Azle High School Band

What is it like to play in a College Band?

It is so easy for the high school graduate to decide not to play in the college band. Common thoughts among high school seniors include: “I might not be good enough”, “They might not want me”, “It might take too much time away from my studies”, “It might be expensive”, and “I might not like it – it probably won’t be like my high school band”. However, those fears are unfounded. Here’s the truth.

College Marching Band

Most college bands would LOVE to have you in their marching bands. Usually the MAJORITY of the college marching band consists of non-music majors – students who just enjoy marching band, playing their instruments, and football games/trips. Most college marching bands take EVERY STUDENT, and auditions are simply for part placement and to give them a chance to meet you.

College marching band usually involves about six hours per week – total. Compare that to high school, which is 5 classes + up to 8 hours outside of school, for a total of 13 to 15 hours. Rehearsals are usually more relaxed than high school, because there are no contests, and college students learn their music and marching much, much faster than high school bands. Things move along quickly.

College Bowl Games are great! Band members are usually not required to participate, but everyone wants to. Again, free transportation, hotel and meals, with lots of free time to have fun mixed with the excitement of collegiate playoffs. Maybe you’ll see yourself on TV!

It gives you a chance to make new friends with people that you already have a lot in common. Band members get to move into the dorms a few days early, before the mad rush of the entire school. Most college bands have very few fees, involve NO FUND-RAISING, and when you travel, you take charter buses and your meals are paid. Some college bands award scholarships to non-music majors.

Getting in the marching band as a freshman gets your foot in the door to check-out the other musical groups: concert bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and basketball band. By being in marching band, the teachers get to know you, and then anything can happen.

College Concert Band

Most college bands would LOVE to have you in their concert bands. Some colleges have one or more concert bands for both semesters, and one or more concert bands in the spring only. Concert bands usually rehearse between 4 and 6 hours each week, usually with no section rehearsals. College concert bands usually learn their music quickly, and perform once every 4 weeks! There are usually no “tape-recorded assignments” or chair tests.

Many college concert bands take tours, perform at state and national conventions, and even travel abroad. Again, all trip costs are usually paid by the university.

College Basketball Band

This is something that is fun, usually involves many non-music majors, and often times you are paid to play! If you have a conflict with a game, you are allowed to send a substitute musician. Most college basketball bands supply uniforms, provide free food, and pay your way to all post-season tournaments!

A typical NCAA Basketball Band trip usually involves arriving a day early and sight-seeing, “all-night bowling”, then having free time the next day until a late afternoon or evening game. If the team wins, you may have another entire day off until the 2nd round game takes place. Recent TCU basketball trips (for men’s and ladies’ teams) have included Seattle, Cincinatti, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Hartford.

College Jazz Band

Most high schools are not able to offer a jazz band more than as a once-a-week after school activity. Most colleges have jazz ensembles that outplay nearly all high school jazz groups. College jazz bands usually rehearse about 3 hours each week, and perform on campus, in the community, and take trips – sometimes even to Europe. NO, you do NOT have to be an “improviser” to be in a college jazz ensemble.

Many colleges have two (or more) jazz ensembles, so that students who have NEVER EVEN PLAYED IN A JAZZ GROUP, can check it out at their own pace.

College Orchestra

Most colleges have an orchestra. Usually the brass, woodwind and percussion players are a select group. However, they are not always music majors. Check it out! Orchestras usually rehearse about 5 hours each week. They, too, give concerts and often go on tours and trips. This fall (2005) the TCU Orchestra is taking a trip to Brazil!

How do I prepare for playing in a college group?

1. Tell your director that you are interested. Your director will show you how to contact the universities and get on their mailing lists. Contact the schools in the early spring of your senior year. If you are interested in auditioning for scholarship, then contact the college no later than December of your senior year. Most auditions are held from January – March.

2. Practice and learn your 12 major scales. Sometimes colleges ask for you to play these when you audition.

3. Learn a solo or all-region etude, and play that on your college audition.

4. If you do not own your own instrument, ask the college if they can let you rent one from them. They usually have the same types of instruments that high schools supply. Otherwise, then look for an instrument to purchase for your own.
 

College performing groups can provide you with the highlight of your college years! It can also give you the opportunity to continue playing after college, in church orchestras, praise bands, community bands or even professionally. What you have learned is special, and it is a valuable gift! Continuing in music performance can be extremely personally rewarding.

Check it out!

I like band. Should I major in Music in College?

Perhaps! If you think that you would enjoy doing what your band directors do, then you should consider major in music. Being a band director can be extremely fulfilling. You get to work with the same students for several years in a row, and work with them on a closer basis that many classroom teachers get to do. You are with these students in rehearsal, on the field, at football games, contests, and trips. Band students are in band because they want to be, so the experience can be quite positive. You get to watch kids grow and mature as young people and as young musicians. Teaching band can help keep you young, as well.

Am I “good enough” to teach band?

There are four basic qualities that comprise band directors. Look at these categories and give yourself a letter grade in each (A, B, C, D, F)

1. How well you play your instrument?
2. How strong are your musical instincts (your ear, ability to sight-read, hearing rhythms)
3. How strong an academic student you are?
4. Do you have the kind of personality that could make you a successful teacher?
 

When most band directors were in high school themselves, they were pretty good at some of these categories, and not so good at others. Very few are outstanding at all four. If YOU are strong in some of these areas, and weaker in others, then you very likely could be successful in college music.

Here are a few other “sub-categories” that could help your college music preparation:

1. Basic piano: If you haven’t had piano lessons (or can’t remember anything of what you once had), then take a few piano lessons. Get familiar with the piano keyboard, and with both the treble and bass clef.

2. Basic music theory/ear training: While you don’t have to know any of this stuff before college, it really helps to have a basic understanding of scales, intervals and maybe a few chords before college.
 

Ask your band director about piano and theory. You may be able to take a music theory course at your high school. A friend could show you a little bit about piano. There are also several great software programs that teach music theory. (Alfred’s Music Theory, Musician, and Aurelia are a few.)

Am I good enough to become a professional player on my instrument?

The job market is much smaller for full-time professional musicians. Ask your director or private teacher what they think about your potential in this area. While you may not think that you are a “world class player” right now, remember that you have lots of time to develop and improve. Also keep in mind that there are many, many more opportunities to perform professionally on a part-time basis, while working at another job, such as music teacher, band director, working at a music store, private teacher, or at a “regular job” that is not related to music.

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