Winds Auditions

Our auditions are flexible to meet your level of playing and your access to repertoire. We recommend the following:

  • Chromatic scale that best demonstrates your range and performance ability 

  • Approximately 1-2 minutes of prepared music – solo(s) or etude(s) that include contrasting styles. Excerpts from your current school marching band or concert band repertoire are also acceptable and appropriate.

We recommend that you prepare marching band, classical or jazz selection(s) (something that you might play at solo & ensemble festivals) or excerpts from your current school band/orchestra repertoire, but you are welcome to choose whatever you believe will best demonstrate your musicality and technical proficiency. 

The directors will evaluate your performance based on:

  • musicianship and artistry

  • sound production and resonance

  • tempo maintenance and rhythmic accuracy

We encourage you to play your audition on whichever instrument you feel most comfortable with, marching or concert. Accompaniment should not be used.

To schedule an in-person audition on Tulane's campus, or to submit digital audition materials, please reach out to Interim Director of Bands Dylan Koester dkoester@tulane.edu.

Percussion Auditions

Snare Drum/Quads/Bass Drums:

  • Exercise Packet: Double Beat, fortissimo dynamic, 120 bpm

  • Exercise Packet: 16th Timing, Fortissimo Dynamic, 112 bpm

  • Exercise Packet: Triplet Rolls, written dynamics, 136 bpm

  • Optional: An etude or performance video of your choice.

Cymbals

  • Demonstrate the following sounds in Vertical/Port or Horizontal/Gumption Positions.

    • Crash

    • Crash Choke

    • Hinge Choke/Hi-Hat

    • Slide Choke

  • Exercise Packet: 16th Timing, Snare Drum Part, forte dynamic, 120bpm

  • Optional: An etude or performance video of your choice

Front Ensemble/Mallets

  • Major Scales Exercise (Green Scales or similar) in all 12 keys

  • 2-Mallet Double Stop Exercise (Summertime, Scharton, or similar)

  • A 2- or 4-mallet etude or performance video of your choice.

Any video submissions must include an audible metronome, marking time (if applicable), and a view of the performers entire body. The feet must be visible to ensure precision while marking time. Submissions should be performed on real instruments, if possible.

The directors will evaluate your performance based on:

  • musicianship and artistry

  • sound production and resonance

  • tempo maintenance and rhythmic accuracy

We encourage you to play your audition on whichever instrument you feel most comfortable with, marching or concert. 

To schedule an in-person audition on Tulane's campus, please reach out to Associate Director of Bands, Andrew Szypula.

Schedule an Audition