McMillen Band 2021 Audition Information

Congratulations on becoming a member of the McMillen Band! We look forward to another great year of working with the best students in the state. Auditions will take place at McMillen HS unless otherwise noted.

Woodwind & Brass students: Current 9th graders will take their audition during class on their assigned day. Current 8th graders will perform a live audition at McMillen from 3:45pm-5:30.

Auditions will take place in-person on the following days.

• Apr 27: Flutes, Oboes, Trumpets, & Horns
• Apr 28: Saxophones, Bassoons, Trombones, Euphoniums, & Tubas
• Apr 29: Clarinets, Bass Clarinets

*if you cannot attend on your assigned day, please let us know

Please arrive at the North entrance to the school, across from the church, between 3:45pm - 5:30pm. Each audition will take about 10 minutes to complete, but please allow yourself 15-20 minutes to warm-up within this window. We have socially distanced warm-up areas and practice rooms available. Once you have completed your audition, you will need to exit the building and wait outside for your ride home.

***If you are an 8th grade @home learner and would prefer to play your audition from home, please email josh.kurzweil@pisd.edu to set up a Zoom audition. Virtual auditions are by appointment ONLY.

What to prepare: Auditions will cover all 12 major scales and chromatic scale as shown in the Blue Foundations Book, page 44 & 45.

Point rubric: Each scale will be worth 10 points. To earn these points, we will be listening for tone, ease of technique, air support, articulation, number of octaves, and tempo. Your Chromatic Scale will count for 20 points graded on the same criteria. More points will be awarded if you play by memory. If you do not know a particular scale, you may say “skip” and play the next scale you do know. Keep a steady pulse and play with your best tone in all registers. You will not need to use a metronome for your scales.

Percussion students: Auditions will take place on Monday, Apr 19 and Tuesday, Apr 20 after school from 4:30pm - 6:00pm. Materials can be found at GOOGLE CLASSROOM vkfs6ri

Auditions will be overseen by Mr. West and the MHS band directors with help and input from Mr. Brennan from Plano East and Mr. Boychuk.

Color Guard students: auditions will take place Mon thru Thurs (Apr 19-22) from 4:30pm - 5:45pm in the MHS Band Hall. Please join our GOOGLE CLASSROOM 3ccouws

Leadership Training (available for students with 1 year of marching band experience in the MHS Band) for all interested in being Drum Majors, Brass/Woodwind/Percussion/Guard Captains, Section Leaders,etc. will begin training in-person with drum majors on Apr 20-22 and with all leaders starting May 11-13.

Volunteer

Login and go to our 2020 Game Day Volunteer Opportunities page.

NOTE: You MUST fill out a Plano ISD Volunteer Background Check.  This must be done every school year.

Join our Private Facebook Group

2020-2021 incoming band students and families, please request to join our private Facebook group.