IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS REGARDING DISTRICT BAND AUDITIONS 2016

LOCATION: John Champe High School

DATE: January 7, 2017

ELIGIBILITY: Any student who has been approved/recommended by their band director may audition. Students in grades 9-12 will audition for the High School Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band. Students in grades 6-8 will audition for the Middle School Symphonic Band.

In order to check-in, you must have a ticket from your band director. This shows that you have pre-registered, paid, and have been approved to audition. All those who audition must have been pre-registered by their director.

COST: The cost to audition is $6 PER INSTRUMENT. Students auditioning on more than one instrument (flute/piccolo, HS Bb Clarinet/Eb Clarinet, and MS Percussion) will pay for EACH instrument on which they audition. (For example, a student auditioning on flute and piccolo would pay $12.) Pay your band director this fee.

AUDITION TIME COMMITMENT: Students, and parents who wait for them, can expect to spend up to several hours at the audition site in order to complete the entire audition process. Thisincludes check-in, warm-up, and the audition itself. Every effort will be made to expedite the process, but the ultimate goal is to provide a fair and valid assessment of your child’s musical efforts on that day. This takes time and careful consideration of each student’s performance.

CHECK-IN TIMELINE:

  • 8:00 a.m.: Doors open
  • 8:15 a.m.: Check-in begins for all students assigned Block A.
  • 9:00 a.m.: Auditions begin for Block A.
  • 9:15 a.m.: Check-in begins for all students assigned Block B.
  • 10:00 a.m.: Auditions begin for Block B.
  • 10:15 a.m.: Check-in begins for all students assigned Block C.
  • 11:00 a.m.: Auditions begin for Block C
  • 11:15 a.m.: Check-in begins for all students assigned Block D.
  • 12:00 p.m.: Auditions begin for Block D
  • 12:15 p.m.: Check-in begins for all students assigned Block E.
  • 1:00 p.m.: Auditions begin for Block E
  • 1:15 p.m.: Check-in begins for all students assigned Block F.
  • 2:00 p.m.: Auditions begin for Block F
  • 2:15 p.m.: Check-in begins for all students assigned Block G.
  • 3:00 p.m.: Auditions begin for Block G

*Registration for each block will remain open for 45 minutes.

Be advised, any student wishing to check-in after the assigned check-in time frame described above may be turned away.

There will be a waiting area for parents and chaperones. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

CHECK-IN AND AUDITION PROCEDURE:

  1. Follow the signs to the check-in areas and wait until your scheduled registration time.
  2. Locate the check-in table specific to your instrument and level.
  3. Turn in your ticket and identify yourself using your full name and school.
  4. You will be given instructions and an audition ticket. Keep it with you at all times.
  5. Go to the designated warm-up area for your instrument. Listen for your letter to be called.
  6. When your audition number is called, present yourself to the runner and they will take you to the audition.
  7. Complete the audition. Leave your audition card with the audition room monitor. Make sure that the judges use your correct audition number. You may not talk in the audition room. If you need to ask a question, whisper it to the room monitor, who will then speak to the judges on your behalf. When your audition is finished, you may return to the warm-up area to pack up to leave.
  8. Students who wish to wait around for a ride home may do so in the cafeteria, but results will NOT be posted.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: Most auditions will take place in a single room. Some will take place in several rooms. The audition is only complete when you have played two major scales, a chromatic scale, a sight-reading evaluation, and a prepared etude for every instrument upon which you are auditioning. Student guides will be present to assist you. You may not talk in the audition room.

RESULTS: Official results will not be available at the close of the audition process. You may obtain the results from your band director once they have been made official.

DISTRICT BAND WEEKEND DATES, TIMES, AND LOCATION: February 2, 3, & 4atRiverside High School. February 2is an evening rehearsal from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Remember that in order to participate, each student signs a commitment to participate form. If, for any reason, the student is not able to participate in any part of the event, their future eligibility for district events could be in jeopardy. Students are not permitted to miss any part of any rehearsal or the performance. Please plan accordingly to avoid all conflicts.

RULES OF CONDUCT: It is assumed that all students recognize and understand that they are expected to be on their best behavior throughout the time they are at the audition site. All LoudounCountyPublic School rules will be in effect throughout the day. The host reserves the right to have disruptive people removed from the school grounds.

Finally, please remember that this event is a district-wide event and, as such, is a showcase of the talented musicians we have in our region. Please make every effort to represent your school, your family, and yourself in the best possible light. Good Luck!

Sincerely,

Paul Shoremount, Harmony Middle School

T.J. Miles, Mercer Middle School

Amanda Smith, Dominion Trail Elementary School

Jonathan Phillip, John ChampeHigh School