Audition Information
Needed Instrumentation
Woodwinds
Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon
Brass
French Horn
Percussion
Mallets, Timpani
Requirements
Woodwind/Brass
Please prepare two etudes or solo excerpts, major scales, and chromatic scale full range. One of the etudes or solo excerpts should demonstrate your technical facility on your instrument. The other etude or solo excerpt should be lyrical to demonstrate musicality.
Percussion
An audition list will be provided upon scheduling.
Contact Person
Anyone interested in playing with the Salem Symphonic Winds should contact our personnel manager for more information. We invite you to sit in on a rehearsal or two at the beginning of a rehearsal series prior to scheduling an audition.
Expectations
New members are chosen for their musical ability and readiness to commit to the band’s schedule of rehearsals and performances.
Additional Information
In order to maintain the quality and standards of the group, all prospective new members will prepare and present an informal audition before the audition committee of the Salem Symphonic Winds.
• Appointments for auditions will be scheduled prior to the end of the new member’s second rehearsal.
• Consult with your section leader regarding appropriate audition materials.
• Players will be notified of audition results within one week by the personnel director or the section leader.
• The audition committee shall include the following: the Personnel Director, the Music Director, the section leader, and optionally other members of the board.
Rehearsals
Want to Stop by a SSW Rehearsal?
Rehearsal guidelines are as follows:
• Rehearsals will begin on time. Plan to arrive earlier to warm up and have all necessary materials ready.
• Come prepared! This means having practiced your music. Listen to reference recordings. Access to online sources are usually communicated at rehearsals and on the band website.
• Plan to be attentive and productive during rehearsal. Have a pencil (not pen) and mark music for consistency to save time in subsequent rehearsals. Mark what is needed, but avoid over-marking the music – especially on rented music. All marks must be erased before music is turned in after performance.
• Be courteous to the conductor and to your colleagues. Stop when the conductor stops. Please do not “noodle” or practice your part while the conductor is talking. Practice at home.
• Resist the temptation to talk. Do not “chat”. If you need to communicate something to another member of your section, do so inconspicuously and quietly. Save social conversation for break time, before or after rehearsal.
• Don’t complain about section seating or part assignments during rehearsals. Bring concerns to the attention of sections leaders and/or the conductor outside of rehearsal time.
• Refrain from wearing perfume or cologne. Many people are sensitive or allergic to it.
• Turn off your phone. Check game scores, e-mail, texts, social media, etc. later. It will wait.
• If an additional rehearsal becomes necessary, as much advance notice as possible will be given band members to make necessary arrangements.
• Sectional rehearsals may be called by the director or by a section leader.
• Music folders need to be turned in after each performance so that music can be sorted and new music distributed. All marks on music must be erased.