2024 OBDC High School Honor Band

Friday & Saturday, Dec. 6 - 7, 2024

Each year, The University of Akron hosts an Honor Band for high school students as part of the Ohio Band Directors Conference. An audition application and recording is required to be considered for this ensemble - information below:

Schedule

Download the complete schedule

Participation requirements:

  1. Interested students can start the application here
  2. Deadline to submit recordings will be - Monday, October 21, 2024
  3. Students who wish to send in a physical recording must do so on a CD – with name and instrument clearly marked and send it to:
    • The University of Akron Bands
      Re: OBDC Honor Band Audition
      157 University Ave.
      Akron, OH 44325-1002

Audition Format: Compact Disc or upload a non-stop and unedited audition recording to a site such as YouTube, Vimeo, etc. and supply the link to that recording on the registration document.

  • We prefer to receive recordings with both audio and video so the applied faculty can see and hear you play. However, if this is not feasible, an audio recording is sufficient.
  • If you are performing a Class A or B solo that has piano accompaniment, you do NOT need to record with an accompanist. Simply perform the solo and feel free to skip any long rests / pauses accordingly

Audition Requirements:

  • Each student must announce his/her name and instrument clearly at the beginning of the recording.
  • Once complete they should then record the following scales (see Scale Requirements below) and a Class A or B solo from the OMEA Solo and Ensemble Required List OR a comparable etude—please announce the title and composer of the solo work or etude.
    • Accompaniment is not required
    • The entire solo is not required - simply perform two contrasting sections (specify this in your introduction)
  • Percussionists are required to record a Class A or B snare solo (rudimental OR concert is acceptable), and a xylophone OR marimba solo (no accompaniment required)—please announce the title and composer for each solo work.
    • Accompaniment is not required
    • The entire solo is not required - simply perform two contrasting sections (specify this in your introduction)
  • Percussionists are also encouraged, but not required, to record a timpani etude: choose any ONE of the four-drum etudes from Saul Goodman’s Modern Method for Timpani.
    • Accompaniment is not required
    • The entire solo is not required - simply perform two contrasting sections (specify this in your introduction)

Scale requirements: ["written scale" - not concert pitch]

  • FLUTE: D major scale—3 octaves to high B—slurred.
  • OBOE: B major and Db major scales—2 octaves—slurred.
  • BASSOON: Bb chromatic scale—3 octaves—slurred.
  • Bb CLARINET: F major scale—2 octaves—slurred.
  • BASS CLARINET: F major scale—2 octaves—slurred
  • ALTO SAXOPHONE: D major scale—2 octaves—tongued.
  • TENOR SAXOPHONE: D major scale—2 octaves—tongued.
  • BARITONE SAXOPHONE: D major scale—2 octaves—tongued.
  • FRENCH HORN: C major scale—2 octaves—slurred.
  • TRUMPET: C major scale—2 octaves—slurred.
  • TROMBONE/EUPH: Bb major scale—2 octaves—tongued.
  • BASS TROMBONE: Bb major scale—2 octaves—tongued.
  • TUBA: Ab major scale—2 octaves—tongued.
  • PERCUSSION: No scales required

After the initial screening of applicants, all students will receive notification of their status in early November.

Those students selected to the OBDC Honor Band will receive chair-placement audition materials and additional information about the schedule via email in early November.

A $50 fee for administrative costs is required for participation, and can be paid during the OBDC Honor Band registration when students arrive on campus in December.  NOTE: An additional $10 fee will be charged to those students who commute and park a car on campus for the event.

Start the application

UA Applied Wind & Percussion Faculty

Questions?

Contact Galen Karriker, Director of Bands at 330-972-6180 or email gsk1@uakron.edu