REGION BAND AUDITION INFORMATION (Grades 7-12)

CLICK HERE FOR AUDITION INFORMATION AND FORMS FOR REGIONAL BAND.   To type in the website manually, you can go to www.njsma.com.

OVERVIEW:

  • Region Band is offered at the Middle School (also know as “intermediate”) Level (Grades 7-9) and the High School Level (Grades 9-12.)   These groups are for strong woodwind and brass players as well as percussionists who are near the top of their sections and tend to put in a fair amount of time practicing.  These are “all-star” groups and are not for students who are brand new on their instruments.  If you qualify for the HS region band, you will then be eligible to audition for all-state.   There is no all-state band at the MS level.  Please note that there may also a piano audition for this group, but that depends on the music chosen.  Check the website for details on whether or not that is offered.

REGION ORCHESTRA AUDITION INFORMATION (Grades 6-12)

CLICK HERE FOR AUDITION INFORMATION AND FORMS FOR REGIONAL ORCHESTRA.   To type in the website manually, you can go to www.njsma.com.

OVERVIEW:

  • Region Orchestra is offered at the Middle School (also know as “intermediate”) Level (Grades 6-9) and the High School Level (Grades 9-12.)   These groups are for strong string players who are near the top of their sections and tend to put in a fair amount of time practicing.  These are “all-star” groups and are not for students who are brand new on their instruments.  If you qualify for the MS or HS region orchestra, you will then be eligible to audition for all-state.   There is all-state orchestra at the MS level.  Please note that there may also a piano audition for this group, but that depends on the music chosen.  Check the website for details on whether or not that is offered.
  • CLICK HERE for all of this year’s info from Mr. Verderese including deadlines, links and other info
  • Application Deadlines:  NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  Please understand that you must abide by the registration deadlines given by Mr. Verderese/Mrs. Ofshinsky.  The published deadlines by the Region may be different as we need time to prepare and send the paperwork you bring to us.

HIGH SCHOOL BAND (9-12) AUDITION/APPLICATION DEADLINES: Usually in Mid-November

HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA (9-12) AUDITION/APPLICATION DEADLINES: Usually in Mid-November

HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ (9-12) AUDITION/APPLICATION DEADLINES: Usually in February

MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND (7-9) AUDITION/APPLICATION DEADLINES: Usually in Mid-December

MIDDLE SCHOOL ORCHESTRA (6-9) AUDITION/APPLICATION DEADLINES: Usually in Mid-November

MIDDLE SCHOOL JAZZ (9-12) AUDITION/APPLICATION DEADLINES: Usually in Mid-February

ALL STATE HIGH SCHOOL BAND (9-12) AUDITION/APPLICATION DEADLINES: 1 week after qualifying for Regions (January)

ALL STATE ORCHESTRA (6-12) AUDITION/APPLICATION DEADLINES: Usually in Mid-March

ALL STATE JAZZ (9-12) AUDITION/APPLICATION DEADLINES: Usually in Mid-April

PAPERWORK SUBMISSION:

  • Signature pages must be completed with student and parents signatures and date.  Mr. Verderese and Mrs. Ofshinsky will get the principal’s signature once all applications are received.  Do not send information directly to NJSMA or call them.  Please direct all questions to us and If we are unaware of the answer, we will find out for you.
  • Payment: Cash is accepted.  Checks should be made out to CHS Instrumental Music.    For activities that offer Credit Card payment, please utilize this feature.

AUDITION MATERIALS:

  • Scales – are listed on the website.  Remember that scales are not concert key scales.  For example, if you play clarinet, and they ask you for an F scale, it starts on the F for clarinet.
  • Solo Piece – required pieces are listed on the website.
  • Sightreading – will be presented to you in the audition room

SCHEDULE:

  • Please take a look at the rehearsal schedule before you sign up to audition.  You MUST be able to attend all required rehearsals and the concert in order to participate.  Do not audition if you are not able to actually participate in the group.  If you audition and make the group, you are required to participate.  Failure to participate after qualifying will result in a 1 year ban from auditioning for region and all state groups.  This rule is set by NJSMA, not Cresskill.

PREPARATION: 

  • Please realize that you should be practicing multiple times a week, if not every day in preparation for Region auditions.  This is not something that you should be waiting until the last minute to prepare for.

QUESTIONS?

  • If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Verderese or Mrs. Ofshinsky.