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WEST SUBURBAN HOME SCHOOL BAND
2013-2014 AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO ALL THOSE AUDITIONING FOR
Concert Junior, Concert Senior or Symphonic Band
Beginners, known as Cadets, need not audition.
Please use the link at the bottom of this page to see Cadet Requirements.
IMPORTANT DATES
Thursday, July 18, 2013, 9AM – 9PM,
is the date Concert Senior and Symphonic audition sheet music will be released. This
sheet music will be available at the director’s home in Winfield, not far from the
intersection of Roosevelt and Winfield Roads. Contact the director if you need the address
and/or directions. Under no circumstances will audition sheet music be mailed or released
early to accommodate vacation schedules. You will have to make other arrangements, such as
having another band member pick it up for you.
Also, you may not simply "show-up" at the director's home on this day
and expect to receive audition sheet music. Current members must have filled in the Band
Commitment form. New people should have had prior contact with the director to let her
know for which band(s) they intend to audition. Without
the Band Commitment from current members or prior contact from new people, no music packet
will be prepared for you and you will have to arrange with the director for pick-up at a
later time.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013, 9AM – 9PM,
is the deadline by which all audition videos need to be delivered to the director’s
home.
JUNIOR, SENIOR AND SYMPHONIC
MEMBERSHIP IN WSHSB BY AUDITION ONLY
Note: No audition is necessary for beginners.
See link to Cadet Requirements at the bottom of this page.
Our Concert Season runs throughout the school year; fall through
spring. Those who wish to be part of the WSHSB Annual Summer Chair Competition must submit
an audition video by the deadline in August. AUDITIONING FOR A PARTICULAR BAND DOES
NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE IN THAT BAND. There may also be limits in instrument sections
within each band level. The Concert Season roster is set by the end of August.
However, once the audition video deadline has passed you are still able to join by
submitting an audition video with the following understanding. You will be placed in the
band where we feel you fit best and you will be at the end of the roster for your
instrument. Those who do not submit an audition video will not
receive music and WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED A MEMBER OF THE BAND.
AUDITION CLARIFICATIONS
While you may audition for more than one band, you must audition for
each band on the instrument you intend to play in that band. Each audition must be COMPLETELY
NEW for 2013-2014 with ALL REQUIRED ELEMENTS as defined within each audition. This
audition video requirement applies to all new applicants, as well as all returning
members.
NEW FOR 2013-2014 - Due to increasing conflicts, all members will be required to turn
in a list of their known absences with their summer audition. The required form will be
provided in your audition packet.
We would also like to impress upon you that the band(s)
for which you choose to audition has a direct effect on planning for our next concert
season. The balance and number of instruments affects the composition of each band as well
as the selection of music. We will not be able to accommodate changes once you choose an
instrument and band level. Any requests of this nature will be considered for the
following concert year.
First Chair Expectations - Earning first
chair/principal confers upon a player an important title. But there are responsibilities
that come with the position. The director and band rely on each principle to take on
leadership for his section. These expectations increase commensurately with each band
level. As lead, he is expected to:
 | Attend band regularly with minimal to no absences |
| Be the most skilled performer and an example of "how to do it" to the rest of
the section |
| Play most if not all the solos |
| Be called upon to "model" a difficult passage for the rest of the section |
| Be responsible for leading sectionals as needed |
If a student is not prepared or willing to accept such a degree of responsibility, he
should state on his video that he would rather not have 1st chair.
No member has the authority to bypass the audition process by acquiring another
band's/instrument's music or inserting themselves into a band they never auditioned for.
This is different from being a (director-approved) helper on your primary instrument in
another band, which does not require an extra audition to fulfill that role. There are
also times when the director may request a member's help, crossing the band lines, but
these kinds of situations always require the director's knowledge and approval.
AUDITION VIDEO FORMAT
Both VHS videotape and DVD-R formats are acceptable. (Use
DVR-R format only, do not use DVD+R or DVD+/-RW for recording.) Because of the
large number of auditions, it has become too cumbersome to have more than one audition on
a tape or DVD. Each COMPLETE audition must be on ONE separate, brand-new, fully rewound
VHS or new DVD-R.
YouTube Option
70% or more of last year's auditions were submitted on YouTube and that has
worked out very well. However, if you choose to use this method there are three conditions
that must be met:
- Do not set your YouTube to private.
- You must email the link(s) to the director only at director@wshsb.com.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should videos be sent to Mrs. W-P.
- All YouTube links for one audition must come together in ONE email or
they will not be accepted. It is not the director's responsibility to put parts
together from various emails over time. It is too scattered considering the volume of
incoming emails. The same applies if updating only one segment. The updated audition link
must be resubmitted in ONE email with all other links for that audition.
Recording their audition in the comfort of their own home allows students to record
their best playing or go back and re-record something they are not happy with. Even if you
feel that your video is not very good, submit it anyway - you have nothing to lose. Having
a video allows the directors to be able to go back and re-listen to a student. If you do
not own a videotape or DVD recorder, you will need to borrow one from a friend or
relative. The director is not able to assist in making your recording.
TEST DVD BEFORE SUBMITTING
This applies only to those submitting their audition on DVD. For various reasons, we have
had considerable problems with DVD's that will not play on a commercial (for home use) DVD
player. In order to be sure your DVD will play properly it must be "finalized"
when created. Before submitting your video you need to give it a test run on a commercial
(for home use) DVD player, not on a computer DVD drive.
LABEL THE VIDEO
Clearly label the videotape or DVD and its case with the student's name,
instrument, and band the audition is for.
RECORDING
Stand on the floor or sit on a solid chair, and use
a music stand. Do not set the music on a table or in your case, or have another person
hold it while you perform. Do not sit on a sofa, soft chair or bed.
Record your audition from the side and NOT from the front. Playing directly into the
microphone can distort the sound. We also want to be able to see your embouchure and
finger or hand technique. Tubas, be sure to film on the side that we can see your face.
Use a new DVD-R or video-tape for each individual audition. Tapes should be brand-new
and fully rewound so the recording starts at the beginning of the tape.
For recording (Note: these steps are also included within each band's audition
requirements)
| At the beginning of the recording clearly state your first and last name
and announce which band and instrument the audition is for. |
| If you are not interested in being 1st chair, assuming a leadership
position and playing solos, please say so at the beginning of your recording. There is
much expected of a principle player. |
| Announce each selection before playing e.g.; Bb chromatic scale, passage
name, etc. |
| Everything must be played with a metronome at the designated
tempo where specified. |
| VERY IMPORTANT - You may choose to record parts of your audition on
different days or at different times. However, there is to be no break or editing within
any passage/exercise/scale. If you make a mistake or stop within a passage, etc., leave
the video running and pick-up where you left off. Points will be deducted for breaks in
the recording, other than at measured rests. One or two measures of rest should be counted
out on the video. Where there are three or more measures of rest, leave the video running,
pause playing and announce, "I am continuing at measure ___." Resume playing at
that measure. While making your audition video if you record any
passage/exercise/scale more than once you must edit that video to a final video with only
one take of each audition requirement. |
| AUDITION VIDEOS MUST BE AT THE DIRECTOR'S HOME BY 9PM, AUGUST 14,
2013. |
ROSTER PLACEMENT
One's ability to commit/attend band will be taken into greater consideration in roster
placement.
AUDITIONING FOR A PARTICULAR BAND DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE IN THAT BAND. You will be placed in a band level based on your proficiency and the
needs within each section and band. There may also be limits in instrument
sections within each band level. After the directors have reviewed and evaluated all
audition tapes, band assignments will be made and the roster set by the end of August. The
SYMPHONIC band will be set first, followed by CONCERT SENIOR and then CONCERT JUNIOR.
Assignments will remain for the duration of the concert season and will not change, unless
initiated by the director alone. Students will not be allowed to "promote" or
change bands during the year, unless invited by the director. For example, this may be
done for musical/instrumentation needs.
It is important to remember that each student is placed
on their own ability as compared to all of the other students on that instrument. It is
sometimes difficult to realize that you are joining a band program with upperclassmen who
have continued to practice and study their instruments throughout high school. Some very
good players will be placed in Concert Junior Band. This means that the quality of all of
our bands is continuously improving.
CONFLICTS WITH BAND
We are asking parents to help guide their students to make prudent, responsible and
reasonable decisions about their commitment choices and instilling the importance of
following through and fulfilling them to the best of their ability. Students can only do
what their parents will allow.
Just as students in traditional school have band during their school day, and receive a
grade and credit on their transcript, the same can be done for a homeschooler. If you are
not already doing so, you too can give your student a grade and a credit and enter it on
their transcript. They can be graded for progressing in their musical skills, putting in
regular practice hours between rehearsals, and following through with their band
commitment by faithfully attending weekly rehearsals, dress rehearsals and concerts.
Since the band was founded almost 13 years ago there has been a tremendous increase in
the number of extracurricular activities available to homeschoolers. Some of the
activities where we see the most conflicts are with organized sports, youth theater,
speech & debate, and outside membership in a local high school band. Wanting to take
advantage of and experience a wide variety of things, students are over-committing
themselves and are often shortchanging the groups they decided to join. It seems that a
minimalist attitude surfaces where the question becomes "What is the least I can do
and still belong?" One activity is weighed against the other and somewhere, a group
that is counting on you loses out. In the case of band, when a principal misses, a crucial
or exposed part may go vacant. If that part is covered by another student then their part
goes vacant. That is just one example.
Life involves making choices, being faithful to one's commitments, taking pride in what
we do and doing the best we can do. It's not always easy but it's always worth it and
builds character.
WHAT YOU DO AFTER THE AUDITION, MATTERS
The directors reserve the right to change roster positions and/or part assignments as
needed to benefit the band. We have had to make these changes in the past and regret when
we are left with that difficult decision due to infractions in the following areas.
Regular, weekly attendance, attitude, overall behavior and cooperative spirit are
all taken very seriously. One’s attendance record weighs very heavily. It is a
major factor and catalyst influencing a roster position or part assignment change. This is
especially true for those with higher chairs. A student may turn in an outstanding
audition, earning them a top chair. However, they need to realize it is more than just a
title. Much time, thought and prayer go into making the assignments. By conferring the
title, it is expected the student will accept it as a serious personal responsibility and
deeper personal commitment to the band, the director and its members. Indeed, we need all
students to take their commitment to band seriously and are gratified by all those who do
so. The directors add, "We expect good attendance throughout the year. It is crucial
to the entire band and to the success of the concert that all 3 rehearsals
before a concert are not missed by any percussionist or wind musician. Failure to do so
may result in a change in part assignment, roster position, or possible exclusion from a
concert."
Click here for the 2013-2014
CONCERT JUNIOR AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Click here for the 2013-2014
CONCERT SENIOR AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Click here for the 2013-2014
SYMPHONIC AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Click here for the 2013-2014 CADET
(Beginner) REQUIREMENTS
Rev. June 10, 2013
- Email
Click here for General
Information
Click here for Musical Director
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