HS Band Audition Info & Procedures
2023-24HS Band Info
- Band student's grades 9 through 12 are eligible to audition for this group.
- Every school with students auditioning for band/choir will be guaranteed at least one student placed in either the band or choir.
- Excerpts will be taken from the state audition list which may be found on the state website (ksmea.org/hsband). Scales and sight-reading will also be part of the audition.
- If a student is auditioning for both the band and choir, please indicate this on the Student Registration Form and also indicate the student's "first choice" if he/she is selected for both groups. No changes in preference (band or choir) may be made after the registration deadline by a student or instructor.
- All students who are auditioning MUST be accompanied by their instructor and the instructor will be required to participate in judging/audition activities. In the event of an emergency, the director must send a qualified substitute to judge or help with auditions. Please return the Band Judging Preference Form so we may assign you to your preferred area of judging.
- Results of the band auditions will be posted on the district website as soon as they are available.
- ALL auditions are to be blind with the student behind a screen.
- ALL auditions for SEKMEA High School Band 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:
- The student's teacher will take a video recording of the student performing the entire audition material in one take.
- Submit the video recording to the District President no later than 7 days before the actual audition date.
- The District President will review the audition to ensure the correct person auditioned and the recording was done in one take.
- The District President will then forward an audio-only copy to the appropriate ensemble chairperson who will be responsible for playing the appropriate cut of the audition for judges on audition day.
- In case of instrumentation shortages, the chairperson will fill spots, according to audition information, as they deem necessary.
NOTICE - SEKMEA will draw from the same audition material as KMEA. For wind instruments, instrument specific audition packets can be found here: KMEA All-State Winds and Percussion Audition Excerpts. Percussion requirements are listed in the provided link as well as below. For the 2023-24 audition cycle percussionists will audition out of the same solo/etude books as last year.
Music Requirements for the Live Audition (Wind Players)
- A chromatic scale slurred up and tongued down, quarter note MM= 60, as written on the instrument specific audition packet.
- One major scale, as written on the instrument specific audition packet, with up to 4 sharps or 4 flats. Quarter Note MM= 60. Memorization is not required. All scales will start on the notes indicated on the scale sheet for their instrument. 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.
- Sections from the required etudes/solos in the instrument specific audition packet.
- Sight reading.
Music Requirements for the Live Audition (Percussionists)
- Selections from the required etudes/solos as listed below.
- Sight reading.
NOTICE - The following percussion excerpts will be used for 2023-24 only.
Timpani
26 Etudes, The Solo Timpanist, Vic Firth, published by Carl Fischer (04402).
Play all of Etude II and Etude III.
Beginning of Etude III, M.M. dotted-quarter = 69.
Mallets
Masterpieces for Marimba, arr. Thomas McMillan, published by Belwin/Warner Bros. (PROBK 1202).
Play page 10 and 11: "Sonata" by Handel.
Observe the first repeat; omit the second repeat.
Snare Drum
Portraits in Rhythm, 50 Studies for Snare Drum, Anthony Cirone, published by Belwin Mills (HAB 101).
Play all of Etude #11 on page 13.
Play all of Etude #6 on page 8.
Excerpt Reductions
Excerpt reductions for SEKMEA Wind and Percussion auditions will be posted by September 1, 2023.