CONESTOGA HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC COURSE

SELECTION AND AUDITIONS

Audition Dates:VFMS 01/21/15TEMS 01/22/15

2016 CONESTOGA HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC COURSE

SELECTION AND AUDITIONS

AUDITION DATES: VFMS 01/21/2015 TEMS 01/22/2015

CONESTOGA HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC COURSE SELECTION AND AUDITIONSMr. Nation and Ms. Hesse will be coming to VFMS on 01.21.16 and TEMS on 01.22.16

IntroductionWelcome 8th grade instrumental music students! Very soon, you will be scheduling your music courses for 9th grade. We are very hopeful that you will continue to participate in the wealth of musical opportunities at Conestoga High School. Instrumentalists of all abilities have the opportunity to participate in at least one performing group. Rehearsal times for most Conestoga performance groups are scheduled within the regular 8-period school day: a big change compared to the middle school schedule. Those who sing and/or play an instrument(s) are able to schedule multiple performing group courses with relative ease. Additionally, more performing group courses are offered at Conestoga in order to accommodate musicians of various talents. All students will receive a Program of Studies from the Guidance Counselor that clearly the requirements

Auditions

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Results Conestoga High School Instrumental Music students,

audition results will be sent to each middle school JUST PRIOR TO THE COURSE SELECTION DEADLINE. 8th grade students will select their instrumental ensembles for next year based on these results.

Woodwind and BrassConcert Band and Marching Band are performing ensembles open to all woodwind and brass players. An audition is NOT required to participate in these ensembles. All woodwind and brass players may waive their audition and participate in Concert Band and/or Marching Band. A limited number of woodwind and brass instrumentalists are selected for Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra each school year. These two advanced ensembles are for students who demonstrate a high level of pr on their instrument. Acceptance into Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra for woodwind and brass players is by audition only. All woodwind and brass players that do not make Wind Ensemble or Symphony Orchestra or who did not complete and audition are encouraged to sign up for Concert Band.

This will give us the opportunity to meet you and discuss the options available to you at Conestoga. All students should prepare to play Excerpt #1 for their instrument, as well as the scales listed for your instrument in this packet. For students interested in auditioning for an advanced ensemble (see below), please prepare Excerpt #1, Excerpt #2, and scales. Also, please be prepared to perform a sight reading excerpt on the day of the audition. Students only need to perform the bracketed sections of each excerpt. For students interested in auditioning for jazz, please prepare the additional jazz selections included in the packet. excerpts include: trumpet, saxophone, trombone, drum set, guitar, bass and piano.

and opportunities that each performing ensemble o�ers at Conestoga High School.

This year, we are asking that all students schedule a time to play for the high school instrumental directors.

Considering we are also auditioning current

Music ElectivesMusic electives are also offered in addition to performing ensembles. Courses include Broadway Musical Theater, Music Production, Music Theory, AP Music Theory, History of Pop, Rock, and Jazz, Piano Lab, Beginning Guitar, and Advanced Guitar. All music students are strongly encour-aged to participate in the music electives. Detailed course descriptions are located in the Program of Studies.

PercussionAll percussionists are expected to complete and audition. On your audition form, please indicate which ensembles your are interested in. A very limited number of percussionists are accepted into each performing ensemble every school year: Symphony Orchestra (1-4), Wind Ensemble (4-6), Concert Band (6-10), Jazz Band (1-2), and Jazz Ensemble (1-2). Percussion Ensemble is a performing ensemble open to all other percussionists. All percussionists that did not make another performing ensemble are expected to sign up for percussion ensemble. Additionally, all percussionists are strongly encouraged to participate in Marching Band, either in the battery (drumline) or the front ensemble (see Marching Band below).

All Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass) String Ensemble is the performing ensemble open to all string instrumentalists. An audition is NOT required to participate in this ensemble. All string players may waive their audition and participate in String Ensemble. A limited number of string instrumentalists on each instrument are selected for Symphony Orchestra each school year. This advanced ensemble is for students who demonstrate a high level of proficiency on their instrument. Acceptance into Symphony Orchestra is by audition only. All string instrumentalists who do not make Symphony Orchestra or who do not audition are expected to sign up for String Ensemble.

Jazz EnsemblesJazz Band and Jazz Ensemble are auditioned jazz performing ensembles available to all saxophones, trombones, trumpets, rhythm section players (drumset, bass, guitar, piano, vibraphone). Audition is strictly required for acceptance in these advanced ensembles. Participation in either of the jazz groups for all musicians (except for guitarists) is contingent on the student being a participant in at least ONE of the other instrumental ensembles.

GuitarGuitarists are strongly encouraged to participate in the guitar elective music classes. These courses are open to all Conestoga students of varying guitar ability levels, and may be taken multiple times. Any guitarist that wants to be considered for one of the jazz ensembles must audition. A limited number of guitarists are selected for the jazz ensembles each school year (see Jazz above). Additionally, all guitarists are strongly encouraged to play in the front ensemble of the Marching Band.

PianoPianists are strongly encouraged to participate in the piano lab elective music classes. These courses are open to all Conestoga students of varying piano ability levels, and may be taken multiple times. Any pianist that wants to be considered for one of the jazz ensembles must audition. A limited number of pianists are selected for the jazz ensembles each school year (see Jazz above). Additionally, all pianists are strongly encouraged to play in the front ensemble of the Marching Band (see marching band below). Pianists may also audition with Mrs. Dickinger to be an accompanist for one of the choirs.

Marching BandMarching Band is a extra-curricular performing ensemble that meets once a week during the evening. The Conestoga High School Marching Pioneers perform at all football games and select other events throughout the fall. All music students are STRONGLY encouraged to participate in the Marching Band. Specific information will be out in the early spring. Additional information can be found on www.stogamusic.com.

We look forward to meeting you next year at Conestoga, no matter what you choose to do. Best wishes in your l year of middle school! Please visit out music department website: www.stogamusic.com and become a member in order to receive emails and weave through the site to learn about what’s happening in the Conestoga Music Department. Please call Mr. Nation or Ms.Hesse at (610) 240-1022, or email us at either NationC@tesd.net or HesseC@tesd.net if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions about Instrumental Music at Conestoga Should I take private lessons?It’s your choice, but remember that private lessons with a specialist on your instrument will only help you to improve! Many students at Conestoga take regularly scheduled private lessons outside of the school day. TEMPO (Tredy rin-Easttown Music Parents Organization) has published a Private Music Teacher list, which is included with this packet. Can I do a sport and marching band?

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Students who participate in both groups will work closely with their coaches and the marching band sta to “share” the time equally. You’ll be busy, but it’s not impossible and many students do this successfully each year!What instruments have the MOST opportunity at ‘Stoga?Bass, Low Brass, Clarinets, Horns, Tubas, and Double Reeds.How much time will I need to devote to practice?It is recommended that students engage in intelligent, thoughtful practice for a total of 180-210 minutes per week. The recommended way of accomplishing this involves daily practice for an average of 30 minutes per day. E ective practice techniques are discussed in ensemble rehearsals. How do instrument rentals work?Students may rent a school owned instrument from the high school music department. Sign out sheets are available on a come, served basis. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain their own instrument whenever possible, as school-owned instruments are only available in limited supply. Damage to any instruments as well as repairs during the rental period will be the responsibility of the student renting the instrument.How do I know what level of Guitar to sign-up for?It is recommended that all incoming freshman enroll in BEGINNING GUITAR, unless they arrange for an audition with Mr. Nation or Ms.. Hesse PRIOR to course selection.How much time is involved with Marching Band?Band Camp occurs in late August (2-3 weeks prior to the start of school) at CHS from 2:00 – 8:00 pm each day, Monday through Friday. During the school year, the band rehearses one night per week (usually Wednesdays) from 5:45 – 8:15 pm. The band plays each Friday night during football

.retniw ylrae dna llaf eht tuohguorht )5-2( sedarap suoirav ta dna semag ytisrav eht ta nosaesCompared with other schools in our area, the time commitment for the marching band is very little.Are there pull-out lessons at CHS?No. Time is not currently provided during the school day for group lessons. Students may obtain help with their instrument through arrangement with the directors.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS (please prepare all required materials for your instrument)

CONCERT BAND, WIND ENSEMBLE, SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

JAZZ BAND / JAZZ ENSEMBLE

For Concert Band and String Ensemble: These ensembles do not require an audition, however we would like to meet all students and hear you play Excerpt #1

for your instrument during the auditon process for part distrbution at Conestoga.

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For Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra: Prepare both excerpts provided for your instrument (Excerpt #1 and #2)•Prepared scales as indicated on the scale sheet. Octaves and keys are indicated for each instrument.•You will also be asked to play a sightreading excerpt that will be provided the day of the audition•

Wind Players (Saxophone, Trumpet, and Trombone):

In addition to the Wind Ensemble excerpts and scales listed above, please prepare the Jazz Excerpt provided for your

instrument.

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Drums

- Perform the drum etude outlined below

- Demonstrate ANY of the following grooves:

Swing

Shuffle

Funk/Rock

Samba

Bossa Nova

•Rhythm Section (Piano, Guitar, Drums, Bass)

Guitar / Piano / Bass

- Perform the jazz etude for your instrument outlined below

- Scales up to 4 sharps and 4 flats

- Sightreading excerpt provided on the day of the audition

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PERCUSSION

For Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra:Prepare the snare and mallet excerpts outlined below.•Snare drum rudiments outlined on the Scale and Rudiment page.•Mallet scales outlined on the Scale and Rudiment page.•You will also be asked to perform a sightreading excerpt that will be provided the day of the audition•

For Percussion Ensemble:All percussion students are encouraged to signup for percussion ensemble. There is no audition required, although

we would like to hear Snare Excerpt #1 on the audtion day for part placement

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- Sightreading excerpt provided on the day of the audition

SCALES AND RUDIMENTS(please prepare all required materials for your instrument)

Flute

One Octave: A, D, G, F, Bb, EbTwo Octave: C, Chromatic

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Clarinet

One Octave: A, D, C, Bb, EbTwo Octave: G, F, Chromatc

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Oboe

One Octave: A, D, G, C, F, Bb, EbTwo Octave: Chromatic

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Bass Clarinet / Bassoon

One Octave: A, D, C, Bb, Eb Two Octave: G, F, Chromatic

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Trumpet

One Octave: A, D, C, F, Bb, EbTwo Octave: G, Chromatic

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French Horn

One Octave: A, D, C, F, Bb, EbTwo Octave: G, Chromatic

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Trombone / Baritone

One Octave: A, D, G, C, F, Bb, EbTwo Octave: Chromatic

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Tuba

One Octave: A, D, C, Bb, EbTwo Octave: G, F, Chromatic

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PERCUSSION BRASS / WOODWINDS

STRINGS

ViolinOne Octave: E, DTwo Octave: A, G, C, Chromatic

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ViolaOne Octave: A, GTwo Octave: E, D, C, Chromatic

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CelloOne Octave: A, GTwo Octave: E, D, C, Chromatic

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Mallets

Two Octave: A, D, G, F, Bb, Eb •

Snare Drum Rudiments•

BassOne Octave: E, A, D, G, C, Chromatic

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