7th & 8th Grade Band students are strongly encouraged to audition for the District IV Middle School Honor Bands, which rehearse and perform the weekend of January 16-18, 2020 at Southeastern University in Hammond.  The Mustangs who have been selected in the past have had an unforgettable experience participating in a fun overnight trip, performing new and challenging music, meeting other musicians, and learning from an accomplished band director.  Earning membership in these prestigious groups is a great addition to any young musician’s resume.  Last year we had the highest number of students from an Ascension Parish Middle School make the band and we hope to keep the record this year! 
 
Students are already preparing the audition music and scales in class as part of their final assessments for this semester -- so let’s push them to take the extra step to go for excellence and represent at a District level!

 WHAT TO BRING TO THE AUDITION:

• Instrument (percussion should bring all required mallets and tubas and baritones are responsible for bringing their own instrument)
• Audition music (Scales & the Etude) – yes you can bring your book in the room and yes you can use your fingering chart if you’d like!
• Optional: Water bottle and a jacket or sweater in case the room is cold

 
WHAT TO WEAR:  Dress nice!  The judge will see you and you want to make a good impression.  There is no dress code, so use your best judgement. Make sure whatever you wear you feel comfortable playing in it.
 
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GET THERE:

1. Check in at the pre-registration table to get your audition ticket
2. Go to the warm-up room.  Play through all of your audition music (slowly, take your time and remember to breathe!!!).
3. Approximately 5 minutes before your audition time, find your first room.  Many instruments audition in two rooms.  For example, they may play their scales in one room and their etude and sight-reading in another room.  These rooms should be next door to each other and clearly labeled.
4. When you walk in the room, politely say “Hello” to the judge and hand them your ticket.  No other talking is necessary!  No excuses!  No freak outs!  Show the best version of yourself!
5. When you are done, you may leave.  Results will be posted at www.districtiv.org

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Nervous?
The best way to not be nervous is to be prepared.  Spend this last week practicing everyday!  Some other tips:

• Focus the most on the parts you feel the least comfortable with
• Practice with a metronome (scales at 72) online
• Play your full audition for someone
• Listen to and play along with the recordings online at www.districtiv.org
• DON’T DRINK CAFFEINE and have lots of sugar the morning of the audition.  Some even say bananas help to calm nervous. 
• On the day of the auditions, avoid listening outside the door of the audition room and worrying about what you hear others play in the warm-up room! 

GRADING POLICY:
​​All performances are mandatory and for a grade, based on:

• On time (or EARLY!) attendance
• Appropriate dress
• Musical preparation
• Appropriate concert etiquette/behavior - including NO CELL PHONES