Freshman Audition Information
1. Where are the auditions?
All auditions are in the Music House which is the little, red brick house on the left in the cul-de-sac at the end of Haynes Street.
2. What to prepare and/or bring with you:
Below you will find audition information that is also posted on my website within the Information on RCHS Music Courses chart:
For Choral Students: No audition material required, but you may choose to bring a one minute selection to sing. The audition will include a warm-up, a one minute vocal selection and a aural rhythmic exercise.
For Band Students:
Woodwinds and Brass - bring a one minute selection to play that illustrates your best playing level. You will also play the District Scales (you may play the Middle School scales). Scales can be found at www.ncbandmasters.org; Central District; All-District Solos and Scales.
Percussion - bring one minute literature selection for mallet keyboard. You will also play from the District Rudiments for Snare (www.ncbandmasters.org; Central District; All-District Solos and Scales)
3. Helpful Information for Choral Students:
- Priority is given to RCHS Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors in the honors groups (Women’s Ensemble and Mixed Ensemble).
- Should these groups fill-up; you will be placed in the Chorus (a really great class that enables you to learn my classroom style and offers a more complete foundation in music history and theory). Following a year in Chorus, you will then have priority for the honors ensemble in the next year.
- The audition is for an “honors” ensemble. Specific placement (Women’s Ensemble or Mixed Ensemble) is at my discretion taking into consideration the voicing needs of the existing choral group.
- Both honors groups require the purchase of formal wear (approximately $98 for women and $115 for men). Should this pose a financial burden, please speak with me.
- We have two concerts per year (Winter and Spring). We participate in state and local choral activities such as: Music Performance Adjudication (formerly called Festival), NC Honors Choir, NC All-State Choir and the UNC-CH All Male Invitational Choral Clinic.
4. Helpful Information for Band Students:
- Seating is often limited for “high demand” instruments: trumpets, alto saxophones, flutes. If you are auditioning for any of these sections, please consider whether or not you would play “lower” in your instrument family (trumpets could easily move to baritone or tuba; alto saxophone could move to tenor or baritone; flutes could consider alto flute) OR take up a new instrument (trumpets could possibly think about trombone or French horn; alto saxophones might consider the clarinet family; flutes might consider French horn). At this time, I will have NO trombones for next year ---- this would be a great opportunity for someone to switch to trombone.
- Do audition for your instrument of choice! If the need arises, I will talk with you about the possibilities that are raised above. I simply wanted you to be aware of a possible situation and have you start thinking “out of the box”.
- We do employ the use of Smart Music in the band program – for playing tests and rhythm assignments. If you aren’t familiar with this great program, check it out as a virtual tour: www.smartmusic.com
- You will be auditioning for the Intermediate Concert Band (642). As Juniors and Seniors you will be eligible for the Advanced Concert Band (645). Look at the Band Handbook on my website for a description of the requirements for honors credit (Advanced Concert Band).
- We have two concerts per year (Winter and Spring). We participate in state events: Central District All-District Auditions and Clinic, Central District Music Performance Adjudication (formerly known as Festival) and the All-State Auditions and Clinic.
- Avoid scheduling your private lessons on Wednesdays. There will be five required sectionals during the year on Wednesdays from 2:45 to 3:15. For more information on this look at the Band Handbook.
Looking forward to hearing and seeing you!
Dr. Brown (DB)