High School Band
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HS Band Audition Procedures

For 2020-21, all auditions will be uploaded as mp3 files to Festival Scores.
  1. Auditions are to be blind with the student behind a screen. Exception: percussionists will audition within view of the judges.
  2. Auditions for SEKMEA High School Honor Ensembles will be live auditions with the following exception: The only allowable exception is for students unable to attend district auditions due to participation in NAfME All-National Ensembles. The procedure for a recorded audition will be as follows:
    1. Teacher will take a video recording of the student performing the entire audition material in one take.
    2. Submit to the district President no later than 7 days before auditions.
    3. The district President will review the audition to ensure the correct person auditioned and done in one take.
    4. The President will then forward an audio-only copy to the appropriate ensemble chair who will be responsible for playing the appropriate cut of the audition for judges on audition day.
  3. In case of instrumentation shortages, the chairperson will fill spots, according to audition information, as they deem necessary.
Audition Material for Wind Players
  1. A full range chromatic scale slurred up and tongued down. Quarter Note MM= 120. Memorization is not required.
  2. One major scale, either D or A-flat. Quarter Note MM= 120. Memorization is not required. All scales will start on the lowest possible starting note in the practical range. Each scale is non-transposed (i.e., if a trumpet player is asked to perform a C scale, they will be expected to perform a C scale on their instrument, not a C concert scale.) The major scale for each instrument will be posted by the band chairpersons on the morning of live auditions.
  3. Sections of the required etudes/solos listed below. Further cuts may be determined by judges the day of auditions and posted clearly outside the audition room.
  4. Sight reading

Audition Material for Percussionists

Snare Drum
  1. Play a rudimental long roll - open, close, open (slow, fast, slow).
  2. Play the first audition excerpt.
  3. Play the second audition excerpt.
  4. Sight-read
Timpani
  1. Play the first audition excerpt.
  2. Play the second audition excerpt.
  3. Sight-read
Mallets
  1. Play two octaves of one of the following concert scales: Concert D Major and A-flat Major.
  2. Play the first audition excerpt.
  3. Play the second audition excerpt.
  4. Sight-read
 
Chairperson
Nancy Riecker
Waverly, KS

Important Dates - HS Band
Nov. 4, 2020 - Wed
Audition upload deadline — HS Honor Groups
Late entries will not be accepted
$4 choir, $5 jazz/concert band/orchestra, no late fees this year
Dec. 5, 2020 - Sat
HS Band, HS Choir, HS Orchestra performances
Cancelled
Pittsburg State University, Bicknell Center
$5 participation fee per selected student
In-person festivals are cancelled for 2020-21
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