Audition Information - Updated 4-23-09
 Download PDF Audition Form
Auditions for the 2008-9 Groups will be April 29-May 8th.  Forms Due April 27th

Jazz Band – by audition only. Open to 10,11,12 graders.
Jazz Band is an advanced two semester class, which focuses on various jazz, rock and popular styles of music. They perform extensively in the community, at festivals, school concerts, and the Spring Trip. Instrumentation for Jazz Band is limited to the following. 2 Alto Saxes, 2 Tenor Saxes, 1 Baritone Sax, 4 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, 1 Drum-set, 1 String Bass, 1 Guitar, 1 piano. If selected, students are expected to maintain their high level of musicianship through private lessons and practice. They also need to commit to possible after- school rehearsals, extra concerts, and other events.

Jazz Band Audition requirements –
Winds - Bb Blues Scale, F Blues Scale, Jazz Solo Improvisation using the 12 bar Bb Blues Pattern, and Sight-reading. (Jamey Aebersold’s “How to play Jazz and Improvise” is a great resource. ANY Aebersold book is good)
Guitar – 2- Solos (one MUST be Jazz-blues). Improvise over 12 bar Bb Blues progression. Sight-reading.
Bass – 2 Solos (one MUST be Jazz-blues) – 1 Walking bass line in 12 bar F blues progression. Sight-reading
Drum-set – Swing Pattern, Bossa Nova Patern, Funk pattern, (all with a steady tempo) Solo, and Sight-read.
Piano – Same as Winds and Guitars as well as playing chords and “comping.”
We require that student purchase a Jazz Shirt. ($20.00) We do fundraising throughout the year to help students earn credits, which help to offset these costs.
Jamey Aebersold books can be found online at www.jazzbooks.com  or Pedrini’s music and Pasadena’s Old Town Music.
 

Symphony Orchestra – Winds, Strings, Percussion, and Piano by audition only.
Symphonic Orchestra is an advanced two-semester class open to all grade levels and is limited to 30 Strings, 2 flutes, 2 clarinets, 2 oboe, 1 bassoon, 2 trumpets, 2 Horn, 2 trombones, 1 tuba, 3 percussionists and 1 piano player. The Symphonic Orchestra plays level “A” Literature and performs at festivals, school concerts, and the Spring Trip. Symphony requires both musical talent and maturity. If selected, students are expected to maintain their high level of musicianship through private lessons and practice. They also are expected to commit to possible after-school rehearsals, extra concerts, the spring trip and other events.

 

Audition requirements –
Winds
1)  Scales - 2 octave minimum
     2 Major, 1 minor (melodic), 1 chromatic
2) Solo (your choice, 2 min. max)
3) Sight Reading


Strings
1) Scales - Quarter note = 120
    Violin / Viola - 2 octave minimum
       2 Major, 1 minor (melodic), 1 chromatic
    Cello - C Major (3/4 octaves), c melodic minor
    (3 octaves), Chromatic
    Bass – F Major & f melodic minor, F chromatic
    (2 octaves)
2) Solo (your choice, 2 min. Max)  
3) Sight Reading


Percussion
1) Scales - 2 octave minimum. 
    2 Major, 1 minor (melodic), 1 chromatic
     (2 mallets on xylophone)
2) Sight Read
3) Solo
Piano
1) Scales - 2 octave minimum. 
    2 Major, 1 minor (harmonic), chromatic (two hands)
2) Sight Read
3) Solo
Musical – Winds, Strings, Percussion, and Piano