Music
All County
ALL EMS BAND STUDENTS WHO WISH TO AUDITION MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:
- Complete individual lessons with Mr. Drake before the audition date. (This also includes students who take private lessons.)
- Purchase the method books which contain the audition music. No copies!
- Perform the audition scale and excerpt/solo exactly as requested.
The purpose of the CCPS All-County performing ensembles is to provide outstanding students with the opportunity to rehearse and perform appropriately challenging literature with a master music educator/conductor of statewide or national recognition in order to foster advanced aesthetic understandings. Students will interact and perform with other outstanding musicians who share similar interests and abilities. Participating students will also gain skills and understandings that will help them assume leadership roles in their school ensembles.
Eligibility
- Students must be an active member of their CCPS instrumental music program.
- Students may participate in more than one All-County ensemble if the ensembles do not perform on the same concert.
- If a student qualifies for All-County Orchestra on both a string instrument and a wind or percussion instrument, the student will participate in the Orchestra on the string instrument
Application
- Eligible students must submit an application to audition for an All-County ensemble.
- Instrumental music teachers should encourage all students with above average musical ability, and students who would benefit from the All-County experience, to audition.
- School instrumental music teachers should collect the completed applications and send them to the Audition Chairperson so that they arrive by the specified deadline.
Audition Procedure
- Auditions will be held on one evening in the fall, to be determined by the Supervisor of Fine Arts.
- CCPS instrumental music teachers will be requested to assist with the audition and rehearsal process. (See “Professional Staff Audition Responsibilities”)
- Adjudicators will arrive thirty (30) minutes before the audition begins for a brief meeting with the Fine Arts Supervisor. Two adjudicators, whose scores will be final, will adjudicate all audition events. In the event of tied scores, the student with the higher sight-reading score will be ranked higher.
- Students will be scheduled to audition during thirty (30) minute time blocks and will be assigned a confidential identification number, known only by the Audition Chairperson. Students with scheduling conflicts should notify their director as soon as possible so that the Audition Chairperson can attempt to adjust the audition time. Upon arrival at the audition location, students should register and proceed to the warm-up area. Students should arrive early enough to allow time for an adequate warm-up.
- When possible, students will audition behind a screen to make the auditions as objective as possible.
- Students will perform the complete audition requirements as stated in “Audition Requirements:”
- Adjudicators will ask the student for the required scales (two diatonic scales and wind instruments will be asked to play one chromatic scale) or percussion rudiments.
- Adjudicators will ask the student to perform representative excerpt(s) of the prepared audition solo.
- Adjudicators will ask the student to perform a short sight-reading excerpt.
- Adjudicators should hold the scores of the first three students. After each of the first three students auditions, the adjudicators should take a moment to discuss the scores in order to establish a uniform scoring procedure.
- If a student comes into the audition room with the wrong prepared music, the adjudicators should send them back to the registration desk, where they will be given a copy of the correct music and thirty (30) minutes to prepare it.
- No make-up auditions will be held. However, if there is a need for additional personnel, vacancies will be filled at the discretion of the Supervisor of Fine Arts through teacher recommendations with possible in school auditions when necessary.
Participation
- The Supervisor of Fine Arts will release the official placement results within approximately two weeks of the audition. The audition score sheets will be forwarded to the instrumental music teachers to be used at their discretion.
- Students will be accepted into All-County ensembles and assigned parts by the Supervisor of Fine Arts based upon audition scores and instrumentation needs.
- Students must commit to every scheduled rehearsal on the rehearsal schedule. Absences from rehearsals may result in dismissal from All-County ensembles.
- Once the student auditions and is selected for an All-County performing group, failure to fulfill the commitment to the organization for unexcused reasons could result in the inability to audition for future All-County performing groups as determined by the Supervisor of Fine Arts.
Audition Requirements
Middle School Winds
- Scales
- All scales must be played from memory.
- All wind scales are to be played ascending and descending one octave, except for Flute and Soprano Clarinet, who will perform them two octaves.
- All students will perform a chromatic scale one octave up and down in eighth notes at a tempo of at least quarter note = 80.
- Students will perform two major scales to be selected by the adjudicators from the following keys: A, D, G, C, F, Bb, Eb. Major scales must be tongued with a rhythm of a quarter note followed by eighth notes at a tempo of at least quarter note = 80.
- The required, prepared solo.
- The music is from the MBDA Junior All-State music.
- Students must prepare the entire segment that the county selected from the MBDA All-State music, but will only be required to perform an excerpt, which will be announced by the adjudicators in the audition room.
- A short sight-reading excerpt, which will be presented to the students by the adjudicators in the audition room.
Middle School Percussion
Students must bring their own sticks/mallets. Percussion students will be required to audition on all of the following instruments: snare drum, keyboard percussion and timpani. Students will receive a separate score for each area. Principal timpani, 2 mallet players, and the first 2 battery members will be determined based the on highest scores in each of those separate areas. In addition, scores from all three areas will then be averaged to determine the remaining battery members.
- Snare Drum
- A long multiple-bounce roll from pp to ff and back to pp in approximately 20 seconds.
- A rudiment, to be chosen by the adjudicator from the following: Single-stroke roll, double-stroke roll, five-stroke roll, seven-stroke roll, nine-stroke roll, single paradiddle, double paradiddle, flam, flam tap, ruff (drag). Eight to ten repetitions of the rudiment are sufficient.
- The required, prepared solo.
- The music is the same as the MBDA Junior All-State music.
- Students must prepare the entire segment that the county selected from the MBDA All-State music, but will only be required to perform an excerpt, which will be announced by the adjudicators in the audition room.
- A short sight-reading excerpt, which will be presented to the students by the adjudicators in the audition room.
- Keyboard Percussion
- A range-of-instrument chromatic scale in eighth notes at a tempo of at least quarter note = 80 from memory.
- One major scale to be selected by the adjudicators from the following keys: A, D, G, C, F, Bb, Eb. Major scales are to be played ascending and descending two octaves from memory. Major scales must be played with a rhythm of a quarter note followed by eighth notes at a tempo at least of quarter note = 80. (See “All-County Scales.”)
- The required, prepared solo.
- The music is the same as the MBDA Junior All-State music.
- Students must prepare the entire segment that the county selected from the MBDA All-State music, but will only be required to perform an excerpt, which will be announced by the adjudicators in the audition room.
- A short sight-reading excerpt, which will be presented to the students by the adjudicators in the audition room.
- Timpani
- Tune two timpani to notes requested by the adjudicator. A pitch source may be used.
- A long concert (single-stroke) roll from pp to ff and back to pp in approximately 20 seconds.
- The required, prepared solo.
- The music is the same as the MBDA Junior All-State music.
- Students must prepare the entire segment that the county selected from the MBDA All-State music, but will only be required to perform an excerpt, which will be announced by the adjudicators in the audition room.
- A short sight-reading excerpt, which will be presented to the students by the adjudicators in the audition room.
Middle School Strings
- Scales
- All scales must be played from memory.
- All string scales are to be played ascending and descending one octave, except violin will be required to play scales two octaves.
- Students will perform two major scales for his/her instrument to be selected by the adjudicators from the following keys: A, D, G, C, F, Bb. Major scales must be played with a rhythm of a quarter note followed by eighth notes at a tempo of at least quarter note = 72. (See “All-County Scales.”)
- The required, prepared solo.
- The music is provided by the Carroll County Public School.
- Students must prepare the entire solo but will only be required to perform an excerpt, which will be announced by the adjudicators in the audition room.
- A short sight-reading excerpt, which will be presented to the students by the adjudicators in the audition room.
Chorus
In Choral music, every voice matters. Every singer makes a unique contribution to the sound of the whole group. Choral music is truly a team effort. As such, all members have a responsibility to each other to give their very best during rehearsals and performances. What each singer does affects the success of the entire group.We should all expect the best from each other and from ourselves.
Together, let's create something wonderful!
Chorus classes focus on these Choral Skills:
healthy vocal techniques
quality tone production
unification of ensemble sound
artistic interpretation and expression
communication of meaning
musical independence
rehearsal skills
performance skills and etiquette
music literacy
self-assessment
self-advocacy
collaboration
respect, resilience, and responsibility
These skills are applied to the repertoire prepared for concerts. Thus, students do not just learn to "sing songs" in Chorus class. Students work to build vocal and musical skills that will enrich their music-making throughout their lives.
All students enrolled in Chorus will perform in a Winter Concert and a Spring Concert this school year. It is expected that all students enrolled in a chorus class attend both concerts. Each concert performance counts as a major summative grade for this course.
Important Dates
Eisteddfod Information
EMS Eisteddfod Representatives
Eisteddfod is the name of the CCPS All-County Chorus.
Ten members of the EMS 8th Grade Chorus will represent our school in this year's Eisteddfod Concert at Westminster High School.
All family and friends are invited to attend the free Eisteddfod Concert.
FLEX Rehearsals
Mrs. Wolfe will hold weekly FLEX rehearsals from mid-January through March to help the EMS Eisteddfod Representatives learn their music.
Singers should bring music and a pencil to these rehearsals.
MANDATORY Evening Rehearsals and Field Trip
The Representatives from all middle schools will practice together at these mandatory rehearsals.
Evening Rehearsal #1: TBD, from 6:30-8:30 pm at Shiloh Middle School
Evening Rehearsal #2: TBD, from 6:30-8:30 pm at Westminster High School
Evening Rehearsal #3: TBD, from 6:30-8:30 pm at Westminster High School
FIELD TRIP Rehearsal: TBD, during the school day at Westminster High School - (Bring a bag lunch for the field trip.)
SNOW DATE: TBD
Resources
Supply List
Method Books
Every student enrolled in the instrumental music program need to have a method book.
6th Band Essential Elements 2000 Bk. 1
7th Band Essential Elements 2000 Bk. 1 or 2 (depending on if student has successfully passed book 1)
8th Band To Be Announced in Lessons.
6-8th Orchestra Essential Elements 2000 Bk. 1
6-8th Percussion Drum Class Method by Alan Heim Bk.1/2
Materials
Flute: Pencils, Small Soft Cloth, nametag
Oboe / Bassoon: Pencils, Cleaning Swab, Cork Grease, 35mm film container and lid, at least 2 Good Reeds, Reed Case (an altoid tin will work well), nametag
Clarinet / Bass Clarinet: Pencils, Cork Grease, Cleaning Swab or Pad Saver, at least 4 Good Reeds (#2½ or higher), Mouthpiece Guard, Reed Storage Case, nametag, Mitchell Lurie Reeds preferred, no Rico reeds please.
Alto / Tenor / Baritone Saxophones: Pencils, Cork Grease, Cleaning Swab or Pad Saver, at least 4 Good Reeds (#2½ or higher), Mouthpiece Guard, Reed Storage Case, Neck Strap, nametag, Vandoren Reeds preferred, no Rico reeds please.
Trumpet: Pencils, Valve Oil, Tuning Slide Grease, Cleaning Kit, Bach 7c or lower Mouthpiece (or other brand equivalent) , nametag
French Horn: Pencils, Rotary Valve Oil, Tuning Slide Grease, Cleaning Kit, nametag
Trombone: Pencils, Slide Cream, Spray Bottle, Tuning Slide Grease, Cleaning Kit, nametag
Baritone / Euphonium / Tuba: Pencils, Valve Oil, Tuning Slide Grease, Cleaning Kit, nametag
Percussion: Pencils, 1 Pair of Vic Firth SD1 Generals, Practice Pad and Stand, Beginner bell set, bell mallets, full name or initials need to be clearly labeled on all sticks and equipment. Nylon tip sticks are not allowed.
Violin / Viola: Pencils, Correct Sized Instrument, Electronic Tuner, Rosin, Fine tuner on each string, Good Shoulder rest (Get the kind that clamp on), an extra SET of strings, Soft Cleaning Cloth, nametag
Cello / Bass: Pencils, Correct Sized Instrument, Electronic Tuner, Rosin, Fine tuner on each string, an extra SET of strings, Floor Stop, Soft Cleaning Cloth, nametag
Local Music Retailers
Coffey Music
31 E. Main Street
Westminster, MD 21157
410-848-5003
Hess Discount Music
3039 Main Street
Manchester, MD 21102
374-5447
Stu’s Music Shop, Inc.
723 Baltimore Blvd. (Route 140)
Westminster, MD 21157
410-848-7585
Music & Arts Center, Inc.
Rt. 40 West, Chatham Mall
Ellicott City, MD 21042
410-461-1844 or 301-596-1956
The Chimney Violin Shop
614 Lerew Road
Boiling Springs, PA 17007
717-258-3203
Menchey Music Service
80 Wetzel Drive
Hanover, PA 17331
800-872-2920
Jams Music Store
Eldersburg Plaza (The Chop House, Tristar Karate)
1438 Liberty Road
Eldersburg, MD 21784
410-795-2611
www.jamsmusicstore.com
Music & Art Center, Inc.
1170 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21703
301-694-0007
ONLINE MUSIC WEBSITES
1-800-345-6296
1-800-348-5003