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Audition Requirements

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Admission to the Band Program (marching, concert, etc.) at Tennessee State University is contingent upon a successful audition. There are two categories available for admission to the band:

1. Those who meet minimal qualifying standards to participate in the Aristocrat of Bands (marching band)

2. Those who meet the higher qualifying standards to be considered for available scholarships (Aristocrat of Bands plus participation in the University’s other major ensembles)

Woodwind and Brass Scholarship Consideration: 

• 12 major scales; two octaves. Be prepared to excectue these with various articulations. 

• Chromatic scale for the practical range of the instrument 

• Prepared pieces demonstrating two contrasting musical examples (lyrical and technical) which best demonstrate your technical facility and musicianship. 

• Demonstrate sight-reading skills. 

• Provide a copy of your audition music.

Percussionists

Scholarship Range:$0-$6,000:

• One prepared piece for snare drum. This can be a solo from all state/region concert band audition or a concert snare drum solo from a method book, collection of solos, or from a publisher.

• 40 PAS standard rudiments

• Snare and Quint players should include hybrids as well.

Scholarship range (If additional skills are shown to be competent) $6,000-$15,000:

• 12 major/minor scales on marimba

• Mallet Percussion Etude (Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone)

• Timpani tuning along with an etude or solo for timpani

• Demonstration of skills playing the following drumset styles: samba, fast swing, and funk.

• Demonstration of skills on ethnic percussion instruments.

Students will be asked to sight read, play major scales, play PAS International Rudiments and subdivide written rhythms.

Ensemble Opportunities: Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Percussion Ensemble, World Percussion Ensemble, Commercial Music Ensemble and Orchestra. 

Audition Process:

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We offer various options for auditioning for the university band program:

1. Live auditions on the TSU campus or at your local high school during a director visit

2. Zoom auditions

3. YouTube link submissions

4. USPS mail of a USB drive 

*Should you choose to audition via zoom, we do ask that you utilize a laptop or desktop computer and an external microphone to protect the integrity of your sound.*

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