Cal Band Auditions are a 2-part process:
- Music: This page explains the process for your music audition. If you have any questions about this (i.e. need to borrow an instrument, need music tutoring support for your audition, recording issues, or any other extenuating circumstances) let your personal recruiter know! We are here to help!
- Marching: FTP (Fall Training Program) will take place August 10th-14th. Click here to learn more about FTP this year!
- You will submit your audition by uploading it via your account on our recruit website, which can be found by clicking “Recruit Portal” in the menu at the top of this website. These recruit accounts are automatically made after filling out an interest form. If you don’t have access to your recruit account, please let your recruiter know. All wind instruments plus glockenspiel must send in an mp3 recording; all percussion instruments (except glockenspiel) must send in a video audition. Auditions can be recorded in multiple parts/takes and can be edited into one final audio file for submission.
Audition Recording Due Dates
7/13/23 Update: We are continuing to accept rolling auditions for trumpet, trombone, and bass (sousaphone). Please reach out recruiting@calband.org today!
- The priority audition deadline for Cal Band is Sunday, June 11 at 11:59pm. If you submit an audition by our priority deadline and pass your audition, you will be guaranteed a spot in your preferred section and at FTP this year. This also means that if you submit an audition by the priority deadline and do not pass, then you can have a second chance and can re-submit your audition. We highly encourage those who use their high school’s or community college’s instruments to submit their audition by this date, so that you have access to an instrument that you can audition on. If you are interested in living in Tellefsen Hall, we also encourage you to submit your audition by this date.
- The standard audition deadline for Cal Band is Sunday, July 9 at 11:59pm. If you are unable to submit an audition by the priority deadline, we highly encourage you to submit one by this deadline. There is a slim chance that if you submit your audition after the priority due date and we have uneven instrumentation based on the first round of auditions, we will ask you to switch instruments after submitting and passing your audition.
- “All auditions submitted after our second audition due date of Sunday, July 9 at midnight will be reviewed on a rolling basis and students will be admitted into our band based on instrumentation needs. If you are unable to submit an audition before July 9, we still highly encourage you to submit an audition for Cal Band as soon as you can. Please communicate with your recruiter about your personal audition timeline if this is the case.
- A note on extenuating circumstances: We understand that there are a variety of reasons why you might not be able to submit an audition on time. Please communicate with your recruiter and we will do our best to accommodate everyone.
Woodwinds/Brass
How to Record Your Audition:
- Please do not use a metronome in your recording in order to more accurately simulate an in-person audition.
- Please record your audition as an mp3 file (all wind instrument and glockenspiel players).
1. State your name and your instrument.
2. State the keys of the two major scales you will play. If you play a transposing instrument (clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, or mellophone), please specify concert or transposed key. You choose which two scales you want to play for us! Difficulty does not matter, we are looking for your comfort in playing scales. Any rhythmic pattern is acceptable.
3. Play the two major scales.
4. Play a chromatic run from the lowest note to the highest note of your ability, ascending and descending. Any rhythmic pattern is acceptable.
(Please note, the scales portion of your audition tape should last no more than 120 seconds.)
5. State the numbers of three (out of five) exercises included in the links below.** You choose which three exercises you will play.
6. Play the three exercises following all tempo markings, key signatures, rhythms, dynamics, and repeat signs.
** If you have trouble viewing these documents, please install Adobe Reader
Exercises for Each Instrument
- Piccolo (can be recorded on flute)
- Mellophone (can be recorded on French Horn)
Percussion
***Percussion auditions are to be video recorded and sent to: recruiting@calband.org ccing: stud@calband.org and msadowski@berkeley.edu. This can be sent as a Google Drive link or Youtube video. The recruit website will not accept mp4 files.
For Glockenspiel:
For the Glockenspiel exercise, we highly recommend that you audition on some form of mallet instrument such as a xylophone, vibraphone, bell set, etc. from your local high school. If you are unable to get a hold of a mallet instrument, we will also accept the audition on a keyboard/piano. The marching glockenspiel only requires one hand to play. For this reason, we ask that you play with only one hand to mimic playing on a glockenspiel. If you choose to include a metronome with no earbuds/headphones in your audition video, please have the metronome recorded away from the electronic device that will be picking up your sound as we want to ensure that we can hear your audition. If we feel as though we can hear more of the metronome than you, we may ask you to resubmit. Here are the pieces that you will be playing. Please record the following!
How to Record Your Glockenspiel Audition:
1. State your name and your instrument.
2. State the keys of the two major scales you will play. You choose which two scales you want to play for us! Difficulty does not matter, we are just looking for your comfort in playing scales.
3. Play the two major scales.
4. Play a chromatic run from the lowest note to the highest note of your ability, ascending and descending, through two octaves.
5. Play the piece linked above, following all tempo markings, key signatures, rhythms, dynamics, and repeat signs.
- Only play measures 9-24 without the repeat for “Lights Out”.
- Although 120 bpm is preferred, “Lights Out” can be taken at 100-120 bpm if 120 is too difficult.
For Snare Drum, Tenor Drums, Bass Drum, and Cymbals:
Please click here and select the packet that pertains to your instrument for instructions on how to audition.
How to Record Your Snare Drum, Tenor Drum, Bass Drum, or Cymbals Audition:
1. State your name and your instrument.
2. Follow the instructions in your instrument’s packet.
Submitting your Recorded Audition
Once you’ve finished recording, submit your files through your account on our recruit portal. Please do not leave uploading for the last moment since there can be issues with uploading! Audition results will be released through the same page. If you have any questions or technical difficulties, or if you need any alternative accommodations, feel free to email us at recruiting@calband.org.