2008 Blue Knights Percussion Audition Information
Thank you for your interest in the 2008 Blue Knights percussion program! Our goal as a percussion staff is to provide an enjoyable and educational experience in learning to play your percussion instrument at an extremely high level. Each percussionist will strongly benefit from sectional and ensemble playing skills throughout the course of the season.
Camp materials needed:
For each camp you will need a three ring binder with approximately 50 sheet protectors, five 3" x 5" note cards, two pencils, your stick bag with the appropriate sticks or mallets, a gum rubber practice pad (pit and battery), and comfortable shoes/clothing that permit movement (battery).
If local, you should try to bring your battery instrument as we have a limited amount of equipment available.
The basic audition format is as follows:
- required audition etudes
- ensemble playing skills
- optional etude or solo, up to 1:30 minutes in length (battery)
- required etude or solo, up to 5 minutes in length (front ensemble)
- a brief sight reading excerpt
- ability to adapt to new exercises/concepts on the spot
- interview
Batttery
Required Etudes:
BK Audition Material: Control
BK Audition Material: Timing
BK Audition Material: Consistency
BK Audition Material: BD Splits (Bass drum candidates only)
BK Audition Material: Snare Etude (Snare candidates only)
BK Audition Material: Finesse (Snare/Quad candidates only)
BK Audition Material: Scrapes (Quad candidates only)
BK Audition Material: Singles (Quad candidates only)
Ensemble Exercises
In addition to the above exercises, the battery will play the following ensemble exercises with many variations to determine how strong each player's mental focus is:
Five
Single Hand Tap Accent Grid
Para-Builder Common
H.H. Trip
Rebound #1 Op. 3
Cole
Groove Studies
In addition to the audition materials and ensemble exercises, the groove studies will serve as an important vehicle to improving our mechanics. Each groove study should be performed with the following criteria in mind:
- Stay as relaxed as possible at all times
- Strive for the smoothest, fullest sound at all times
- Be conscience of which muscles you are using at the tempo you are playing, and why
- Strive for perfect beat placement with every note - play inside the groove
Groove Study #1
Groove Study #1a
Groove Study #2
Groove Study #3
Groove Study #4
Groove Study #5
Groove Study #6
Groove Study #7
Groove Study #7a
Groove Study #8
Groove Study #8a
Groove Study #8b
Groove Study #9
Groove Study #10
Groove Study #11
Front Ensemble
Click here for front ensemble audition materials
Supplemental Audition Material
In addition to these required etudes, battery percussion candidates also have the option to prepare a piece of music of their choice no more than 1:30 in length. This additional repertoire should demonstrate the players' strengths, preferably aspects other than those demonstrated in the required etudes.
Front ensemble candidates are required to demonstrate a solo or etude showcasing both musical and technical ability, up to 5 minutes in length.
Please contact me for further clarification regarding the Blue Knights percussion program at any time.
Sincerely,
Jeff Ausdemore
Blue Knights Percussion Caption Head
jausdemore@mac.com
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