Junior High Band
Jazz Band Tips

Audition Jazz Band Members

Jazz Band was an audition group for two reasons, (1) There were more applicants than available positions, and (2) I wanted the best possible band. The auditions were held during the month of May for the next year’s band.

The audition consisted of the following:

  1. A slow scale for a tone score.
  2. The twelve major scales for speed and accuracy scores.
  3. The chromatic scale for range and accuracy scores.
  4. A prepared piece to demonstrate how well they played after practice.
  5. A sight reading piece to demonstrate how well they played without practice.

I entered the scores in a computer grading program. After all the auditions, I sorted each section and posted a list of next year’s band members. The students with the highest scores got in the band. For good public relations it's good to have a very objective way of auditioning.

Video Disclaimer

The attached videos are not perfect examples of how each tune should be played. They are recordings of junior high students, some of whom have had their instruments for only a few months. Also, they are not professional recordings. They were taken by band parents using home equipment and naturally focusing on their own children.

I include them for two reasons: (1) To give you an idea of what the arrangements are like, and (2) To illustrate the kind of performance you can expect from your junior high students.