Auxiliary Instruments
Students interested in trying out new instruments will get the opportunity towards the beginning of second semester. The instruments available are percussion, saxophone, horn, tuba, euphonium, oboe and bassoon. Only a few select students will be chosen to switch to these instruments. In order to be selected, students must exhibit exemplary behavior, skill on their primary instrument and talent on their new instrument of choice. Students wishing to audition will need to attend practice sessions scheduled by the band director [TBD].
Percussion Auditions: TBD
6th grade band students interested in playing in the percussion section have to audition. A total of 4 students will be chosen to join the percussion section. Competition for these percussion spots is usually fierce. Extensive preparation is critical to being successful in an audition. The audition will consist of a piece that students will have to perform on their current instrument, a snare solo and a keyboard exercise. I have also included links to the Vic Firth website. This is the best [free] resource online for learning the basic techniques of a percussionist. You will need to look at both the snare and keyboard sections of the site. For the snare, focus on the grip, the basic stroke [rebound], rolls and flams. For the keyboard percussion, focus on the grip and basic stroke as well as sticking considerations. You may want to purchase a pair of drum sticks [vic Firth SD1] to practice with at home.
Vic Firth Percussion 101: Snare
Vic Firth Percussion 101: Keyboard
Vic Firth Percussion 101: Snare
Vic Firth Percussion 101: Keyboard
Saxophone Auditions: TBD
6th grade band students interested in playing the saxophone have to audition. A total of 2 to 3 students will be chosen to join the sax section. Competition for these saxophone spots is usually fierce. Extensive preparation is critical to being successful in an audition. The audition will consist of a piece and scales that students will have to perform on their current instrument.
WANTED: Horn Players
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS!!! We need students to learn the Horn in F [aka the french horn] in every grade level. I need a minimum of two in each grade, but would love to have up to four students playing horn. Trumpet and flute players make great horn players. The instrumentation of our band is not complete without horns.
Why play horn? Any of the really epic movie, video game or classical music you hear is full of horns. Horn players are highly sought after by colleges and universities.
Why play horn? Any of the really epic movie, video game or classical music you hear is full of horns. Horn players are highly sought after by colleges and universities.