Band Placement

Placement Process for Returning Wind and Percussion Students into a BAND ENSEMBLE at All Levels

All returning YOBC wind/percussion students will receive placement recommendations from YOBC conductors following season-long evaluation, and for wind students wishing to be considered for placement  in the next ensemble, a formal re-audition. The goals of these evaluations are to:
  • Assess the current skill level of each individual student
  • Aid in determining the most appropriate ensemble placement for each student
  • Aid in determining seating placement within ensembles and orchestral recommendations
  • Aid in repertoire selection for the following season

Students wishing to be considered for the next ensemble MUST REQUEST A FORMAL AUDITION.

Audition Requirements:

Returning wind students who would like to be considered for placement in the next ensemble should follow these steps.

  • Ensure you meet the requirements listed below.
  • Discuss all of the requirements with your private teacher to determine whether you are ready to request an audition this year.
  • Request an audition.
  • Carefully prepare all of the required audition materials listed below.

Requirements for Wind Symphony Students Wishing to be Considered for Wind Ensemble

  • You must be able to play your current Wind Symphony music at the mastery level with careful attention to rhythmic accuracy, articulations, dynamics, musical interpretation, good tone and intonation.
  • You and your private teacher must agree that it is appropriate for you to audition for Wind Ensemble this year. Wind Ensemble is a high-school level group and is most appropriate for students in at least 8th  However, if you are in 6th grade or above and your teacher feels you are ready, you may request an audition.
  • You must work with your teacher to prepare the following music with careful attention to rhythmic accuracy, articulations, dynamics, musical interpretation, good tone and intonation.

REQUIRED AUDITION MUSIC 

  1. A solo which represents your best technical accomplishment. Your solo should be at the difficulty of at least the Middle School Band Solos for 2018-19 Band music is not acceptable.
  2. Scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats and a 2 octave chromatic scale which demonstrate your range on your instrument.

Returning Wind Ensemble Students Wishing to be Considered for Fanfare Winds

  • You must be able to play your current Wind Ensemble music at the mastery level with careful attention to rhythmic accuracy, articulations, dynamics, musical interpretation, good tone and intonation
  • You and your private teacher must agree that it is appropriate for you to audition for Fanfare Winds this year.
  • You must work with your teacher to prepare the following music with careful attention to rhythmic accuracy, articulations, dynamics, musical interpretation, good tone and intonation.

REQUIRED AUDITION MUSIC

  1. Two solos or etudes (or excerpts) which demonstrate your best technical accomplishment. Solo should be at least as difficult as the High School Instrumental Solos for 2018-19
  2. All major scales performed in octaves and tempos which demonstrate your best technical skills and range on your instrument

Returning Fanfare Winds Students will not need to re-audition.

Percussion Requirements

Current percussion students will be evaluated by the percussion specialist and placement will be determined based on conductor recommendations.

Please Note:   All YOBC percussionists are required to participate in Percussion Ensemble and a band ensemble.   Some students will also be recommended for participation in a YOBC orchestra (Symphony Orchestra or Philharmonia)

Parents and students will be notified of their band ensemble placement in early May. Orchestral notifications will be sent out separately.
Click here for information on placement into Orchestra assignments (Symphony Orchestra & Philharmonia)