Auditions are held at Dillard Center for the Arts, on specific dates as scheduled by the Arts faculty. An audition serves both as an admission requirement and a barometer for ensemble placement. DCA has three concert bands, separated by level of musical proficiency and experience: DCA Wind Orchestra, DCA Symphonic Winds and DCA Concert Winds.
Audition includes:
Prepared Etude (or solo: FBA Grade 3 or Higher)
Chromatic Scale
Major Scales
Sight-Reading
Musical Aptitude Interview
When the student enters the room, he/she will be asked to perform:
a) The specific prepared exercises for their instrument(s) as listed below(or solo: FBA Grade 3 or higher). Please note the suggested tempi that have been given.
b) A chromatic scale covering the range for their instrument (as listed below.) The scale will be performed in even eighth notes at a minimum tempo of MM quarter note = 144. The scale will be tongued ascending and slurred descending where applicable. Scale is to be memorized.
c) Seven major scales, (in 2 minutes or less) from memory, complete with arpeggios, at a minimum tempo of MM quarter note = 100. Scales are to be performed 2 octaves where possible. Students who wish to play a 3rd octave may do so. All scales must be performed in order of the cycle of fourths within the allotted time frame. Scales must be performed in complete octaves. The scale pattern is quarter note followed by eighth note, with the articulations tongued ascending, and slurred descending. Arpeggios are to be included. (In The Same Manner And Style As The FBA All State Audition Requirements).
The student will be asked to perform scales in their transposed form. Scales will be performed in the following order, starting with the concert key of: G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, & Db.
d) A short sight – reading exercise(s) to demonstrate the student’s reading ability. The student will have sixty seconds to study the piece before playing it. ( Percussionists must audition on snare and xylophone. Sight – reading will be required in both areas.
Flute; Chromatic: 3 octaves from C – Prepared Piece: Exercise #7, mm 1 – 16, tempo; quarter note = 78 bpm. Download The Flute Prepared Piece
Oboe; Chromatic: 2 octaves from C – Prepared Piece: Exercise #11(top), mm 9 – 24, Tempo; quarter note = 96 bpm. Download The Oboe Prepared Piece
Bassoon; Chromatic: 2 octaves from F – Prepared Piece: Exercise #23, All, mm 1 – 16, Tempo; eighth note = 86 bpm. Download The Bassoon Prepared Piece
Clarinet; Chromatic: 2 octaves from E – Prepared Piece: Exercise #8, mm 9 – 24, no repeats. Tempo; quarter note = 100 bpm. Download The Clarinet Prepared Piece
Saxophone (Alto, Tenor & Baritone); Chromatic: 2 octaves from C – Prepared Piece: Exercise #8, All, no repeats. Tempo; quarter note = 104 bpm. Download The Saxophone Prepared Piece
Trumpet/Baritone TC; Chromatic: 2 octaves from G – Prepared Piece: measures 17 to the end. Tempo; quarter note = 100 bpm. Download The Trumpet Prepared Piece
Horn; Chromatic: 2 octaves from F – Prepared Piece: Exercise #4, top, All, tempo; quarter note = 120 bpm. Download The Horn Prepared Piece
Trombone/Baritone BC; Chromatic: 2 octaves from F – Prepared Piece: measures 17 to the end. Tempo; quarter note = 100 bpm. Download The Trombone/Baritone BC Prepared Piece
Tuba; Chromatic: 2 octaves from F – Prepared Piece: Exercise #2, All, tempo; quarter note = 120 bpm. Download The Tuba Prepared Piece
Percussion – Xylophone; Chromatic: 2 octaves from Bb – Prepared Piece: Excerpt from Colas Breugnon Overture, All, tempo; quarter note = 150 bpm. Download The Xylophone Prepared Piece
Percussion – Snare; NARD Rudiments #1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9 & 11. To be played open – closed – open. Prepared Piece: Aquamarine, mm 33 to the end, no repeats. Tempo; quarter note = 100 bpm. Download The NARD Rudiment Chart | Download The Prepared Piece