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ELIGIBILITY

The Battalion strives to provide a world-class experience to its members. As such, our program is geared towards those students who have demonstrated significant proficiency as a musician and performer. Any member of The Battalion family should also have great moral character and maturity, incredible work ethic, excellent time-management skills, and the drive to succeed at the highest levels of this activity. 

 

Although there is currently no age limit to participate in an independent WGI Winds ensemble, we recommend that interested students have participated in at least one year of marching band before attending one of our Winds Audition Events. Students under the age of 18 who wish to audition must have permission from their parent/guardian to attend. Per guidance from WGI (our governing body), high school students must also have permission from their high school band director before receiving a contract to perform with our ensemble.

 

For current high school students, your membership in The Battalion is conditional upon your participation in your high school music program. Students who discontinue their involvement in their high school music program will not be allowed to continue participating with our organization. We support music education wherever it is happening, but especially in the school system. This is meant to be a supplemental performance outlet for you, not a replacement for your school program.

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AUDITIONS

 

At our BEX audition events you will have an opportunity to learn from our staff in both sectional and full ensemble rehearsals. You will also have the opportunity for an individual audition with one or more of our instructors. During your individual audition, you will be expected to perform selections from the audition packet and a provide a short demonstration of your skills. You will also be evaluated by our visual staff in a group setting. The ability to move and play at the same time is crucial, so you will also be expected to demonstrate

those skills at some point during the audition event. Further details will be provided at a later date. Please wear comfortable athletic clothing and non-scuffing athletic shoes with good arch support. 

 

Membership in our ensemble is open to the following instrumentation:

• Flute 

• Clarinet

• Alto/Tenor/Bari Saxophone 

• Trumpet 

• Mellophone/Horn

• Baritone/Trombone/Euphonium 

• Tuba

 

The Battalion will have some brass instruments available at our audition events but students should bring their own marching horn whenever possible. Brass players should also bring clean gloves if you are planning on using one of our instruments. Woodwinds players should bring their own instruments.

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Auditions will take place in the Salt Lake City area on two Saturdays this fall:

• BEX: Winds Audition Event #1 - November 10, 2018 - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

• BEX: Winds Audition Event #2 - December 1, 2018 - 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

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The audition fee is $50, which guarantees you admission to both audition events. If you have a schedule conflict with either date please let us know as soon as possible. We highly recommend attending both clinics to allow our staff the opportunity to work with you as much as possible to determine your potential for membership in the ensemble.

 

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REHEARSALS

After the conclusion of the audition events, rehearsals will take place on most Saturdays from January to April with the exception of a few weekends and holidays. The first few rehearsals will be longer camps where performers will learn the music and choreography to our competitive show, after which the majority of the rehearsals will take place from 9AM to 6 PM on Saturdays in the Salt Lake City area. The full rehearsal schedule will be available soon.

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Attendance at rehearsal is mandatory. If you have a conflict with these dates please let the staff know immediately.

• Rehearsal Camp #1 - December 8, 2018 - 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

• Rehearsal Camp #2 - January 11, 2019 - 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm,  January 12, 2019 - 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

• Rehearsal Camp #3 - January 25, 2019 - 6:00 pm- 10:00 pm, January 26, 2019 - 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

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COST

There is a one-time $50 Audition Fee which includes the audition packet, a personal evaluation from our staff, and admission to both of our audition events.

Tuition for the 2019 season will be $750. More information will be provided in the member handbook and contract.

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Have any other questions? You can email us at winds@battalioncorps.org