Tournament of Roses: Audition Information

Audition Applications will be available starting September 1, 2010

Please read all of the following information before continuing to the audition application.

Pasadena City College
Tournament of Roses Honor Band
2010-2011

(Please download and print Honor Band Rehearsal and Performance Schedule)

General Audition Information

High school students may apply to audition for positions in the Pasadena City College Tournament of Roses Honor Band, Pageantry, and Herald Trumpets. High school applicants must be participants in good standing in their high school band program (and must continue to be in good standing throughout the fall semester if accepted into the Honor Band Program.) College-age applicants must be currently enrolled members (in good standing) of the Pasadena City College Lancer Marching Band to participate in the Honor Band Program.

Special Note to Los Angeles Unified School District Music Students:
We do not accept audition applications from LAUSD brass, percussion, and color guard students. Those students are eligible for and encouraged to participate in the LAUSD All-City Marching Band. We do accept applications from LAUSD woodwind students.

Each high school student wishing to audition must submit both the on-line Audition Application found below with all information completed, and the printed signature form with signatures from the applicant as well as the applicant's high school band director and parent or guardian. Signature Forms must be mailed with a postmark deadline of Thursday, September 30, 2010. Applicants will be able to find their audition times on this site only after the signature form is received.

There are different audition instructions for the winds, percussion, and pageantry; see below.

Returning Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Members: please note that there is a new component required this year during the audition. Please read the guidelines below carefully.

Woodwinds and Brass

(please download wind audition info sheet)

The following is a list of our Honor Band wind instrumentation:

Flutes (piccolo players must audition on flute - piccolos will be selected from within the flute section during music rehearsals)
Bb Clarinet (please note: no Eb. A, Alto, or Bass Clarinets)
Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
Baritone Sax
Trumpet
F Horn/Mellophone (students may audition on concert horn but we use only marching French horns or Mellophones)
Trombone
Marching Baritone (students may audition on concert horn; ability to read bass clef is required)
Sousaphone (students may audition on concert horn)

Applications will be accepted only for the instruments listed above. We do not use oboes, bassoons, etc.

Auditions will Include:

performance of an assigned 16/20-measure excerpt from “Everything's Coming Up Roses” from memory while marking time at march tempo (m.m. 120–126). Wear suitable shoes that allow you to mark time comfortably (we use a low knee-lift). “Roses” excerpts are available in the Tournament of Roses Honor Band document section.
a prepared solo piece designed for your instrument (a solo work or etude), not your individual part to a band piece, march, or orchestral composition.
sight-reading

All auditions will be held on Sunday, October 10. Audition Check-In will be at the east end of the "V" Building (see campus map). Please park in parking lot 5 (the parking structure) near the corner of Bonnie Ave. and Del Mar Blvd. (Bring $2 to pay for parking on campus. Permits available at kiosks in structure)

Please check-in at least 45 minutes prior to your audition time. Bring your own instrument and prepared audition piece. Wear shoes that will permit you to mark time comfortably.

All applicants will be notified about the results of their audition by postal mail within one week (whether accepted or not).

All applicants should be aware that because this is an "honor" organization, we expect full participation from all members in the very limited rehearsal time available to us. Please review the Attendance Policy and Cost (below) carefully before applying.

Herald Trumpets

(please download wind audition info sheet or percussion audition info sheet)

The Herald Trumpets are comprised of a group of nine trumpeters (playing fanfare trumpets) and one snare drummer. This group precedes the queen's float, heralding the arrival of the Rose Queen and her court. The Herald Trumpet members will be selected from those who audition on trumpet for the band; potential herald trumpeters must exhibit particular strength in both solo and ensemble playing. For audition information, please see the audition instructions for Woodwinds and Brass.

The snare drummer for the Herald Trumpets is selected from those who audition for percussion for the band, and must exhibit particular strength in solo playing. For audition information, please see the audition instructions for Percussion

Percussion

(please download percussion audition info sheet)

The percussion auditions (for the Drum line and for the Herald Trumpets' solo snare drummer) will be held on Sunday, October 10, starting at 10:00 a.m. and concluding by 5:00 p.m. Applicants will be given a meal break; bring a sack lunch or $$ for nearby fast-food restaurants.

Auditions will Include:

performance of an assigned 16/20-measure excerpt from “Everything's Coming Up Roses” from memory while marking time at march tempo (m.m. 120–126). Wear suitable shoes that allow you to mark time comfortably (we use a low knee-lift). “Roses” excerpts are available in the Tournament of Roses Honor Band document section.
During the auditions, everyone will play together in an ensemble situation. Students will be evaluated on technique, sight-reading, and knowledge of drum rudiments (scales for mallet players).
Cuts will be made during the audition session; final selections will be made by 5:00 p.m. (or sooner), including the selection of the Herald Trumpet snare drummer. Selected students will continue to rehearse after final cuts are made, but will be dismissed no later than 5:00 p.m.

Be prepared to state on which instrument you wish to audition (snare, tenors, bass, cymbals, or marching bells/xylophone), and bring your own sticks or mallets with you. Instruments will be provided. You may audition on only one instrument.

Please check in no later than 9:30 a.m. at our Jameson Amphitheater, which is just east of the "V" Building (see campus map). Please park in parking lot 5 (the parking structure) near the corner of Bonnie Ave. and Del Mar Blvd. (Bring $2 to pay for parking on campus. Permits available at kiosks in structure) The auditions will take place in our Robinson Stadium (see map). Please note: You must check in at Jameson Amphitheater just east of the "V" Building before auditions.

Pageantry Unit

(please download pageantry audition info sheet)

The Pageantry Unit for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Honor Band is composed of tall flags and banner carriers.

Pageantry Tryouts will be held on Sunday, October 10, starting at 9:00 a.m. and concluding by 4:00 p.m. Applicants will be given a meal break; bring a sack lunch or $$ for nearby fast-food restaurants. Various combinations and choreography will be taught and rehearsed en masse. Several cuts will be made during the tryout session. Final selections will be based on movement ability (including the ability to march in tempo), style, technique, and overall performance. Results will be announced at the end of the session. Selected students will continue to rehearse after final cuts are made, but will be dismissed no later than 4:00 p.m.

Please check in no later than 8:30 a.m. at our Jameson Amphitheater, which is just east of the "V" Building (see campus map). Please park in parking lot 5 (the parking structure) near the corner of Bonnie Ave. and Del Mar Blvd. (Bring $2 to pay for parking on campus. Permits available at kiosks in structure) The auditions will take place in our Gym (W-102) located in the "W" Building (see map). Please note: You must check in at Jameson Amphitheater just east of the "V" Building before auditions.

Wear proper dancewear and shoes; school uniforms or costumes are not necessary. All applicants need to bring their own pole and flag (a 6-foot pole is preferred).

**Attendance Policy*:**

The only excused absences are those due to illness, a performance conflict with your school music/guard group (not extracurricular ensembles or school rehearsals such as winter guard or winter drum line), and genuine family emergencies (vacations are not emergencies). Work conflicts are inexcusable reasons to miss class; similarly, traffic is not an excused reason for being tardy. Three tardies equal one absence, and an unexcused absence or three excused absences may result in a student being dropped from the class.

*Special Attendance Note for Percussion and Pageantry: Percussion and Pageantry students will be allowed to miss only one scheduled rehearsal due to a school band/guard performance conflict. A majority of the work is taught during rehearsals. Missing more than one rehearsal severely impacts the entire group. Students with multiple schedule conflicts should not audition.

Cost for Band Members

The only mandatory costs are the $14 registration fee for high school students who are legal California residents, plus the cost of uniform accessories [items such as gloves ($4), white marching shoes ($40), plain white socks, underwear, and t-shirts, berets ($8) for Herald Trumpets and Tubas, and wide ("double") white wristbands for Percussionists]. There are some optional expenses for things such as photographs, DVDs, and other souvenirs. Also, consider the transportation costs of commuting to and parking at Pasadena City College ($2/day) about 17 times.

Non-resident fee: students whose parents do not have California residence status are eligible to participate but may be required to pay non-resident tuition. Please refer to the PCC website for more information (click here).

Cost for Pageantry Members

The only mandatory costs are the $14 registration fee for high school students plus the cost of uniform accessories (items such as beige underwear, body stockings, dance shoes, hair accessories, etc. — probably about $100). There are some optional expenses for photographs, DVDs, and other souvenirs. Also, consider the transportation costs of commuting to and parking at Pasadena City College ($2/day) about 17 times.

Additional Guidelines and Link to Application

Auditions will be held only on Sunday, October 10, 2010.
No Make-Up Auditions are Given Under Any Circumstances

Return completed application to:

Pasadena City College

Tournament of Roses Honor Band

Kyle Luck, Director of Bands

Performing and Communications Arts Division C-121

1570 E. Colorado Blvd.

Pasadena, CA 91106-2003

Please note that you MUST print out your completed form and mail it in with the proper signatures, postmarked by Thursday, September 30, 2010, in order for your application to be considered.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Thank You for Your Interest in the Tournament of Roses Honor Band Program.

Problems with Registering?
Contact Immediately!
Mr. Kyle Luck, Band Director
director@pccband.com or (626) 585-7024
Leave your full name and contact number (with area code) on phone machine.

Make absolutely sure you type in your correct and valid email address.