Spring Audition
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ABOUT
As we close out the year it is time to start planning for our annual spring exam and audition. This only involves current 6th and 7th graders in band as our 8th graders continuing in band should prepare their high school music. Below are the main details for our audition.
DETAILS
Who takes the exam?: Every 6th and 7th grader will take the end of year exam as this is a required grade. If you are signed up for band for the 2024-2025 school year this will also serve as your band placement for next year.
Timeline: Brass and Woodwind students received music on Tuesday 4/2 and will take their exam the week of 4/29- giving them four weeks to prepare. Percussion students will be on an adjusted schedule as they have additional performances that the winds do not. Please reach out to Mr. Carter for any questions.
Audition results: Band placements will be updated on this page once every student has completed their exam. We are aiming to have results posted on Tuesday 5/7, but thank you in advance for your patience as it may take longer if there are absences. Only those staying in band will have their band placement listed. If you originally did not mark band on your schedule and would like a schedule change back into band please let us know asap so we can include you on this list.
Timeline: Brass and Woodwind students received music on Tuesday 4/2 and will take their exam the week of 4/29- giving them four weeks to prepare. Percussion students will be on an adjusted schedule as they have additional performances that the winds do not. Please reach out to Mr. Carter for any questions.
Audition results: Band placements will be updated on this page once every student has completed their exam. We are aiming to have results posted on Tuesday 5/7, but thank you in advance for your patience as it may take longer if there are absences. Only those staying in band will have their band placement listed. If you originally did not mark band on your schedule and would like a schedule change back into band please let us know asap so we can include you on this list.
LINKS
RESULTS LINK will be activated on Tuesday 5/7/23 or once everyone has completed their exam
Music Links
Band Placement: In addition to the grade, your performance will also decide the band placement for students continuing in band next year. Keep in mind that our exam/auditions are not to decide if students can ‘stay in Band’ or not. If you marked Band on your schedule, you are automatically enrolled in one of the Advanced Bands. The audition process is meant to determine which Band students will begin the year in. We cannot stress enough how important it is for your student to prepare for this audition, even if they are not continuing in Band!
Advanced Band Options: There are three advanced bands at Staley.
Are you on ‘the list’: Only students who have signed up for band will have their results posted on the website. If you did not mark band on your schedule you will only receive a grade from your performance (posted in HAC). If you have changed your mind and decided you want to be in band next year, a parent needs to contact their counselor or return our schedule change form to ‘officially’ be placed on the list. Once your name is on the list we will let you know your placement. Note that schedule change forms should be turned in by Friday 5/3 to be added to the results page of the website.
Music: There are three parts to the exam and students can choose how much or how little they prepare.
Scoring: The largest portion of your score, almost two thirds, will come from memorized scales and chromatic. All students have been working on these for months (or longer). Be sure to focus on your TONE, your TUNING, and your TIME. Just because you attempt additional scales or etude variations it does not guarantee you placement into your band. Focus on quality!
Results: Results will be posted on the audition page of the website after every student has auditioned. We hope to finish auditions by Friday, May 3rd and look to post results on Tuesday May 7th. Results will be posted to the website and discussed with the students during class. If you have any questions regarding the results please reach out to Mr. Wood to set up a time to discuss this either over the phone or on an individual zoom conference. Students are encouraged to write down any questions they have ahead of time so they don’t forget.
Advanced Band Options: There are three advanced bands at Staley.
- Concert Band is our Sub Non-Varsity Band (band C on the schedule) and has many of the same goals as Honor Band, but with a smaller class setting (usually 5-10 students) so we can focus on more individual attention.
- Honor Band is the Non-Varsity band (band B on the schedule) and is the next step for almost all musicians completing beginning band. This group focuses on teaching basic ensemble skills without the requirement of performing in district and region level competitions (like the district solo contest or All-Region try-outs). Students CAN still participate in these events but it is not required.
- Finally, Symphonic Band is the Varsity group (band A on the schedule) and is the group that most students achieve after completing a year of Honor Band. This select group focuses on more advanced ensemble skills and prepares students to enter high school band. Members of Symphonic Band are required to also participate in the FISD Solo & Ensemble contest as well as the All-Region Band auditions.
- Our advanced bands are based on ability- not grade level. We can have both 7th and 8th graders in every group if needed.
Are you on ‘the list’: Only students who have signed up for band will have their results posted on the website. If you did not mark band on your schedule you will only receive a grade from your performance (posted in HAC). If you have changed your mind and decided you want to be in band next year, a parent needs to contact their counselor or return our schedule change form to ‘officially’ be placed on the list. Once your name is on the list we will let you know your placement. Note that schedule change forms should be turned in by Friday 5/3 to be added to the results page of the website.
Music: There are three parts to the exam and students can choose how much or how little they prepare.
- Part 1- Scales: All scales will be performed memorized and students will have a two minute time limit ont heir scale audition. All students are REQUIRED to perform one memorized scale. Students wanting to be considered for Honor Band should prepare a minimum of 3 memorized scales. Students wanting to be considered for Symphonic Band should prepare a minimum of 5 memorized scales. Students will earn 30 points per scale performed with 10 points for additional octaves, if available.
- Part 2- Chromatic: All students are REQUIRED to perform a one octave memorized chromatic scale worth 50 points. Students who perform an extended chromatic scale can earn an additional 25 points (75 total) and students who perform the official 'all region chromatic scale' memorized can receive an additional 50 points (100 total). While only one octave is required for Concert and Honor Band, students wanting to be considered for Symphonic Band will need to attempt the full range chromatic scale.
- Part 3- Exam Etude: All students will need to perform the theme of the etude (1st line) using the music provided (up to 20 points). Students wanting to be considered for Honor Band will need to perform the theme and the first two variations (three lines) using the music (up to 50 points). Students auditioning for Symphonic Band will need to perform the theme plus four variations (five lines) with the fifth variation optional for extra credit (up to 100 points).
Scoring: The largest portion of your score, almost two thirds, will come from memorized scales and chromatic. All students have been working on these for months (or longer). Be sure to focus on your TONE, your TUNING, and your TIME. Just because you attempt additional scales or etude variations it does not guarantee you placement into your band. Focus on quality!
Results: Results will be posted on the audition page of the website after every student has auditioned. We hope to finish auditions by Friday, May 3rd and look to post results on Tuesday May 7th. Results will be posted to the website and discussed with the students during class. If you have any questions regarding the results please reach out to Mr. Wood to set up a time to discuss this either over the phone or on an individual zoom conference. Students are encouraged to write down any questions they have ahead of time so they don’t forget.