Auditions

 

Placement Auditions for 2026-27!

For students wishing to move to a more advanced ensemble, auditions begin after Spring Break. Students will have placement auditions April 6 - 17, 2026. For middle school students at Slauson and Tappan, Mr. Polot will students' Band class and hear auditions at the middle school. All other middle school students/parents should email Mr. Polot at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to set up an appointment at Pioneer.

For your audition, students will need to prepare specified Scale Mastery scales and musical solos/excerpts/etudes that are instrument specific. Additionally, as part of your audition, there will be 7-9 measures of sightreading. 

Matriculation and Recommitment auditions for current high school students will take place after school the same week. Students will sign-up in the Pioneer Band Room. Current CBW, CBP, and SB students will play Scale Mastery #11-21 in lieu of the listed scales. Please click here to download all solos/excerpts/etudes.

 

Concert Band White:

Woodwinds, Brasses:

 

Percussion:

  • Play a well-prepared performance of the assigned audition music of the following excerpts/etudes: 

    1. The Wooton “Rudimental Remedies” Double Stroke rolls with 16th note base (quarter note = 108)

    2. 2-Mallet Etude - Daughtrey and McClaren “The Book of Percussion Audition Music” (quarter note = 120)

    3. Timpani Etude - Hochrainer “Etude for Timpani”  Allegro (quarter note = 108)

       

Concert Band Purple:

Woodwinds, Brasses:

Percussion:

  • Play an excellent performance of the assigned audition music of the following excerpts/etudes: 

    1. The Wooton “Rudimental Remedies” Double Stroke rolls with 16th note base (quarter note = 108)

    2. 2-Mallet Etude - Daughtrey and McClaren “The Book of Percussion Audition Music” (quarter note = 120)

    3. Timpani Etude - Hochrainer “Etude for Timpani”  Allegro (quarter note = 108)

Symphony Band:

Woodwinds, Brasses:

 

Percussion:

  • Play an outstanding performance of the assigned audition music of the following excerpts/etudes: 

    The Wooton “Rudimental Remedies” Double Stroke rolls with 16th note base (quarter note = 108)

    1. Concert Snare Etude - Larson “Progressive Studies for Snare Drum” Closed/Buzz rolls (quarter note = 132)

    2. 4-Mallet Etude - Larkin arr. Ginsburg “Hollow Knight Main Theme” (quarter note = 74)

    3. Timpani Etude - Hochrainer “Etude for Timpani” Schnell - Quickly (quarter note = 160)

 

For incoming 9th grade students

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One of the first major steps in the transition to high school is the audition process. Middle school band directors are aware of the transitional issues their students face and work hard to prepare their musicians. Middle school band directors provide the audition music to students who plan to continue the band experience after 8th grade, and work with them to practice it properly.

In late March or early April, Pioneer Director of Bands visits each middle school band classroom to conduct individual interviews and auditions. This gives students the chance to ask questions and demonstrate their musical skills.

In late spring, student audition results are complete and students are informed as to which Pioneer Band ensemble they have been assigned. Student 9th grade course selections can then be completed, confirmed, or changed as appropriate.

 

For current band students

Band auditions after Spring Break to determine placement in the Pioneer Band ensembles for the following school year. The music for these auditions is given to students by their band director. New students to Pioneer may request a personal audition with the Director of Bands.

Chair audition dates are given well in advance. Students sign up for individual times. Symphony Band students generally audition first, followed by Concert and Varsity Bands. Particular dates for each band are announced in class. Due to the number of students in our band program, time does not allow for additional auditions. All students within various sections (i.e., flutes, clarinets, trumpets) will be given the same music to prepare. This music is also drilled in the classroom; perfection of this music, however, can only be accomplished outside of the classroom.