Region Band Auditions

SCBDA Region and All-State Auditions are where all band students in the state are able to come together to compete for limited spots in one concert band per region. The highest ranking students in each region will then be invited to audition for the All-State band where the top students in the state will perform together. Each of these ensembles is seated with students of the highest caliber from the best programs and are all there because they worked harder than anyone else. Because of this fact, many colleges and universities recognize this acheivement and will award huge scholarships to students that can prove they participated in these prestigious ensembles. For example, Newberry College will award a $60,000 scholarship to any student that made it into their region band, not for them to major in music, but just for them to participate in their college concert band. Making All-State will get that student another $4,000.

Region auditions take place on January 9th at Summerville High School. All-State auditions would take place on January 16th at Chapin High School. The Audition itself takes about 10 minutes but that time will be decided and the information disseminated right before Winter Break.

Auditions consist of 4 parts: Scales, Musical Terminology, Solo, and Sight Reading. 

9th and 10th graders must play 9 Major Scales while 11th and 12th graders will play all 12 Major Scales. All grades will then play a chromatic scale. These scales are played by memory.

A multiple-option test on 5 random terms from a provided list will then take place.

All auditionees will prepare the same provided solo. This is where you really have to practice. You do not have to memorize the solo.

Two sight-reading examples will be given with 30 seconds to study silently before starting. This is where you can really climb spots easily. This part of the audition is neglected by most students.

You can sign up with this google form by October 31st. Registration will cost $15 that can be paid on CutTime. Cash and Check can also be accepted.