We are honored that the Midwest Board has asked us to submit an article for this issue of the Motifs. Our sixth grade wind ensemble performed at the 2007 Midwest Clinic, and it has been suggested that we might share a few insights into the audition process. We would like to encourage anyone who is considering it to audition for this high honor. It is the thrill of a lifetime. We especially would like to entice young ensembles to audition. Our profession needs to showcase fine young bands. It can be most inspiring to instrumental classroom teachers across the globe.

The first step to auditioning would be to assess your particular situation. If you believe you have a high quality program, good administrative support, strong families, an instrumental class that meets daily, excelling students and a strong private lesson program in your school, then you stand a fighting chance at performing at the Midwest Clinic. This is arguably the highest honor a band or orchestra can receive internationally, and many ingredients need to be in place.

The second step in this audition process would be to attend the Midwest Clinic Performance Workshops, held each year at the conference. We had attended this workshop three times prior to our decision to undertake this venture. Attending the workshops led by Mark Kelly, Kelly Jocius, Darcy Nendza, and Rodney Dorsey proved to be most beneficial. Their advice and guidance was most valuable. Every detail and due date of the application process needs to be in compliance with the audition requirements. This attention to detail is indicative of what you represent as a director and the detail and knowledge you give to your ensemble’s musical performance.

Returning home from the 2005 Midwest Clinic, we immediately began choosing our music for the 2006 band that would audition. In 2006, we attended the Midwest Performance Workshop for the second time, while the process was already well under way! Music had been selected and rehearsals had begun.

The unique situation at Maryville Intermediate School is that we virtually start over each year. MIS is a two-year school. It stands to reason that a great, grade 6 high school band that auditions will know their graduating seniors and the potential of a strong in-coming freshman class. In fact, most freshmen would probably not be in your typical high school top band. So, your band basically remains intact. On the Midwest application is the question “what percentage of the group we are listening to graduates from your program?” We had to answer, “100%!” Again, MIS is a two-year school of 5th and 6th graders. While we would audition with the ’06-’07 6th grade class, it might be the ’07-’08 6th grade class that would attend and perform. The listening committee was well aware of our graduation rate from our application; we were hopeful they would nevertheless select this young band.

The conditions for audition dictate two pieces of contrasting styles along with a march from an approved composers’ list. I do not mind telling you that finding a good quality march from the approved list that sixth graders can play is not easy! We selected Colonel Bogey by Kenneth Alford. Our ballad was “Irish Tune,” by Larry Daehn. Our feature piece was a fantastically fun composition by Dr. Gary P. Gilroy, “The Sphinx.” We also arranged for Dr. Gilroy to fly to Maryville, Tennessee from Fresno, California to work with our group. While there, he assisted us greatly in preparing “The Sphinx,” and also became acquainted with the band’s capabilities enough to compose a piece for us that we later performed at the 2007 Midwest Clinic entitled, “Three Stars of Tennessee.” Several directors visited our rehearsals to listen and make suggestions. We were able to secure many of our letters of recommendations through those directors’ visits. A number of directors, community leaders and parents were willing to help once they heard what we were attempting to do!

Over the next couple of months, the classes obviously rehearsed. We have three fifth grade classes and three sixth grade classes. The MIS wind ensemble is derived from the three sixth grade classes. The classes meet daily for band; however, the wind ensemble only meets twice a week for an hour and a half. Occasionally, we used class time for the wind ensemble students. When we divide our class by that ability distinction, the regular band students actually relish in being “on their own.” Suddenly, someone who rarely gets to be first chair is first chair with the wind ensemble students in a separate room. Those remaining sixth graders could not rely on the wind ensemble students, so they had to step up. The MIS wind ensemble rehearsed as a full wind ensemble twice a week for an hour and a half. In the past we would begin wind ensemble in January, knowing that we would wish to attend a spring concert festival. The Midwest audition year, however, required that we begin in November, since the audition material is due in mid-March.

In accordance with the application and the audition requirements, programs from the previous three years were collected. We completed the application and included a cover letter. Included in our submission were a portrait of the wind ensemble and a picture of each director. The most important aspect of the audition process is YOUR RECORDING. We wanted only the best to record for us. Mark Recording from New York came to town to record the ensemble. Their professionalism is second to none. They were so helpful, knowledgeable and familiar with what bands do and what Midwest wants. At least three letters of recommendation are required. The board requires a DVD of the same music you recorded on the CD. It does not have to be the same performance, but must be the same music. Get close-ups of the students’ embouchures, hand positions, horn positions and posture, etc. Secondly, you will need to record the conductor on each piece. So, we had each composition on the DVD twice, once showing the performers and once showing the conductor. It is understood that when you record a DVD from the back of the band in order to show the conductor, that the balance of the band will not be optimal. In our case we had the tri-pod right next to the bari-sax player! Ouch! Your letters of recommendation must go directly to the board of directors. Keep in contact with the Midwest Clinic office via phone or email to make ensure all materials arrive on time.

You will hear many people say, “no one is ever selected on their first audition.” Do not believe it. Go for it! We were invited after our first audition, and it CAN happen! The listening committee will listen to your CD anonymously. Yes, you have your cover letter, application, past programs and letters of recommendations, but the only person to know what group is performing is the person putting the CD into the player. Please make sure that if you use a recording of a concert that no one verbally introduces your band, thus identifying your group on the submitted CD. And, make sure that if you are performing in an auditorium that your school is not identified on the curtains, the wall or in any way. And please, do not submit a recording that took place in a gymnasium.

Well, that pretty much covers the logistics of the audition process. Be prepared for hard work and long hours. Keep those private lessons going. As directors, we would listen to great band recordings to keep our ear in good shape. We must make sure that we have great sounds in our ears and then coach and insist on that same sound from our sixth graders. As directors, we built each other up and encouraged each other and the students. We prayed a lot. We would pray not so much that we get what we want, but that we could witness to others, that . . . telling a student to play correctly is not somehow mean; it is just correct, that we could witness that even the youngest of students can perform well and get a great sound, and to witness that hard work pays off and keeps students on the good path! I hope this can help some directors understand the audition process. Preparation for the Midwest Clinic concert itself is another story. Good luck!

George Hayden III and RoAnn Romines are the band directors at Maryville Intermediate School in Maryville, Tennessee.