Audition Information
Moraine Valley Chamber Singers and Moraine Valley Chorale
Director will approve all new members for the Chorale and Chamber
Singers. Persons interested in joining this group should plan on
attending the first rehearsal of the group they are interested in
joining and/or contact the director for more information.
Moraine Valley Concert Band
Each semester, all new and returning concert band members are asked
to perform a brief audition to determine a balanced seating and part
placement for the ensemble. For the spring 2013 semester, these
auditions will be held during the second scheduled meeting of the
ensemble on Thursday, January 24, 2013 (or as necessary following
subsequent Thursday rehearsals). The audition requirements for each
instrumentalist are posted below. Continuing noncredit members who
are uncomfortable with the audition may opt out and be placed on a
part at the discretion of the music director. New noncredit members
and all academic credit seeking students must audition for seating.
Spring 2013 Concert Band Audition
Music
Winds
- Sight reading of a short excerpt from a published work for concert band (provided at audition)
- Prepared etude (study piece) from the concert band audition packet.
Percussion
- Sight reading of a short snare drum and/or mallet excerpt from a published work for concert band (provided at audition)
- A prepared etude on snare drum and mallets from the concert band audition packet.
Moraine Valley Jazz Combo
There is no formal audition process for the Jazz Combo. The director
will give approval for all new members. Interested persons should
plan to attend the first rehearsal or contact the
director for more
information.
Moraine Valley Jazz Ensemble
Spring 2013 Auditions
Please note that the band will hold a full rehearsal Tuesday,
January 15. Please bring your instrument and be prepared to play.
Formal auditions will be held in the Fine and Performing Arts Center, Room F127 on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 following the first rehearsal. Due to add/drop deadlines, all students who are newly enrolled in the course for academic credit MUST audition at the conclusion of the first rehearsal. New, noncredit (community) members may choose to audition either Tuesday, January 15, or at the conclusion of rehearsal the following week, Tuesday, January 22. For the spring 2013 session, both old and new members must perform an audition for placement with the group. A downloadable audition packet and general audition requirements for each instrumentalist are listed below:
Saxophone, Trumpet and Trombone
- Sight reading of a short excerpt from a published work for jazz big band
- Prepared jazz etude, see jazz ensemble audition packet
- Optional "extra credit" - improvise two to three choruses over Bb or F blues
Guitar
- Sight reading of a short excerpt from a published work for jazz big band
- Prepared jazz etude, see jazz ensemble audition packet
- Comp chords "Freddie Green Style" the first time, play the melody the second time
- Optional "extra-credit" - improvise two to three choruses over Bb or F blues
Piano
- Sight reading of a short excerpt from a published work for jazz big band
- Prepared jazz etude, see jazz ensemble audition packet
- Comp chords only the first time, play the melody the second time
- Optional "extra-credit" - improvise two to three choruses over Bb or F blues
Bass
- Sight reading of a short excerpt from a published work for jazz big band
- Prepared jazz etude, see jazz ensemble audition packet
- Construct a walking bass line from the chord changes the first time, play the melody the second time
- Optional "extra-credit" - improvise two to three choruses over Bb or F blues
Drums
- Sight reading of a short excerpt from a published work for jazz big band
- Styles demonstration to include:
- Medium swing, trading-fours (~120 bpm)
- Up-tempo swing, trading-fours (~240 bpm)
- Ballad with brushes (~75 bpm)
- Demonstrate a Rock or funk groove trading-fours (~95 bpm)
- Demonstrate a bossa nova groove (~80 bpm)
- Demonstrate a Latin groove (i.e. samba, songo, mambo) tempo to be at drummer's discretion
Moraine Valley Flute Choir
There is no audition required for this ensemble. Interested members
should have high school or above reading skills. Persons interested
in joining this ensemble should contact the director for more
information. Please contact the director for more information.
Moraine Valley Percussion Ensemble
There is no formal audition process for the Percussion Ensemble,
however the director will evaluate the individual music skills and
potential for success of each new member on a case-by-case basis.
Interested members should possess intermediate to advanced music
reading skills and have a strong desire to learn. A
percussion-specific background is not required. Many current and
former members have been pianists, wind players, etc. Please contact
the director for more information.
