Parents and Students,
I have a few important updates and other info to share in the email below, so please read carefully, but first:
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to our band students on earning our school's first ever rating of “Superior with Distinction” at the ABODA State Concert Festival on Friday! This means that all three judges, along with the sight-reading judge, gave them Superior ratings on their performance…and yes, you read that right, they had to sight-read for a judge and get scored for it! You should be very proud of yourselves!
1) Here are some important reminders of calendar events coming up:
Friday, May 3: Freshman Step-Up Day during school (Band students should wear blue band shirts)
Tuesday, May 7: Symphonic Band Dress Rehearsal 4:00-6:00
Thursday, May 9: Band and Orchestra Banquet in the SHS Gym; 6:00 Dinner; 7:00 Awards
Friday, May 10: Lip Dub and Pep Assembly during school (Band and Orchestra students should wear their blue program shirts)
Monday, May 13: Band and Orchestra Spring Concert: 6:00 SUSD Auditorium (5:30 call time)
Wednesday, May 22: SHS Graduation: Required for all Band and Orchestra students. More details will be coming out soon.
2) The link to RSVP for the banquet is here: https://forms.gle/jLMqMZBCReBNfJd5A
*Please make sure to RSVP by May 6 if you're planning on having dinner. More details can be found in the form*
The link to pay for your meals at the banquet is here: https://www.sahuaritamusic.org/store/fees/awards-banquet-dinner/
3) Below is the link for band students to register for Band Camp and the fall semester (2024-25 school year). Please complete this registration as soon as possible…let's try to get them all done by Friday!
4) Last, but certainly not least, here is audition information regarding jazz band auditions for next year. Auditions for jazz band will take place May 15-24. Students should reach out to me to set up their audition times. Please read below for more details about the various auditions (etudes and backing track are attached to this email).
For wind players: Play Etude 1 only. The tempo is quite fast, and while I encourage students to get as close to that tempo as possible, demonstrating a strong understanding of swing style is far more important than tempo.
Additionally, winds may choose to do an improv on the Fast Blues in F as a supplement to their audition (they need to make sure they get the correct page for their key and clef, at the end of the etudes PDF). I've attached a backing track for you to practice and audition with. You should play the melody through once and then begin their improv with a repeat (24 bars total improv). The improv is not a required part of their audition, but is strongly encouraged, and students who attempt the improv are more likely to earn a spot in the ensemble.
Piano, Guitar, and Bass: Play etudes 1 and 2. Again, the written tempos are not required, however students should come prepared to give me a tempo marking they feel comfortable with for each etude. While the tempo they take is their choice, they should be prepared to perform with a metronome.
No improv is required.
Drums: Play etude 1 (with a metronome at a tempo of their choosing). Additionally, be able to demonstrate at least 5 of the styles listed under etude 4 (your choice).
No improv is required.
Hang on everyone…we're in the home stretch!!!
Thank you!!!
Mr. Benjamin Garland
Director of Instrumental Music
Sahuarita High School
(520)625.3502 x1551
Jazz-Band-Audition-Etudes.pdf