Jewel M. Sumner High Marching Band 2015 Spring Auditions Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Jewel M. Sumner High Marching Band! Joining a marching band is a very big commitment and can be fundamental in finding your niche in high school. The Jewel M. Sumner High Marching Band strives to produce wellrounded musicians who are leaders in the school and community. The members of the marching band are close-knit families who have been brought together by their love of music. Their dedication to the band and each other exemplifies the bond music can create. They would like to congratulate you on applying to become a part of marching band and wish you the best of luck in your audition. The attached forms in this packet include: The Marching Band Expectations There are rules a marching band member must follow, and expectations that must be met. Included is a list of these rules and expectations to better explain the duties of a marching band member. Common Instruments Choosing an instrument when you first join band can be challenging. With so many to choose from and so little information, the choice can be a little overwhelming. Included is a brief description of common instruments to make your choice a bit easier. Once you choose, if you find you do not like the instrument, do not worry! There are plenty of opportunities for you to try other instruments. Remind 101 The Jewel M. Sumner High School has a Remind 101 account in which it updates students and parents about upcoming events for the band. It is recommended that you join the class by following the directions listed on the sheet. Audition Application This application must be completely filled out and returned to the front office by the due date specified. No late entries will be accepted.
Marching Band Application Instructions: Please complete the following and return to the front office. Student Contact: Name: Current Grade: Current GPA: Phone Number: E mail: Parent or Guardian Contact: Name: Relation: Phone: Email: Student Information: 1. List any type of marching band or orchestra you have participated in. (If you have never participated in any band or orchestral organization, skip to number 2). 2. Select your comprehension level of music theory and your ability to read sheet music. None Fair Moderate Good Excellent 3. Please list any instruments you possess prior experience with. (If you have no prior experience, skip to number 4.) 4. Choose three instruments and rate them in the order in which you would like to learn them. If there is an instrument not listed, you may write it in the space provided. Flute Clarinet Saxophone Trumpet Baritone Trombone Tuba
Percussion (Snare drum, bass drum, cymbals) Other: Answer the following questions honestly. If you select no for any question, please provide a reason. Use the space provided to answer the short response questions. 1. Are you aware that if selected to join the marching band, you will be expected to attend every scheduled rehearsal and performance of the marching band unless excused by the director? Yes / No: 2. Do you understand that your position in the band program requires academic and behavioral excellence, which will be expected inside and outside of the school throughout the entire year? Yes / No: 3. What is your main reason for applying for marching band? 4. Please list any current organizations you are involved in. Teacher Recommendation: One teacher recommendation is required to audition for the marching band. Fill out the required spaces below and have your teacher sign. Teacher: Subject: Notes: Signature: Date: Parent/Guardian Consent I give my child permission to join the marching band upon their acceptance into the program. Parent/ Guardian Signature: Date:
Woodwinds The woodwind family consists of reed instruments such as the clarinet and saxophone. It also includes the flute, piccolo, and similar instruments, though these are typically made of metal. Sound is made on woodwinds either by blowing over the mouth plate of a flute, or vibrating the reed of clarinets and saxophones. Reeds must be changed regularly to produce a quality sound, so clarinets and saxophones require more attention and up-keep than other instruments. However, these instruments are thought to be easier to create a sound on. Flute - The flute is considered one of the oldest man-made musical instruments. It is one of the smallest instruments found in a band. Its small size allows for it to travel well, shove it in a locker or backpack and it fits fine. The flute requires a lot of practice to produce a good tone, however, it requires very little up keep. Clarinet - Due to the many improvements it underwent, different types of clarinets were made throughout the years. Most clarinets are made of plastic, though professional clarinets are made of wood. The clarinet is slightly larger than the flute, though still small and manageable. It is a reed instrument, which requires more care. Also, a clarinet has cork in the places it fits together. These corks must be greases often and properly to maintain a good sound. Producing a sound on the clarinet is fairly easy and helps beginner students who have yet to develop a sense of pitch. Saxophone - Saxophones come in a variety of sizes and types; the alto sax, tenor sax, and the baritone sax are the most commonly used in marching bands. Considered to be newer than other musical instruments in terms of its music history, the saxophone was invented by Antoine-Joseph (Adolphe) Sax. It is the largest of the woodwind family. It, like the clarinet, is a reed instrument with corks, which requires more attention.
Brass The brass family consists of five major instruments, with a mouthpiece that varies in size. Buzzing the lips together into the mouthpiece produces sound. These instruments require some sense of pitch and lots of practice (as other instruments do). Trumpet/Cornet- The trumpet and cornet are different instruments, but their differences are so trivial beginning band teachers do not distinguish between the two. They require small amounts of upkeep, such as cleaning and oiling. French Horn- the French horn is an instrument slightly larger than a trumpet with a lower sound. It produces a beautiful sound and is a fundamental instrument in orchestral settings. However, beginning students should be aware of the French horns difficultly. It requires lots of time and practice. Trombone- considered a part of the low-brass section; the trombone reads from the bass clef, opposed to the higher instruments, which read treble clef. The trombone has a rather unique feature: instead of valves and keys, the trombone uses a slide to change pitch. It is a larger brass instrument and its mouthpiece is larger than that of a trumpet, but requires little upkeep other than occasional greasing of the slide. Baritone/Euphonium- two separate instruments that can be thought of as double-trumpets, or half-sized tubas. They are similar to their compared instruments other than the size of the mouthpiece. Tuba/Sousaphone - The tuba is deep sounding and is the largest instrument of the brass family. Although it doesn't require as much lungpower as the trumpet, the tuba can be difficult to handle due to its size.
Percussion The percussion family is all instruments whose sound is created when something strikes something creating vibrations. That may be the striking of a stick to the pad of a drum, or a hammer to a string of a piano. Snare Drum- the snare drum is the smallest drum in the percussion section and most popular. It is used for nearly all styles of music. Practice pads may be used for beginners to dampen the offensive sound. Bass Drum - The bass drum is a percussion instrument and is the lowest and largest member of the drum family. Bass drums are used in orchestral music as well as marching bands. Cymbals - Percussions are music instruments that are either struck, shaken or scraped and may or may not have pitch. Cymbals are a perfect example of a non-pitched percussion instrument. The type that is used in marching bands is called crash cymbals.
March Band Expectations Prospective band members should be aware of the expectations outlined below. Commitment to the band: showing up for rehearsals and events, practice times. Learning music theory. Respectful to others. Pass all other classes. Band requires some money for uniforms, events and method books. Requires practice at least 35 minutes a day!
Remind 101 Stay up to date with Marching Band Events by joining the Remind 101 class! Send this message: @sumnerhigh To this number: 81010 Download the app from the app store to reply to announcements with stickers