2012 WMEA High School All-State Honor Groups

Program overview WMEA All-State high school honor groups include Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Symphonic Choir, Treble Choir, Jazz Band and Jazz Choir. The entire application and audition process is done online. Direct technical assistance for teachers is available throughout the process at hstech@wmea.org. Wind Symphony Alert: The school enrollment threshold to determine eligibility has changed. Please see the Wind Symphony audition materials for specific information. 2012 WMEA All-State Honor Group Conductors Concert BandVirginia Allen, The Julliard School/ Wind EnsembleMarcellus Brown, Boise State University/ Wind SymphonyEric Hammer, University of the Pacific/ Symphonic ChoirJoshua Habermann, Dallas Symphony Chorus/ Treble ChoirEdith Copley, Northern Arizona University/ Chamber OrchestraEmily Freeman Brown, Bowling Green State University/Symphony OrchestraMark Laycock, Wichita State University/ Jazz Band Chris Vadala, University of Maryland/ Jazz ChoirMatt Falker, Mira Costa College. Eligibility---Teacher WMEA Honor Groups are organized expressly for students of classroom WMEA member educators only. Teachers must maintain current membership from the time of application through honor group performances. By using our online application/audition system, teachers attest that: 1. they are the WMEA member teacher of the applicant, and have the student under their direction in a performing group corresponding with the honor group for which the student is applying; 2. that a WMEA member teacher from the applicants school was present at the time the audition recording was made. Refer to http://wmea.seainternet.com/Content/C56/AllStatePolicy.pdf for complete policy guidelines. Eligibility---Students Students must be in grades 9-12, and regularly participating members in the school music performing group, offered for credit, corresponding with the honor group for which they are applying. Please refer to http://wmea.seainternet.com/ Content/C56/AllStatePolicy.pdf for complete eligibility definitions. Regular participation in that school music group must continue through the honor group performance. Students interested in applying in more than one category will need to submit a separate application, payment, and recorded audition for each area. By applying, all students, parents and teachers agree that if selected, students are required to attend all rehearsals and remain with their honor group at all times, from check-in through their concert. Group assignments Female singers chosen for All-State will be assigned by management to either Symphonic Choir or Treble Choir. Those selected in winds and percussion will be assigned to Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra or Chamber Orchestra. Students selected using the Wind Symphony audition materials will be placed in Wind Symphony. Strings will be placed in Symphony Orchestra or Chamber Orchestra, although one or more string bassists may be placed in one of the bands. Students accepted on a jazz rhythm section instrument will be assigned to jazz band or jazz choir. Expense Application Fee: $15.00 due with application. All payments must be made by credit card and instructions are provided within the online application process. (Application fees are waived if your school is an Associate Member of WMEA.) Please note that if a student anticipates needing financial assistance to participate if ultimately selected, application to access YME funds needs to be submitted by the audition close date of October 4. See the WMEA Young Musicians Excelling fund page for complete information.

Participation Fee: $350.00 due immediately after notification of acceptance. Participation fees cover all housing, meals and administrative costs. Applicants other than for jazz groups have the opportunity to pre-order one optional $5 All-State Jazz Concert student ticket and must do so at the time of application. If selected, the additional $5 will be added to registration fees. Payment of registration fees must be processed through the students school. Limited financial assistance is available from the WMEA Young Musicians Excelling fund. Please see the separate page detailing that process. Transportation Each school, in cooperation and understanding of students parents/guardians, are responsible for and need to arrange transportation to and from Yakima. Students are not permitted to drive to, from or during the honor group experience. Any transportation needed between check-in and concert will be provided by WMEA. Critical Dates Thursday, September 1 Tuesday, October 4 Monday, November 7 Friday, December 9 Wednesday, January 4 Thursday, February 16 Friday, February 17 Sunday, February 19 Monday, February 20 Online application and audition window opens Online application and audition window closes (11:59 PM) Notification of acceptance/registration information emailed to teachers Postmark deadline for registration forms and all fees ($10 late processing fee per student after this date). Alert: this date will not be extended due to potential inclement weather. Mailing of music to teachers/schools begins All-State Jazz group members arrive in Yakima, rehearsals begin All-State Bands, Orchestras, Choirs arrive in Yakima, rehearsals begin All-State Jazz Band and Jazz Choir perform All-State Bands, Orchestras and Choirs perform

Audition/Application Checklist And Reminders for Teachers Ensure your MENC/WMEA membership is current and will remain current through February 2012. Test your online access early and often. Teachers cannot access online application forms, nor submit applications/auditions unless membership is current. WarningMENC does not finalize membership until checks have cleared, credit cards approved or purchase orders paid by your school/district. Renewal can be done online (www.menc.org), by phone (1-800-828-0229), or mail. We cannot extend application deadlines due to membership issues. Distribute the Student Application Worksheet and audition materials to qualified students. The worksheet is provided for your use only--please do not mail to WMEA. Complete/submit the online application and upload recordings at www.wmea.org. Deadline is October 4. Detailed instructions found online with the application/recording pages. Audition payments must be done online via credit card as part of the audition process. If a student is applying for financial assistance through YME, postmark deadline of form is October 4.

For additional information regarding the All-State Honor Group program, contact: Bruce Gutgesell, WMEA Student Events Coordinator, 1-800-324-WMEA or bruceg@wmea.org Technical questions should be directed to hstech@wmea.org.

19707 64th Avenue West, Suite 101 Lynnwood, WA 98036 1-800-324-WMEA 425-712-WMEA 425-776-1795 (FAX) office@wmea.org www.wmea.org

WMEA High School All-State Financial Assistance

The WMEA Young Musicians Excelling fund is pleased to provide monies and services that provide assistance to Washington students of genuine limited financial means. This years WMEA student high school participants cost is $350 per student. For students who TRULY need financial assistance, please follow the steps below: 1. Print out a copy of this form. 2. Ask your music teacher how much your school will assist with costs, and then put that amount on line B below. 3. Complete the rest of this form to the best of your ability. 4. Have your parents and school music teacher sign the form and sign it yourself. 5. You or your school music teacher should send it to: WMEA YME Assistance Program 19707 64th Avenue West, Suite 101 Lynnwood, Washington 98036 That request must be postmarked on or before October 4, 2011. If you are accepted in a WMEA All-State honor group, your teacher will be notified by US mail or e-mail of how much assistance you have been granted (it may not be all you ask, as the available funds must be distributed equitably). All requests are handled in confidence separately from the auditions and do not impact whether or not you are selected for honor groups. THIS IS STRICTLY NEED-BASED ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES ONLY. IT IS ESTABLISHED ON AN HONOR SYSTEM. Please ask ONLY for assistance based on true need.

THIS IS NOT A SCHOLARSHIP.

2012 High School Honor Groups Student:_________________________________________________________________________________________ School/City:______________________________________________________________________________________ Home_Address:___________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip:____________________________________________________________________________________ Phone:_________________________________________E-Mail_ ___________________________________________
Area(s)_of_application:_ Winds/Percussion_ Strings_ Vocal_ Inst_Jazz_ Vocal_Jazz

Financial Assistance Application

A._ B._ C._ D._ E._

High_school_honor_groups_participation_fee:_.................... $_ 350 Amount_my_school_will_pay_(subtract):............................. $_ __________ Balance_due_from_me:_..................................................... $_ __________ Amount_I_can_reasonably_afford_(subtract):_..................... $_ __________ Amount_of_assistance_requested:_.................................... $

Please attempt to provide a portion of the cost yourself (line D).

Student_Signature:___________________________________________________ Date:_ ________________________ Parent_Signature:_ __________________________________________________ Date:_ ________________________ _ Our signatures attest this is a true financial need for support as requested. School_Music_Teacher_Signature________________________________________ Date:_ ________________________ My signature acknowledges this request for support as a reasonable need.
Give the GIFT of MUSIC

Student Application Worksheet Students: Please provide all information asked for below, completely and accurately. Return this form to your teacher. You will find an optional opportunity to purchase a ticket to attend the All-State Jazz Concert, should you be selected for a concert group. This is your only opportunity to request a ticket at the deeply discounted price of $5. If you request a ticket now and are selected for a concert group, the additional $5 will be added to your registration fees at the time of notification. Please do not check the optional jazz ticket box if this is a jazz group audition.

Teachers: Please use this information to assist you with the online application process. Do not mail to WMEA---this is intended for you to keep.

Teachers are reminded that a WMEA member music educator from the students school must be present when the recording is made.

Name (last, first):

T-Shirt Size: (S, M, L, XL, XXL)

Gender:

Male

Female

One optional $5 All-State Jazz ticket (yes or no):

Home Street Address:

Parent/Guardian Name:

Home City/State/Zip:

Grade in School:

9th

10th

11th

12th

Home Phone:

Instrument or Voice Category (ies) of Audition(s):

Parent email:

Required Parent Signature: By signing this form, I grant permission for my daughter/son to audition for, and should they be selected, participate in a 2012 All-State group. I also understand that auditioning for this honor represents a commitment to participate, should she/he be assigned to an All-State group. ______________ (date)

______________________________________________ (parent signature)

RECORDING THE AUDITIONS ON A COMPUTER

First, if you already have a digital recording system that works for you, keep using it. Just make sure that the resulting files are .mp3 files. If youve never created digital recordings with your computer, you should, at little cost, be able to create digital recordings and submit them online. Procure a microphone with a 1/8 jack. It may cost $10-$40 at any computer store (e.g. Radio Shack, Best Buy, Circuit City) or a music store that serves computer needs. Your building or district tech support may have extra microphones available for you to use at no cost to your budget. Plug the mic into the mic jack on the computer. It usually has a microphone icon next to it (often colored pink). Open your audio recording program. 1. Windows: Sound Recorder is on all Windows machinesstart/all programs/accessories/entertainment may be the path to find it on many machines. Note: Older versions of Sound Recorder may have a recording limit of 60 seconds per track. Students will not be penalized if the recording shuts off after one minute. Consider downloading and using the free audio-recording program, Audacity (see below for more information) 2. Mac: The iLife Suite, included with all newer iMacs, includes Garage Band. Older Macs have SoundTrack. Record each exercise. Each exercise of the audition needs to be a separate file. We recommend including the audition- track number as a part of the file name. Save each exercise as a separate track with a title that makes sense to you (John Smith Tuba Track 1, John Smith Tuba, Track 2, etc.). Each student will have 2-5 files created, depending on the category. Listen to each file to make sure it recorded with good sound. Save these files in a logical location on the computer. Remember, the resulting file must be in .mp3 format. Itunes is a great tool to convert various audio file formats to .mp3. Download Itunes (a free program), import the audio and convert the files to .mp3.

Windows users, please note: As stated earlier, many versions of Sound Recorder may have a 60-second limit to recordings that might cut off recording before the end of an exercise. Please consider downloading and using Audacity, a free audio-recording program. It is free, easy to use, and will easily convert your files to the required .mp3 format. Go to http://audacity.sourceforge.net, follow the instructions and download Audacity. At the same location, follow the instructions to download the LAME MP3 Encoder. Launch Audacity and record a test (using the red record icon button). Under the File menu, select Export as .MP3

Mac users, please note: Audacity is also available for Macs and gets good reviews. Still need recording help? Remember your logical help resources: tech-savvy music teachers or other teachers in your building, building and district tech support, tech-savvy students (an especially good resource!) and other music educators in your region. And remember, we are providing technical support as well. Your tech experts contact information is on your application page.

2012 WMEA All-State Audition Materials Jazz Saxophones and Brass

All examples are to be played alone (without accompaniment) except where indicated.

Basic Audition
The following three tracks are required of all wind applicants ALTO SAXOPHONE (pages 3-4) TENOR SAXOPHONE (pages 5-6) BARITONE SAXOPHONE (pages 7-8) TRUMPET (pages 9-10) TROMBONE (pages 11-12)
Track 1 Play Swing Excerpt - #1 as indicated on separate page. Track 2 Play Ballad Excerpt - #2 as indicated on separate page. Track 3 Play Latin/Straight 8th Excerpt- #3 as indicated on separate page. Additional optional improvisation tracks follow, as well as tracks for lead trumpet and bass trombone candidates.

Specialty Add-Ons Optional

LEAD TRUMPET If you would like to be considered for lead trumpet or demonstrate your lead trumpet ability, record tracks 1-3 from the Basic Audition and add these tracks.

Track 4 You may either demonstrate your improvisational skills by following that options instructions, or you may leave this track blank. Track 5 Play Lead Trumpet Excerpt - LT #1 as indicated on separate page. Track 6 Play a chromatic scale from your lowest comfortable note to highest comfortable note BOTH ascending and descending. Use legato tonguing, taking breaths as needed. (Quarter note = 132)

Improvisation Add-On Optional

ALTO SAXOPHONE IMPROVISATION TENOR SAXOPHONE IMPROVISATION BARITONE SAXOPHONE IMPROVISATION TRUMPET IMPROVISATION TROMBONE IMPROVISATION If you would like to demonstrate your improvisational skills, record tracks 1-3 from the Basic Audition and add this track.

BASS TROMBONE If you would like to be considered for bass trombone or demonstrate your bass trombone ability, record tracks 1-3 from the Basic Audition and add these tracks. Please note--if you need to take all or portions of tracks 1-3 down an octave, you are welcome to do so.
Track 4 You may either demonstrate your improvisational skills by following that options instructions, or you may leave this track blank. Track 5 Play Bass Trombone Additional Excerpt - BT #1 as indicated on separate page. Track 6 Play a descending quarter note chromatic scale from Bb in the bass clef staff to your lowest comfortable note. Use legato tonguing, taking breaths as needed. (Quarter note = 132)

Track 4 Optional improvisation. Record a Bb Blues Head of your choice and 1-4 additional improvisation choruses of a Bb Blues. This may be recorded with Jamey Aebersold or a live rhythm section of your choice, but it must be accompanied.

Page 1

2012 WMEA Audition Materials Jazz Band and Choir Rhythm Sections
All examples are to be played alone (without accompaniment) except where indicated. This rhythm section material is for both Jazz Band and Jazz Choir Rhythm auditions.

Track 1 Play the written piano part from Jazz Piano, example 1. Track 2 Comp with melody and chords for one chorus of A Misty Moment (Jazz Piano, example 2), followed by two choruses of improvisation. You may use a live rhythm section or Aebersold, Volume 25, CD 1, track 7, left channel only. Track 3 Improvise a solo playing 3 choruses of up tempo Bb blues using a live rhythm section or Aebersold, Volume 2, track 5, left channel only. Track 4 Play any additional example of your choice not to exceed one minute.

PIANO

Track 1 Play the written bass part from Jazz Bass, example 1. Track 2 Play a walking bass line on A Misty Moment (Jazz Bass, example 2) for two choruses and solo on a third chorus if you choose to, using a live rhythm section or Aebersold, Volume 25, CD 1, track 7,right channel only. Track 3 Play a bass line on a latin tune of your choosing for 1 chorus and solo for 1 chorus if you choose to. You may use a live rhythm section or a play-along recording such as Aebersold or Hal Leonard with the bass part removed. Track 4 Play any additional example of your choice not to exceed one minute.

Acoustic Bass is preferred, but electric bass is acceptable.

BASS

Track 1 Play the written guitar part from Jazz Guitar, example 1. Track 2 Comp 16 measures of chord changes from a medium tempo swing feel chart, unaccompanied. Recommendation: if possible, use materials you are currently playing in your school jazz ensemble. Track 3 Improvise a solo playing 3 choruses of up tempo Bb blues using a live rhythm section or Aebersold, Volume 2, track 5. Track 4 Play any additional example of your choice not to exceed one minute.

GUITAR

DRUMS For each of tracks 1-5, play 16 measures trading 4s divided alternately as 4 bars of time, 4 bars of solo, etc., within each 16 measure track. See separate Drum Set page for further instructions.

Track 1 Track 2 Track 3 Track 4 Track 5

Play 16 measures of medium swing. (Quarter note = 120) Play 16 measures of fast swing. (Quarter note = 200) Play 16 measures of shuffle (Quarter note = 152) Play 16 measures of Bossa Nova (Quarter note = 152) Play 16 measures contemporary straight 8th (ECM/fusion) (Quarter note = 100) Track 6 Play Big Band Excerpt -- #1 as instructed on the separate Drum Set page. (Quarter note = 200)

Optional:

Track 7 Play 16 measures of jazz waltz. (Quarter note = 144) Track 8 Play 16 measures of funk or funk shuffle. (Quarter note = 176)

Page 2

ALTO SAXOPHONE
Page 1 of 2

Required:
Swing Excerpt - #1
Swing

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Ballad Excerpt - #2

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Page 3

ALTO SAXOPHONE
Page 2 of 2

Latin/Straight 8th Excerpt - #3

Latin

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Page 4

TENOR SAXOPHONE
Page 1 of 2

Required:
Swing Excerpt - #1
Swing

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Ballad Excerpt - #2

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Page 5

TENOR SAXOPHONE
Page 2 of 2

Latin/Straight 8th Excerpt - #3

Latin

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Page 6

BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Page 1 of 2

Required:
Swing Excerpt - #1
Swing

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Ballad Excerpt - #2

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Page 7

BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Page 2 of 2

Latin/Straight 8th Excerpt - #3

Latin

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Page 8

TRUMPET
Page 1 of 2

Required:
Swing Excerpt - #1
Swing

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Ballad Excerpt - #2

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Page 9

TRUMPET
Page 2 of 2

Latin/Straight 8th Excerpt - #3

Latin

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Lead Trumpet Excerpt LT #1

Swing

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Page 10

TROMBONE
Page 1 of 2

Required:
Swing Excerpt - #1
Swing

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Ballad Excerpt - #2

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Page 11

TROMBONE
Page 2 of 2

Latin/Straight 8th Excerpt - #3

Latin

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Bass Trombone Additional Excerpt -BT #1

Swing

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Page 12

Page 13

Page 14

Jazz Bass, example 1

Samba Bass

b ? J

J J ?

q ?C b b b J

b. b J

b b

b b b J b b J J

Greg Metcalf used by permission

Page 15

Page 16

DRUM SET
Page 1 of 1

Required:
All drummers are required to play five (5) separate sixteen (16) bar phrases as follows: 16 bars at the appropriate tempo, in the appropriate style trading 4s divided alternately as 4 bars of time, 4 bars of solo, etc. Medium Swing at quarter note = 120 Fast Swing at quarter note = 200 Shuffle at quarter note = 152 Bossa Nova at quarter note = 152 Contemporary Straight 8th (ECM/fusion) at quarter note = 100

Required:
* Please play time and figures along with appropriate solo fill and set-ups.* Big Band Excerpt - #1

Rob Tapper Used with permission

Optional:(performed as instructed in exercises 1-5 above)

Jazz Waltz at quarter note = 144 Funk or Funk Shuffle at quarter note = 176

Page 17