2024-2025 Placement/Auditions Information

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Band

Incoming Freshmen - All incoming Freshmen wind players are automatically placed into Concert Band class unless they wish to be considered for symphonic band or wind ensemble. There is no audition necessary to enroll in the Concert Band.

If you miss the deadlines, please reach out to Mr. Gillespie.

 

Symphonic band/wind ensemble audition (FRESHMEN):

-Play an etude or piece of music that demonstrates your strengths

-Find your instrument in this document. Play the chromatic scale and two short excerpts listed.

-Place a video of you playing it in this drive by June 1st. If you missed this deadline email Mr. Gillespie.

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Percussion 

Percussion auditions for new students are Tuesday Jun 20th from 4-5pm.

Incoming Freshman should email Mr. Gillespie at jrgillespie@seattleschools.org if there are additional questions.

 

Current Students - 

Auditions will be held the week of June 19th for students already at Ballard HS. All students playing wind instruments will receive copies of audition music in the next week and will audition during class June 19-21st. Copies of the audition material will also be available on Schoology.

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Ballard Jazz Lab Ensemble: No audition is required. All instruments and skill levels are welcome.

 

Ballard Big Band: Auditions for Big Band will be held the week of June 19. Students interested in auditioning should be prepared to solo over an F blues and play the Bebop head Groovin High. You can find the music and a backing track in this Drive. 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15Nd8oTQOi-C-AQCBPgiuZ5kAs0CRBwlE?usp=sharing

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Choir

Incoming 9th graders don’t need to audition.  All incoming 9th graders who are sopranos or altos should be enrolled in Treble Choir and all incoming 9th graders who are tenors or basses should be enrolled in Concert Choir.  For any additional questions on auditions, please email Ms. Rowley at chrowley@seattleschools.org.”

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Orchestra

Students that want to audition for Symphonic or Chamber Orchestra may contact Mr. Valdez at dmvaldez@seattleschools.org for instructions on submitting a video of their playing.  Students should be prepared to play a major scale of the their choice (2 octaves for Symphonic Orchestra, 3 octaves for Chamber Orchestra), a solo or orchestra excerpt that demonstrates their abilities and verbally express their skills and experience.  Otherwise, all new students may sign up for Concert Orchestra without an audition.