Santa Clara County Honor Band

Soloist Selection

Date/Time/Location:  Calendar

• Read the Audition Instructions packet.
• Perform entire solo. (piano accompaniment recommended)
• Student must bring at least five (5) copies of their solo for the adjudicators. 
• The Student or their director must have a copy of the full band accompaniment (conductor’s score and individual parts) available the day after the audition.
• If selected, the student’s director will be called to verify the availability of the parts.  There will be no waiting to make sure that a rental is available or that the parts are in print.  The director has to make arrangements for the piece prior to the solo audition.
• If band accompaniment score/parts are not available the next soloist on the list will be selected.
• For composition, bring a live recording or midi version on CD.  You must provide at least 2 copies of the score for the adjudicators.
• The performance of the composition and/or soloist is at discretion of the adjudicators.

Composition Selection

Date/Time/Location:  Calendar

• Students interested in submitting a composition for SCCBDA performance consideration should read the Audition Instructions packet and submit their composition to their band director. Your band director will then decide if the composition should be submitted to the SCCBDA Board.

• All compositions should be submitted, with recommendation from your home school band director, to the board on or before December 5th (the same day as the soloist composition)

• The composition must be composed for standard concert band instrumentation

Flute: 2 parts, Oboe: 1-2 parts, Bb Clarinet: 3 parts, Alto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon: 1-2 parts, Alto Sax: 2 parts, Tenor Sax, Baritone Sax, Trumpet: 3 parts, F Horn: 2-4 parts, Trombone: 3 parts, Bass Trombone: optional,  Euphonium: BC and TC, Tuba, Percussion: 3-7 parts

• Compositions submitted must be the composer’s own original composition. Arrangements are not permitted.

• Each composition should be between 3-7 minutes in length.

• Each submission must include 5 full scores and a live recording of the piece by a concert band. MIDI recordings will not be accepted.

• The composition will be evaluated by the SCCBDA Board of Directors based on the following categories: melodic content, harmonic support, meaningful structure, development of thematic material, appropriate rhythmic propulsion, notational accuracy, composition truth, and aesthetic value.

• Composition will be returned to the director of the student's home school.

Honor Band Audition Requirements

Date/Time/Location:  Calendar 

All students enrolled in an instrumental music class with participating band directors (SCCBDA Bylaw) in Santa Clara County are eligible to audition.  Students must submit an application form with all required signatures. 

Students will not be given an audition without all required signatures, $5.00 non-refundable audition fee, and completed application form.

All rehearsals of the SCCBDA Honor Band are mandatory.  Students failing to meet this commitment or are tardy to any rehearsal can be immediately dismissed without discussion.  

Students are to report to the registration table in the SJSU Music Building. Each auditioning student will be assigned a number to determine the order of auditions for each instrument.

All auditioning students must:

1. Download and read through the Audition Instruction packet.
2. Turn in completed application with a $5.00 Audition Fee
3. All twelve major scales in the circle of fourths as indicated on this web site  (one Octave only)
4. Perform 2-3 minutes of a prepared solo that has not been repeated in past SCCBDA auditions.  Students must bring two (2) copies of audition music for the adjudicators.  Solo options are open to all instruments except flutes and percussion.  Flutes and Percussion* must perform the CBDA solo.  *No Mallet Specialist Auditions - only perform the standard percussion (snare, timpani, and mallet) solos and all twelve major scales as listed above.
5. Sight-read

Audition Checklist

1. Did you read every detail of the Audition Instruction packet (including specific instructions about the scales and those intended for flutes & percussion)?  Do NOT audition if you plan to miss any of the rehearsals, including partial rehearsals.  You only have a limited amount of time to rehearse with your fellow musicians.  Your absence would already deteriorate the chances of putting on a great concert.

2. Did you acquire all the necessary signatures?  Did you fill in every applicable space?  Don’t forget $5.00 for the audition process (checks made out to “SCCBDA”).

3. Did you make copies of your prepared piece (at least 2)?

4. Will you look respectable? (i.e. – something much nicer than a t-shirt & blue jeans/shorts.  This is similar to a job interview.)

5. Do you know how to get to the Music Building @ San Jose State?  Here's an SJSU Campus Map.   Get there early for your audition.  Anticipate traffic. 5:00 PM - flutes, clarinets (not bass), all saxes.     6:00 PM – everyone else.

6. Bring a snack/money in case you have to wait longer than anticipated. Your health is a key to putting on a good audition.  You will not have to remain after your audition.  The SCCBDA will be listing the results on the website.  They will also be trying a new means of communication by also emailing the people who made the band.  Of course, you are more than welcome to stay to see the posts.

7.  If you make it into the honor band, remember that the first rehearsal begins at 9:00am sharp the following morning at San Jose State!

      Audition Results - Click Here 

Parking at SJSU

You must purchase a permit from the permit machine if you park in the 7^th Street Garage (CA state law).   Permit machines begin  on the 3^rd level.

 All day - $8.00

2 hours - $4.00

1 hour  - $2.00

Arrive early to rehearsal on Saturday so you can find your seat.  Have all necessary reeds, mutes, oils, pencils, etc.  Bring a lunch/money for your break.