2005 Kern County Honor Band
TO: Kern County High School Instrumentalists
FROM: Mr. Steven Mettler, Honor Band Chairman
I am pleased to invite all Kern County high school music students to audition for this year’s Kern County Honor Band. As usual, the group will perform at “It’s a Grand Night for Music” in the Bakersfield Convention Center on February 1st, 2005. Woodwind, brass, and percussion auditions will be held at West High School on Saturday, January 8, 2005. Our guest conductor this year will be Dr. Patricia Childress, the newly appointed Director of Instrumental Music at CSU Bakersfield. Selections for the concert will include the “Florentiner’s Grand Italian March,” by Julius Fucik, “Shenandoah,” by Frank Ticheli, “Havendance,” by David Holsinger, and “Galop,” by Dmitri Shostakovich, arranged by Don Hunsberger.
This is an event you will not want to miss. If you are usually timid about auditions, consider this audition as a part of your musical growth. You have nothing to lose! As my first year as Chairman, I expect an enormous turnout on January 8th at West High School and I look forward to meeting and hearing from you all. Good Luck.
Auditions: Auditions are held from 8am to 12:30pm and all time slots are on a first come first serve basis. When you arrive at West High, please check in near the Band Room (across from the park) and find out where your instrument is to report. Please be courteous in regards to auditions that are in session. Your Director will be notified as to the outcome of the day’s events. Bring your completed and signed application with you that morning. Have extra reeds, valve oil, pitch pipes (timpani), and tuner on hand.
The audition material is located on the West High School web-site under Kern County Honor Band. Please download your music and scales from this site. All participants will be expected to play scales up to four sharps and four flats, including the chromatic scale, slurred two octaves.
If you cannot commit to every rehearsal listed on the application, then do not audition. It is absolutely crucial that you attend every rehearsal and be on time, or you may be dropped from the group. There are no excuses for a missed rehearsal, so check your calendar in advance.
If you have any questions, please e-mail me at steve_mettler@khsd.k12.ca.us or call me at 661-832-2822.
Sincerely,
Steven G. Mettler
Grand Night Director Participation
Instrument Excerpts: