2008 Blue Knights Hornline
Audition Information
IMPORTANT!!! Some exercises have been recently updated (10/29/07). Even if you have previously downloaded all exercises for your section, please re-download any exercises with the  symbol.
PHILOSOPHY:
Thank you for your interest in the 2008 Blue Knights brass-line! Our goal as a staff is to enable the young people we teach to perform their craft at a level higher than they ever thought possible before joining the Blue Knights. Each brass musician intensely benefits from the dramatically improved individual and ensemble playing skills they acquire throughout the course of the season. Our musical goals as a staff will, however, take second priority to what we believe this activity to really be about: building extraordinary people. The lessons and the rewards of hard work, the value of the experience of working with other Blue Knights and competing against other drum and bugle corps, and what the true application of integrity can do in your life here and in "the real world" are what this activity is truly all about.
EXPECTATIONS:
The Blue Knights brass section is not just a top notch musical ensemble, but the participating musicians are required to be extremely physically fit. Anyone having gone through the Blue Knights brass program has been transformed into what we like to call a "brass athlete." As a potential first-time Blue Knight, you need to understand that although the bulk of the physical training does occur in the summer, (there is no substitute for 8-10 hours of rehearsal a day, every day, for weeks and weeks) you are expected to exercise regularly in the off-season (camp months) on your own for a few reasons: To insure that everyone is physically able to give 100%, 100% of the time at each camp, and especially from the first move-in rehearsal in May; to make sure that each member is physically able to perform their show at the minimum required quality level for that time; and to avoid injury. That’s right! The Blue Knights physical demands are intense enough that they can cause physical injury if the performer is not conditioned properly. The Blue Knights promise to educate and train your physical being as well, but we expect you to do your part at home also!
Always have your music *fully memorized one camp following the time it was handed out. It is your responsibility if you are given a spot to acquire the music yourself if you lost it or didn't get a copy at camp. There will always be easily downloadable PDF files on the members-only website (which you will have access to once you are given a spot). This includes all warm-ups and exercises, show music, encore music, parade tunes, America the Beautiful, and everything else that we might play.
*fully memorized -- able to play accurately, and in a calm and controlled manner from memory, everything on the page: notes, rhythms, accents and articulations, dynamics, and be able to convey style and emotion; played at tempo, slightly above, and below.
WHAT TO BRING:
For camp you will need a three ring binder with plastic page protectors, two pencils, your own mouthpiece, a pair of gloves for playing a corps horn, and comfortable shoes/clothing that permit movement (leave your jeans at home). Also, bring a black towel proportionate to the size of your horn for when we set the instruments down on the ground. If possible, you should bring your own horn for audition camps as we only have a limited number of corps instruments available.
THE AUDITION:
Concert horns for your audition will work fine if you do not have access to a marching horn. The basic audition format is as follows:
- interview
- required etudes**
- chromatic scale
- Optional etude/solo/exercise/etc.
- Additional playing requests from technician; i.e. lip slurs, articulation exercises, etc.
**Please be sure to carefully read the specific audition requirements for your instrument.
AUDITION MATERIALS:
- Trumpet
- Mellophone
- Baritone
- Euphonium
- Tuba
Chromatic Scale
Each musician must also come prepared to play their chromatic scale (slurred AND tongued). Prepare to play at least 2 octaves; 1/16th notes at quarter note equals 100 or faster. The chromatic scale should demonstrate the individual player's full usable range capabilities.
Optional Audition Material
In addition to these required etudes, auditionees also have the option to prepare a piece of music of their choice no more than 1:30 in length. This additional repertoire should demonstrate the players' strengths, preferably aspects other than those demonstrated in the required etudes. In other words, try to prepare an additional etude/movement of a solo/difficult exercise/etc. that is in contrast to the required etudes.
Additional Exercises
In addition to the above, each player may be asked to play basic lip slurs, articulated passages, etc. as requested by their respective brass technician.
QUESTIONS?
Contact Andy at bkbrass@bknights.org
Andy Smart
Blue Knights Brass Caption Head
bkbrass@bknights.org
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