Stoneman Douglas Band
5901 Pine Island Road
Parkland, FL 33076
Phone: 754.322.2192
[email protected]
msdmarchingband.com
Dear 2016-17 Stoneman Douglas Band incoming students and parents,
Welcome to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Band family! The Stoneman Douglas Band, which includes
brass, woodwinds, percussion, and color guard, is one of the most award-winning organizations at
Stoneman Douglas High School and attracts some of the most talented and active students in the school.
Band members are involved in numerous clubs and service organizations on campus as class officers,
National Honor Society members, Academic Honor Students, Mu Alpha Theta members, State
representatives, peer counselors and athletic team members. When you join the band at Douglas, you
become a member of a very special organization that derives its strength from its diverse and active
membership, one that continually strives for the highest levels of excellence.
Performing ensembles include the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble I
and II, Percussion Ensembles, Winter Percussion, and our nationally-ranked Color Guard. In the fall,
all of these groups combine to form the Eagle Regiment Marching Band, the largest organization at
Stoneman Douglas High School with almost 200 students. The Band has received numerous awards
and accolades at the Florida Bandmasters Association Marching, Concert Band, and Jazz Band Music
Performance Assessments over the past 26 years. In addition to ensemble success, members of the
Stoneman Douglas Band distinguish themselves through individual efforts in All-County, All-State, Solo
and Ensemble MPAs, and other Honor Band activities.
Participation in the Stoneman Douglas band program is so much more than performance preparation;
it reinforces the importance of self-discipline as the fundamental of healthy self-esteem, group pride,
personal satisfaction, and aesthetic joy.
The Eagle Regiment has established a tradition of excellence. We want to continue the upward trend in
quality and size that the Stoneman Douglas Band is experiencing…that’s where YOU come in. I would
like to invite you to become a member of the Stoneman Douglas Band next year. It’s an exciting time
for our band program and we want YOU to be a part of it! Here are some important upcoming events
to mark on your calendar:
Mon, April 25 (6:00 - 7:30 pm) - Ice Breaker (Orientation meeting for all NEW 2016-17 members & parents.)
Mon, May 16 and Tue, May 31 (5:00 - 7:00 pm) - Marching Basics 101 (Required for all NEW 2016-17 members)
Mon - Thur, June 13 - 16 (8:00 am - 3:00 pm) - Band Camp #1 (Required for all 2016-17 members)
Mon - Fri, August 8 - 12 (8:00 am - 5:00 pm) - Band Camp #2 (Required for all 2016-17 members)
If you have any questions not addressed above or on the pages below, please feel free to email me at
[email protected].
I welcome you to one of the top band programs in Florida and look forward to meeting all of you soon!
Musically,
Alexander Kaminsky
Director of Bands
Eagle Regiment • Wind Symphony • Symphonic Band • Concert Band • Jazz Band • Color Guard
Important information for all incoming band students
1) All band students should check BAND 1 on the registration form. Be sure to check your instrument
group: _______Band 1 (Woodwinds) # 1302300A _______Band 1 (Brass) # 1302300B _______Percussion 1 # 13024200 (# Satisfies art grad. requirement)
2) The first required event for all incoming freshmen and their parents is the Ice Breaker on Monday,
April 25th from 6:00 – 7:30 PM. Visit www.msdmarchingband.com for details.
3) Participation in the Eagle Regiment Marching Band fulfills the Fine Arts credit required for graduation
AND you receive a P.E. waiver. By taking band as your elective, you will earn two graduation credit
requirements.
Note: For band students electing to take two band courses (Jazz Band) with no room in their schedule
for HOPE, it is acceptable to take the Hope online class to fulfill this requirement. The flyers for online
classes through Florida Virtual School can be obtained from Main Guidance and the 9th Grade Center.
4) Entry into the band program must be in 9th grade. If you’re interested in more electives than you can
fit in 9th grade, you can add those after your freshman year, but you can only enter band in 9th grade.
Frequently Asked Questions about being in the Douglas Band
1. “Band takes too much time. Will I have time to study?”
Nearly 200 students prove that time is available. Many students in band are at the top of their class, in
honor society, etc. Band members learn to manage their time. The marching band typically rehearses
only 2 days a week during the first 12 weeks of school. You will get your homework done if you manage
your time appropriately!
2. “With so many required subjects, will I be able to fit band into my schedule?”
Participation in one year of band fulfills the one-year Fine Arts credit required for graduation. Stoneman
Douglas HS is on a 7-period day which allows students to fit in the most class choices. Some subjects can
be taken during your junior or senior year when less is required and there is even more room in your
schedule. Additionally, through participation in band, you also earn a P.E. waiver which opens up yet
another class slot - yes, one band credit earns you two graduation credit requirements. Since you have
to take a Fine Arts course anyway, it might as well be band!
3. “Can I be in sports and band?”
Yes. Sometimes we have to work out schedules, but it can be done. Band students are given a calendar
of events for the entire year to know ahead of time when activities are planned. If you plan to participate
in a sport, we encourage you to avoid one that takes place during the first 12 weeks of school, which is
the approximate length of the marching season.
4. “I’m in middle school and have never marched before. Will I be able to do it?”
There are many past 8th graders in the Stoneman Douglas Eagle Regiment right now who asked themselves
the same question, but tried it and were glad they did. In addition to two Marching Basics 101 sessions,
there are two required MSD marching band camps: one takes place the week after school ends, and the
other takes place 2 weeks before school begins. During those sessions and camps, we will teach you
marching and advanced playing fundamentals as you learn music for the fall, get issued a uniform, and
basically get trained for high school band. If you have a positive attitude and are willing to learn, you
will do fine!
5. “I’m tired of band – should I quit?”
After all the years you have invested, you are now getting to the point where you are good enough to
really enjoy it. The Stoneman Douglas Band is one of the best in the state and is getting better and more
exciting every year. We need you to make it happen. Don’t drop out now when you’re on the threshold
of getting the most out of it and enjoying it to the fullest.
AT THE VERY LEAST, TRY BAND IN 9TH GRADE. YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU DID!
What Band has done for me . . .
“Band has given me an extra family and the ability to push myself to do my best.”
9th grade Clarinet player
“Band is much more than learning music; it’s learning to expand your mind.”
9th grade Tuba player
“Band adds balance to an academically loaded schedule and makes me a well-rounded person. It
provides me with music, friends, teamwork, and life-skills.”
11th grade French Horn player
“Just summer band camp alone taught me a great amount of self-discipline.”
9th grade Trumpet player
“Learning to be punctual in band has helped me be punctual in life.”
12th grade Clarinet player
“Band has taught me that to achieve excellence, I must always strive for perfection.”
10th grade Flute player
Stoneman Douglas Band
5901 Pine Island Road
Parkland, FL 33076
Phone: 754.322.2192
[email protected]
msdmarchingband.com
Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
INSTRUCTIONS
Record your audition onto an audio file in the order below using the script provided:
1. 12 Major Scales with arpeggios in the All-State pattern played in the circle of 4ths starting from G Concert
(G, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb (B), E, A, D). Tongue up and slur down as fast as you can play each one
without making mistakes. Scales should be played in 2 or 3 octaves when possible.
2. Chromatic Scale in even eighth notes. Tongue up and slur down as fast as you can play with no mistakes.
Flutes .............................. 3 octaves from C
Oboes.............................. 2 octaves from C
Bassoons ......................... 3 octaves from Bb
Clarinets ......................... 3 octaves from E
Bass Clarinets ................. 3 octaves from E
All Saxes ........................ 2 octaves from F
Trumpets ....................... 2 octaves from C
French Horns ................ 2 octaves from F
Trombones .................... 2 octaves from Bb
Euphoniums .................. 2 octaves from Bb
Tubas ............................ 2 octaves from Bb
Mallets .......................... 2 octaves from Bb
3. Rhythm lines counted verbally, then played on F Concert.
Use an audible metronome while
counting/playing. Go as fast as you can on each line, but be accurate and stay with the audible pulse.
SCRIPT FOR CD or MP3 AUDIO FILE
1. MAJOR SCALES & CHROMATIC SCALE (If you don’t know all 12 major scales, play as many as you know.)
PRESS RECORD BUTTON. THEN SAY: “My name is (your name) and I play the (your instrument). I
am currently a(n) (8th/9th/10th/11th) grader in the (name of band) at (your school). I will be playing the
requirements for the Stoneman Douglas (Symphonic Band/Wind Symphony).” PRESS PAUSE OR STOP.
WHEN YOU ARE READY, DEPRESS PAUSE AND SAY: “This is my G Concert Scale.” Play the scale.
PRESS PAUSE OR STOP. CONTINUE IN THIS MANNER UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE
SCALES. Playing all 12 major scales consecutively without stopping will increase your score.
BE SURE IT’S YOUR BEST ATTEMPT. IF NOT, REDO THE SCALE(S).
2. RHYTHM LINES (If you can’t count and play all of the Symphonic and/or Wind Symphony rhythm lines, do as many as you can.)
WHEN YOU ARE READY, DEPRESS PAUSE AND SAY: “This is rhythm line number 1.” COUNT,
THEN PLAY THE RHYTHM LINE. (Remember to keep an audible pulse with a metronome or tap.)
PRESS PAUSE OR STOP. CONTINUE IN THIS MANNER UNTIL YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE
RHYTHM LINES. The more rhythm lines you record, the better your chances for higher chair placement!
NOTE: You must complete the Symphonic Band Rhythm Sheet before attempting the Wind Symphony Rhythm Sheet. See next page
AUDITION RECORDINGS ARE DUE TO THE STONEMAN DOUGLAS HIGH SCHOOL BAND OFFICE
NO LATER THAN MONDAY, APRIL 25, 2016 (same day as 2016-17 Ice Breaker).
To submit your audition recording, you may:
1. Email your mp3 audio file to [email protected].
2. Drop off your recording at the MSD Main Office or the MSD Band Office in the Band Room.
3. Have your band director send your recording directly to Mr. Kaminsky.
Eagle Regiment • Wind Symphony • Symphonic Band • Concert Band • Jazz Band • Color Guard