February 2009

 

Dear Prospective Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz I and/or Jazz II Musician,

 

Attached/Enclosed please find the audition packet(s) and score sheet(s) for Arapahoe’s 2009-10 bands.  You will be contacted by one of our Instrumental Instructors to set up an audition time for April 2009.   Please prepare the following for your audition(s):

 

Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band/Concert Band

 

  1. Play a chromatic scale, and as many major scales as possible, from memory (2 or more octaves, if possible).  Play your scales as fast as possible, slurred, & no arpeggios.  Use a metronome when practicing.  Please come prepared to your audition with indicated metronome markings for each of your scales.  Realize that you can not restart any scale.  Only play as fast as you can perform each scale well.

 

  1. Prepare the 2 etudes for whichever band you are auditioning for.  Use your metronome when practicing.  Be as musical as possible.

 

  1. Play the tonguing exercise as fast as possible (first 5 tones of your scale choice).  Come prepared with an indicated metronome marking.

 

  1. Practice for sightreading by challenging yourself every day to read new material.  In your private lessons, sightread duets with your teacher – that’s a great way to improve sightreading.

 

Jazz I/Jazz II

 

  1. Play as many major scales* as possible from memory (2 or more octaves, if possible).  Play your scales as fast as possible, slurred, & no arpeggios.  Use a metronome when practicing.  Please come prepared to your audition with indicated metronome markings for all your scales.

*Jazz I candidates will play jazz minor scales (lowered 3rd & 7th – Dorian Mode).  Jazz II candidates may also play jazz minor scales for double credit.

 

  1. Prepare the Jazz II arrangement, or the 2 Jazz I etudes.  Use your metronome when practicing.  Be as musical as possible.

 

  1. Jazz II candidates have the option of improvising a Bb or F 12 Bar Blues (Practice using a recorded rhythm track – possibly off one of the Aebersold Improvisation Method Recordings).  Jazz I players are required to improvise over the changes to “Perdido” (Aebersold’s Volume 12).

 

  1. Drummers need to practice the listed styles with a metronome.

 

  1. Practice for sightreading by challenging yourself every day to read new material.  In your private lessons, sightread duets with your teacher – that’s a great way to improve sightreading.

 

 

Good Luck everyone!  Practice and prepare hard – that’s the secret to success!!  If you have any questions, please contact me at (303) 347-6031 or ecannava@lps.k12.co.us

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Dr. Ed Cannava

Director of Bands

Arapahoe High School