Bedford MS Bands

BNL BAND DEPARTMENT

announces

AUDITIONS

for

WIND ENSEMBLE  2013-2014

and

JAZZ ENSEMBLE  2013-2014

GENERAL INFORMATION: Read the following page for a complete description of Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. Please fill out the last page completely and bring it with you to your audition.

            Auditions for BNL students will take place during February 19-22.  Auditions for 8^th-graders will take place during your band class during the week of Feb. 19-22.  Scales do not have to be memorized.  If you cannot play the entire range printed, play what you can.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS– Students who audition will play the scales and musical excerpts included in the packet of music which you can get from your Director.  Students who choose to audition for Jazz Ensemble, whether or not in addition to Wind Ensemble, will be required to play a jazz excerpt along with some scales (available from your Director).

SCALES:    Concert B flat, E flat, and F major sales

  1.     Tongue the first time up and down as printed.

  2.     Slur the second time up and down as printed.

  3.     The faster and more accurate, the better

Chromatic scale beginning on Concert F and encompassing one or two octaves.

       1.     Tongue the first time up and down as printed.

       2.     Slur the second time up and down as printed.                                  

       3.     The faster and more accurate, the better.

       4.     If you cannot play the entire range, play what you can.

                      PREPARED MUSIC:  This is included with the Major and Chromatic Scales.

SIGHT READING:  You will be required to play a short excerpt of music at sight.

PERCUSSION: Students who audition for percussion will be required to:

1.    play the same scales on marimba as required of all other instruments.

2.    play all three of the short excerpts for:

                                    Snare Drum, Mallets, and Timpani.  Strive to play all of the music.

REMEMBER TO FILL OUT THE LAST PAGE COMPLETELY AND RETURN IT AT THE TIME OF YOUR AUDITION.  Do not hesitate to ask your Director for help with any of the audition music.

WIND ENSEMBLE (Blue Band)

Grade Level: 9-12                                                                                Term: All year (2 credits)

Prerequisite:  Membership is by audition only and is open to all band students in grades 8-11 who have successfully participated in their respective high school or middle school band for the current year.

            The Wind Ensemble is the most advanced of the three concert bands at BNL.  Students who are selected will have displayed a high level of musical proficiency in technique, tone quality, rhythm and counting, intonation, and expression.  Auditions are held in February for the upcoming year, and participation is required for the entire school year to make it fair to students who are not selected and to maintain balance of instrumentation.  Membership is limited to a specific instrumentation determined by the Director of Bands.  Students who are selected for Wind Ensemble are also eligible and encouraged to participate in the Symphony Orchestra, as per instrumentation needs and the approval of the Orchestra Director.

            The Wind Ensemble performs music of a medium-advanced to advanced level, incorporating a wide range of styles.  Performances generally include the following: 4 or 5 formal concerts, ISSMA and/or IMEA Organizational Contest, Commencement in May, and, upon occasion, concert or festival tours. 

            Concert attire is as follows: Girls: a formal (not short length) which each girl provides.  Boys: a tuxedo (which is provided) and a white dress shirt, black dress slacks, black socks, and black dress shoes which each boy provides.  Instruction and assessment will include group singing/playing, individual singing/playing, and written work.  Individual practice outside of class is expected.  Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is the backbone of achievement in a performance group such as this one.  Points earned to establish a grade for this class are based on three components:  Participation (daily, after-school, and concerts), Performance Level (as assessed by playing/singing tests and teacher observation), and Written Assignments.  Written explanation from a parent as to the reason for an absence from any of the three component areas is required and will be assessed as excused or unexcused.  Except in extreme last minute emergencies, notes concerning absences must be submitted before the missed event if at all possible.  Excused absences will be considered for make-up points.  Unexcused absences will not be considered for make-up points.  Points will be assigned to each component and the grading scale will be applied.  

JAZZ ENSEMBLE

Grade Level: 9-12                                                                                Term: All year (2 credits)

Prerequisite:  Membership is by audition only and is open to all band students in grades 8-11 who have successfully participated in their respective high school or middle school band the current year.  Prior experience playing in jazz ensemble is helpful but not required.  All styles of jazz are covered, and a great deal of time is spent on the development of improvisational skills.  Except in rare occurrences of scheduling conflicts, students enrolled in Jazz Ensemble are expected to participate in a concert band.  Students who audition for piano, guitar, or bass may not necessarily have played a wind or percussion instrument in a concert band prior to auditioning for Jazz Ensemble and, therefore, may not necessarily be expected to participate in a concert band. 

            The Jazz Ensemble performs music of a variety of styles and difficulty levels, and performance opportunities generally include the following: 2 formal concerts, local and regional jazz festivals, ISSMA and/or IMEA playing contest, and various school or community-related functions. 

            Instruction and assessment will include group singing/playing, individual singing/playing, and written work.  Individual homework/practice will be expected.  Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is the backbone of achievement in a performance group such as this one.  Points earned to establish a grade for this class are based on three components:  Participation (daily, after-school, and concerts), Performance Level (as assessed by playing/singing tests and teacher observation), and Written Assignments.  Written explanation from a parent as to the reason for an absence for any of the three component areas is required and will be assessed as excused or unexcused.  Except in extreme last minute emergencies, notes concerning absences must be submitted before the missed event if at all possible.  Excused absences/failure to participate will be considered for make-up points.  Unexcused absences will not be considered for make-up points.  Points will be assigned to each component and the school grading scale will be applied.  

            Concert attire for Jazz Ensemble may vary according to the performance setting, but generally speaking, boys will wear dress slacks, dress shirt, and tie, and girls will wear dresses or dress slacks and a blouse or sweater.  Recently, the color of choice has been black.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING COMPLETELY AND RETURN IT AT THE TIME OF YOUR AUDITION. 

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Carefully cut or tear along dotted line – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

STUDENT’S NAME ____________________________________________

GRADE________  SCHOOL NOW ATTENDING _________________________________

INSTRUMENT ____________________________ NLCS STUDENT ID # ______________

ADDRESS __________________________________________________________________

CITY _____________________________ZIP ____________PHONE ___________________

PARENTS’  NAMES __________________________________________________________

I (parent) give my permission for my son/daughter to audition for the BNL Wind Ensemble and/or Jazz Ensemble. We (parent and student) understand that membership is required for the entire 2013-2014 school year to make it fair to students who are not selected for these groups and to maintain balance of instrumentation.  Further, membership in one of the three concert bands (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, or Concert Band) is expected for students to be enrolled in Jazz Ensemble during Period 8 (with certain exceptions – see course descriptions on previous page and/or talk with Mr. Lackey directly.)

Student’s Printed Name ________________________________________

Student’s Signature _________________________________________

Parent’s Signature _________________________________________