Placement & Auditions

CURRICULAR BANDS

All incoming freshmen will be placed in Concert Band, which will allow consistent curriculum using data and measurable objectives. Technology such as performing assessments, Smart Music®, technique classes, chamber ensembles, pull out sectionals, and individual performance/writing portfolios will be implemented.

Symphonic Band will be a non-auditioned ensemble for sophomores through seniors.

Wind Symphony placement will require an abbreviated audition of the Wind Ensemble excerpts, open to sophomores through seniors. Wind Ensemble placement will require the full Wind Ensemble Audition, open to sophomores through seniors.

PLEASE NOTE: All curricular band students are required to perform at three "community" performances per year. These requirements can be easily fulfilled with pep band. This will be part of their second semester grade.

Throughout the year, the directors will assess the students' ability to perform scales, etudes, band music, 26 snare drum rudiments (percussion), intonation, etc. The directors will explain the minimum proficiency before the assessment (for example, "you must play the IMEA with six mistakes or less"). At the directors' discretion, this assessment may be live, cassette recorded at home, or videotaped at school.

Auditions for the following year's curricular bands take place in the early spring of the preceding school year. Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony audition information and music will be provided to all interested students by their band director.

By auditioning for Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony, you are affirming a higher level of commitment. This includes such required events as Solo and Ensemble and weekend competitions.

• Wind Ensemble Audition (Spring)

All students wishing to try out for Wind Ensemble must take the Wind Ensemble Audition, although taking the Wind Ensemble Audition does not guarantee a student placement in that band. Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Alstadt, consists of sophomores, juniors and seniors, and is the most demanding of all the curricular ensembles.

The Wind Ensemble Audition consists of the advanced etudes selected by the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) auditions. The IMEA scales will also be included. Sight-reading may or may not be included. The audition packet consists of the music for your particular instrument, NCHS band curriculum information, and the Audition Intent Form.

• Wind Symphony Audition (Spring)

All students wishing to try out for Wind Symphony must take the Wind Symphony Audition, which is an abbreviated version of the Wind Ensemble Audition. Taking the Wind Symphony Audition does not guarantee a student placement in that band. Wind Symphony consists of sophomores through seniors and is under the direction of Mr. Estes.

The Wind Symphony Audition consists of experpts of the etudes selected by the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA). A Major and Melodic Minor scale sheet will also be included in the audition. Sight-reading will be included in the audition as well. The audition packet consists of the music for your particular instrument, NCHS band curriculum information, and the Audition Intent Form.

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EXTRA-CURRICULAR BANDS

Students may participate in extra-curricular bands even if they are not in a curricular band.

• Drumshow Placement (Winter)

The NCHS Drumshow cast is selected each year before winter break (exact dates TBA). The cast is selected by the process of individual auditions, and materials for the auditions are distributed exactly one month beforehand (November). Students do not need to be members of a curricular band to be a member of Drumshow, but it is strongly recommended.

• Steel Drum Placement (Winter)

At this time, Steel Drum bands are open to all District 203 high school students. There is one advanced high school steel band that meets after school two days per week and two steel bands that meet one night per week. Selection for the Advanced Steel Pan Ensemble is entirely at the discretion of directors and by invitation only.

• Marching Band Orientation (Spring)

There is no formal audition for the wind section in the marching band. (Percussion placement and Color Guard/Spirits is by audition). Orientation for the Marching Redhawks occurs in the spring and all interested students will be given an overview of the program. We will also learn the concept of the fall field show. At the end of orientation, the band directors will offer contracts to students exhibiting the interest, enthusiasm and positive attitude necessary to become a Marching Redhawk.

Any student wishing to become a member of the Marching Redhawks should fill out and return the Marching Band Orientation Intent Form by the date indicated on the form. Exact dates for the orientation will be posted in the band room, on the website, and given to the junior high band directors for incoming freshmen.

• Drum Major Auditions

Auditions for prospective drum majors are held prior to marching band orientation. Anyone Interested in auditioning to become a drum major should attend the Drum Major Clinic and must submit an essay. The date for this clinic is available from the Band Office and is also posted on the main calendar on the website. Drum major auditions consist of three sessions. All students wishing to audition for drum major must attend all three sessions to be considered.

• Drumline (Battery) and Front Ensemble (Pit) Auditions

• Jazz Auditions (JSO in Spring; All Others in Fall)

Auditions for Jazz Studio Orchestra will occur in the spring for the following year. Some summer sectionals and rehearsals will be called. We will begin rehearsals the first day of school during band/lunch 6th hour.

There are no auditions for Jazz Lab. Auditions for Jazz Band will take place in the fall. The audition material will be distributed in early fall. Students wishing to participate should plan on auditions in mid-September. All Jazz Band and Jazz Lab sectionals and combos will start in November, after marching band season has ended. It is our intent to never cause conflicts with curricular and extra-curricular ensembles, forcing a student to choose.

The audition material for Jazz Band is F Blues, Bb Rhythm Changes (optional/via Jamey Abersold), and selected musical etudes. Exact dates for all auditions will be posted in the band room and on the website.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: All extra-curricular band students (or their parents) are required to volunteer for three (3) fundraising shifts per band, per year. (For example, if you are in marching band and a jazz band, you must volunteer for six fundraising shifts during the year.)