Mississippi Lions All-State Band Audition Helps
The videos here are designed to provide "pointers" to low brass students auditioning for the Mississippi Lions All-State Band. Some of the videos feature verbal instruction, others provide demonstration, and some include both. Understand that while these videos can be useful practice aides, they are no replacement for regular lessons with a good private teacher. If you would like help finding a qualified teacher in your area, please contact Dr. Everett.
The demonstration videos include examples played on tenor trombone, euphonium, and tuba. I have endeavored to provide a uniform approach to interpretation between the three instruments, though generally speaking I breathe more frequently when playing the tuba, for obvious reasons.
In order to facilitate easier loading of these materials on mobile devices they are now divided into several pages rather than continuing to have just one large page. It is set up to have very simple navigation but if you experience difficulties please contact Dr. Everett. You can also browse all of the videos as a YouTube playlist, which appears below.
General Thoughts on Audition Preparation
Scales
Discussion
Trombone Demonstration
Euphonium Demonstration
Tuba Demonstration
These videos (and accompanying sheet music linked below) present three versions of the scale portion of the audition for each instrument. The first version has the scales played more slowly (half note = 60, quarter note = 120), two octaves only, with a 2.5-octave chromatic scale. The second is a medium tempo (half note = 72, quarter note = 144), with three of the major scales played three octaves and a three-octave chromatic scale. The third is faster (half note = 84, quarter note = 168), with half of the major scales played three octaves and a three-octave chromatic scale. The purpose here is to demonstrate examples of how students of differing ability levels might approach the scale part of the audition in a manner that would lead to the most successful auditions possible for them. Some students might wish to create their own unique approaches to the scale portion of the audition, perhaps with different scales played three octaves or even with a four-octave scale or two--just remember to stay within three minutes!
Sheet Music for Lions Band Scales
*Don't forget that the scales have to be memorized, so wean yourself off of the sheet music as quickly as possible!
Trombone/Euphonium B.C. Version 1 Version 2 Version 3
Euphonium T.C. Version 1 Version 2 Version 3
Tuba Version 1 Version 2 Version 3
Sight-Reading