JCHS Band Audition Information

Concert Season Auditions

• Fall auditions for the spring concert season will be in November following the end of marching compeition season. See the calendar for exact dates.
• Students will prepare a portion of the technical and lyrical All-State etudes, as well as perform all 12 major scales and arpeggios and the chromatic (refer to the All-State guidelines for ranges). Sight-reading will also be a component of the audition.
• The results of these auditions will place students in Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band 1, or Symphonic Band 2.
• Every student participating in a spring semester band class must audition.

Marching Auditions

• Spring auditions for the fall marching season will be in early May.
• The music portion of the audition includes all 12 major scales (one octave) and their related arpeggios, the chromatic scale, a prepared etude, and sight-reading.
• The marching portion of the audition includes two different marching maneuvers that are covered and rehearsed during Rookie Camp the week preceding auditions. See the schedule for exact dates.
• Every student that auditions will be placed in either the JCHS Marching Band or the JCHS Competition Band. There’s a place for everyone!
• Every student participating in the fall semester band class must audition.

Jet Blues Jazz Band Auditions

• Auditions for the Jet Blues Jazz Band are in December. See the schedule for exact dates.
• Auditions include a prepared etude and an improvised solo.
• Auditions are open to trumpets, trombones, french horns, saxophones, clarinets, flutes, piano, guitar, bass guitar, drumset, and auxiliary percussion.
• Students must be in a spring semester ensemble (Wind Ensemble, Sym 1, Sym 2, or Perc. Ensemble) to be eligible to audition.
• Upon making the Jet Blues there is a required jazz band clinic that meets early January. This typically meets the day before students come back to school from Winter Break.
• This ensemble rehearses outside of the school day, typically after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Schedule subject to change.

Questions? Email Mr. Sims – bdsims@madisoncity.k12.al.us