Commercial Band Audition Material

Fall 2024 Commercial Music Ensembles Audition Information 

Commercial Music Ensemble Auditions and First Week of Rehearsals: Auditions are during the FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES 

Audition Days/Times - Be sure to sign up for an audition ASAP 

Monday August 26 – 5:00pm – 9:00pm 

Tuesday August 27 – 2:30pm – 9:30pm 

First class meeting Thursday during the first week of class - You’ll receive notification on which ensemble you are in and what time/which class. 

For the Audition: 

1. Complete the Audition Form (link below)to give me all of your pertinent information, and other things. Please do not forget this form. It needs to be completed PRIOR to the audition. Only takes about 3 mins.

Personal Info Form Link 

2. Sign up for a 7-minute audition slotthat is convenient for you. Please sign up for an audition time. If you aren’t able to make any of the slots for the instruments/voice, please use the “Flex” spots. If none of the audition slots work, please contact Dr. Jester (see info at bottom of page). Sign up for your audition by clicking the SignUp Genius Link.

Fall 2024 Audition Signup 

3. Show up at the audition at your time(or preferably before) - CHRYST HALL, 2nd floor main large room. This building is directly across the street from Sugar Bowl. 
4. During the 7-minute audition,you will sing/play the materials for your particular voice/instrument. PLEASE READ THE AUDITION REQUIREMENTS BELOW FOR YOUR SPECIFIC INSTRUMENT/VOICE. PLEASE COME PREPARED WITH YOUR OWN TRACKS TO PLAY WITH. YOU are responsible for coming in and having YOUR OWN accompaniment ready to go, or you will forfeit your audition time. Each audition slot is 7 mins. NEW members (freshmen to seniors!) are welcome and encouraged to audition. Previous experience is not required. 
5. ABOUT RESULTS and ENROLLING IN CLASS The results will be emailed to everyone who signed up for an audition. Dr. Jester will be providing final rosters for each section of class and the department will enroll you in the appropriate class. This is a class for .5 credits UNLESS you are in more than one ensemble and that ensemble enrolled you first OR you have completed 2 credits of ensembles in 4 semesters. Otherwise, all students must be enrolled in the .5 credit section. The class will meet as a mass group on Thursday during the first week of class.

2 prepared songs of contrasting styles performed with backing tracks. 
 

Song 1 - 1 minute
 

Song 2 - 1 minute
 

Singing harmonies - 30 seconds 

One piece can be original, at least one must be a cover 

One piece should demonstrate background vocals or the ability to sing harmonies. 

One piece should include improvisation (melodic and/or lyrical). Some ideas for soloists to emulate are: Aretha Franklin, Freddie Mercury, James Brown, Esperanza Spalding, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton 

Rapping can be either as a cover or an original 

Singers must bring in their own backing tracks, and need to be ready to go to quickly plug into a headphone jack-style plug to play their songs (this might require a computer if you don’t have a phone converter. 

If you have questions about pieces or what to audition on please contact Brandon Martinez brandon.martinez@millersville.edu 

2 prepared songs of contrasting style  

Song 1 - Approx 2 mins 

Song 2 - Approx 2 mins (must include a solo if possible) 

Should demonstrate diversity of both rhythmic and melodic playing 

One piece should include a lead guitar solo. Some ideas for soloists to emulate are Jimi Hendrix, Annie Clark, Carlos Santana, David Gilmour, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Prince, etc. 

Pieces should demonstrate a variety of chordal usage: open chords, barre chords, power chords, triads, etc. 

If you wish to also be considered for singing lead, please sign up for a second audition slot specifically for singers.  

If you wish to be considered for a backing vocalist, please demonstrate singing and playing at the same time in your audition.  

You must bring in YOUR OWN backing tracks, and need to be ready to go to quickly plug into a headphone jack-style plug to play their songs (this might require a computer if you don’t have a phone converter. 

If you have questions about pieces or what to audition on please contact Professor Cullen at david.cullen@millersville.edu or Professor Banks at rusty.banks@millersville.edu 

2 prepared songs of contrasting style  

Song 1 - Approx 2 mins  

Song 2 - Approx 2 mins 

Should demonstrate diversity of both rhythmic and melodic playing 

One piece should include finger picking (not strummed) 

Pieces should demonstrate a variety of chordal usage: open chords, barre chords, power chords, triads, etc. 

If you wish to also be considered for singing lead, please sign up for a second audition slot specifically for singers.  

If you wish to be considered for a backing vocalist, please demonstrate singing and playing at the same time in your audition.  

You must bring in YOUR OWN backing tracks, and need to be ready to go to quickly plug into a headphone jack-style plug to play their songs (this might require a computer if you don’t have a phone converter. 

If you have questions about pieces or what to audition on please contact Professor Cullen at david.cullen@millersville.edu or Professor Banks at rusty.banks@millersville.edu 

2 prepared songs of contrasting style  

Song 1 - Approx 2 mins  

Song 2 - Approx 2 mins 

Should demonstrate diversity of both rhythmic and melodic playing 

Pieces should demonstrate rock piano voicings (i.e. not playing a bass line) 

One piece should include some kind of improvisation 

If you wish to also be considered for singing lead, please sign up for a second audition slot specifically for singers.  

If you wish to be considered for a backing vocalist, please demonstrate singing and playing at the same time in your audition.  

You must bring in YOUR OWN backing tracks, and need to be ready to go to quickly plug into a headphone jack-style plug to play their songs (this might require a computer if you don’t have a phone converter. 

If you have questions about pieces or what to audition on please contact Dr. Pan at xun.pan@millersville.edu

4 prepared bass grooves: 

Should demonstrate a variety of styles that show versatility and ability to play in the pocket 

Some ideas for bassists to emulate for cover grooves: James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, Flea, Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, Gail Ann Dorsey, etc. 

One can be composed, three should be covers 

If you wish to also be considered for singing lead, please sign up for a second audition slot specifically for singers.  

If you wish to be considered for a backing vocalist, please demonstrate singing and playing at the same time in your audition.  

You must bring in YOUR OWN backing tracks, and need to be ready to go to quickly plug into a headphone jack-style plug to play their songs (this might require a computer if you don’t have a phone converter. 

If you have questions about pieces or what to audition on please contact Professor Vitale at michael.vitale@millersville.edu 

2 prepared pieces and 2-4 additional grooves 

Should demonstrate a variety of groove styles: aka Rock, Hip Hop, Latin, etc. 

Must demonstrate the ability to play along with the recording and demonstrate the ability to switch between drum grooves in sections of the song 

If you wish to be considered for a backing vocalist, please demonstrate singing and playing at the same time in your audition.  

You must bring in YOUR OWN backing tracks, and need to be ready to go to quickly plug into a headphone jack-style plug to play their songs (this might require a computer if you don’t have a phone converter. 

If you have questions about pieces or what to audition on please contact Professor Goss at stephan.goss@millersville.edu or Professor Murr at paul.murr@millersville.edu 

2 prepared pieces 

Should demonstrate style and versatility as lead or accompanist 

Should include an improvisatory section 

Encouraged for brass, strings, and winds: an original, simple arrangement of you playing backgrounds over a chord progression. Backing tracks or karaoke tracks can be found via YouTube for free.  If you wish to be considered for a backing vocalist, please demonstrate singing and playing at the same time in your audition.  

You must bring in YOUR OWN backing tracks, and need to be ready to go to quickly plug into a headphone jack-style plug to play their songs (this might require a computer if you don’t have a phone converter. 

If you have questions about pieces or what to audition on please contact your private lesson teacher or Dr. Jester at jennifer.jester@millersville.edu 

Your live audition gives us a view into your abilities as a player, so we encourage you to choose a piece that showcases what makes you unique as a musician, whether it's live looping, loop variation, live effects processing, finger drumming, live synth playing, or all of the above. ANY of the Commercial Ensembles could make use of a person triggering samples, playing patches, manipulating filters, etc.

 

Audition: 
These are the sections of your audition 

Prepared piece performed live (cannot be pre-recorded) Your prepared piece should be:
- performed live (cannot be pre-recorded)
- approximately 1-2 minutes in length
- in any style that demonstrates your instrumental proficiency and your overall musicianship. 

An improvisational exercise 

Your selection should showcase your ability in areas such as: 

clip launching; 

live synth playing; 

finger drumming; 

live effects processing; 

live looping; and/or 

loop variation. 

Choosing Your Prepared Piece 

You should perform a piece that you are comfortable with and that displays your strengths as an electronic musician. Select a piece that highlights what you feel represents your best abilities as a live performer. Choose a piece that showcases your individual style and your ability to perform live, such as an original, a cover, or a live remix.  

All components of your instrument:  

Computer and power cords/cables/charger. 

Controllers (grid, keyboard, mixer, or other): there is a 49-key MIDI controller available on-site, but we strongly suggest that you use your own controllers. 

Cables for your setup: our PA system allows for female XLR, balanced 1/4", and 1/8" cable connections. 

An audio interface and/or mixer if you need one: we will provide tables and music stands. 

Headphones if you'd like to check your sound before playing in the room. 

Setting up 

You will have less than 1 minute to set up for the audition, so please be mindful of bringing a performance system that you can set up relatively quickly that will still allow you to demonstrate your musical abilities.  

If you wish to also be considered for singing lead, please sign up for a second audition slot specifically for singers.  

If you wish to be considered for a backing vocalist, please demonstrate singing and playing at the same time in your audition.  

You must bring in YOUR OWN backing tracks, and need to be ready to go to quickly plug into a headphone jack-style plug to play their songs (this might require a computer if you don’t have a phone converter. 

If you have questions about pieces or what to audition on please contact Rusty Banks at rusty.banks@millersville.edu.