Auditioning for Concert Band and
Symphonic Wind Ensemble

Participation in the WSU Concert Band and/or the Symphonic Wind Ensemble is by audition.  Do not let the audition or audition requirements scare you or keep you from participating in a WSU Band.  The audition process is a friendly and non-threatening process.  Auditions generally are for band placement, either Concert Band or Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and for part assignment.  The goal of the WSU Bands is to include every one and exclude no one.  Fall semester auditions take place the first week of classes in August.  Spring Semester auditions are arranged by contacting the Director of Bands (victor.markovich@wichita.edu).

Fall 2012 Dates/Times

Woodwinds and Brass- DFAC Room C-25
          Monday, August 20: 9:30am - 5:00pm
          Tuesday, August 21: 9:30am - 5:00pm
          Wednesday, August 22: 9:30am - 7:00pm
          Thursday, August 23: Re-Auditions

Percussion- DFAC Room C104
          Wednesday, August 22: 2:30pm - 4:30pm

Audition Preparation

Woodwind and Brass

It is to the advantage of all students to prepare for auditions as outlined in item numbers 1,2,3 and 4 that follow.  Item numbers 1,2,3 and 4 are required of all music majors and returning students.  In the event that an incoming Freshman Student or Transfer Student does not have an etude or solo per item numbers 1 and 2, he/she may use band music previously played in high school in lieu of an etude or solo.  All students are asked to prepare to the best of their ability.

1. Select a portion of an etude or solo that demonstrates lyrical musical ability.  This should be a slow melody displaying beauty of tone and accuracy of pitch/intonation as well as displaying emotional playing and phrasing. (Approximate length: 3 minutes)
2. Select a portion of an etude or solo that demonstrates technical musical ability; a fast piece that displays technique (finger dexterity and speed, or slide flexibility) and includes articulated (tongued) and slurred passages.  It is to the advantage of brass players to demonstrate the use of double and triple tonguing. (Approximate length: 3 minutes)
3. Prepare the chromatic scale at a slow tempo throughout the range of the instrument.
4. Prepare a concert B-flat scale at a slow tempo throughout the range of the instrument.
5. Sight-reading will be administered as part of the audition.

Percussion

It is to the advantage of all students to prepare for auditions as outlined in item numbers 1 and 2 that follow.  Item numbers 1 and 2 are required of all music majors and returning students.  In the event that an incoming Freshman Student or Transfer Student does not have items available to preform at the audition, he/she may use band music previously played in high school.  All students are asked to prepare to the best of their ability.

1.  Prepare each of the following:
     a. Xylophone, Marimba, or Vibraphone piece (Approximate      length: 2 minutes)
     b. Snare Drum piece (approximately 1 minute in length)
     c. Timpani piece (approximately 1 minute in length)
2.  Sight-reading will be asked

Audition Sign-Up

Sign up for an audition time on the Band Bulletin Board located outside of Duerksen Fine Arts Center room number C-25.  Allow 10 minutes prior to the audition to complete the on-line Band Personnel Information that will be available at the audition.  Auditions will take approximately fifteen minutes.

Audition Results

Audition results will be posted Friday, August 25, on the Bulletin Board located outside of DFAC C104.