Each year in late October or early November the band conducts chair tryouts to determine the seating arrangements of each section.  These tryouts are held after school on a designated day for each section.  Each student will be allowed to sign-up for a specific time slot and is expected to be on time and prepared.

The requirements consist of:

• Scales: 12 major scales and the chromatic scale 1 octave.
• Prepared piece (posted 1 week prior to tryouts)
• Sight readings

Scales (30%)

Major scales must be memorized and scale sheets will not be allowed in the tryout room.  Students will be given a limited amount of time to complete each scale, if a student can not complete the scale in a reasonable amount of time they will receive a zero for that scale.  (EXTRA CREDIT WILL NO LONGER BE GIVEN FOR TWO OCTAVE SCALES)

Chromatic scale must be two octaves starting on any note of choice.

Prepared Piece (40%)

Music is available in the band room and in the download section.  All elements of the music will be scored so be sure to pay close attention to dynamics, articulations and tempo.

Sight Reading (30%)

Students will have 60 seconds to look at a new piece of music.  During that time students will not be allowed to play their instruments.  When time is up the student will perform the music from beginning to end without stopping.

Challenging

If the student is not satisfied with their performance on the chair tryouts they will be allowed to "challenge" the student one chair above their existing chair.  The student must contact Mr. Raney and a new prepared piece will be selected.  The person being challenged must be notified and given 1 week to prepare for the tryout.

ALL of the tryout requirements will be expected on the challenge.