2021 OBDC High School Honor Band

Friday & Saturday, Dec. 3 - 4, 2021

Each year, The University of Akron hosts an Honor Band for high school students as part of the Ohio Band Directors Conference. 

Schedule

Download the complete schedule

Participation requirements:

1. Interested students can start the application here
2. Deadline to submit recordings - Extended to Monday, October 25, 2021
3. Students who wish to send in a physical recording must do so on a CD – with name and instrument clearly marked and send it to:
   • The University of Akron Bands
     Re: OBDC Honor Band Audition
     157 University Ave.
     Akron, OH 44325-1002

Audition Format: Compact Disc or upload audition recordings to a site such as YouTube, Vimeo, etc. and supply the link to that recording on the registration document.

• We prefer to receive recordings with both audio and video so the applied faculty can see and hear you play. However, if this is not feasible, an audio recording is sufficient.
• If you are performing a Class A or B solo that has piano accompaniment, you do NOT need to record with an accompanist. Simply perform the solo and feel free to skip any long rests / pauses accordingly

Audition Requirements:

• Each student must announce his/her name and instrument clearly at the beginning of the recording.
• Once complete they should then record the following scales (see Scale Requirements below) and a Class A or B solo from the OMEA Solo and Ensemble Required List or OR a comparable etude—please announce the title and composer of the solo work or etude.
• Percussionists are required to record a Class A or B snare solo (rudimental OR concert is acceptable), and a xylophone OR marimba solo (no accompaniment required)—please announce the title and composer for each solo work.
• Percussionists are also encouraged, but not required, to record a timpani etude: choose any ONE of the four-drum etudes from Saul Goodman’s Modern Method for Timpani.

Scale requirements:

• FLUTE: D major scale—3 octaves to high B—slurred.
• OBOE: B major and Db major scales—2 octaves—slurred.
• BASSOON: Bb chromatic scale—3 octaves—slurred.
• CLARINET: Eb major scale—2 octaves—slurred.
• SAXOPHONE: Bb major scale—2 octaves—tongued.
• FRENCH HORN: F major scale—2 octaves—slurred.
• TRUMPET: C major scale—2 octaves—slurred.
• TROMBONE/EUPH: Bb major scale—2 octaves—tongued.
• BASS TROMBONE: Bb major scale—2 octaves—tongued.
• TUBA: Ab major scale—2 octaves—tongued.
• PERCUSSION: No scales required

After the initial screening of applicants, all students will receive notification of their status in early November.

Those students selected to the OBDC Honor Band will receive chair-placement audition materials and additional information about the schedule via email in early November.

A $35 fee for administrative costs is required for participation, and can be paid during the OBDC Honor Band registration when students arrive on campus in December.

Start the application