Levels and Audition Info

AUDITIONS WILL BE HELD IN SPRING SEMESTER!

• Dates, times, and locations, when known, will be announced in class by Mr. Bowman for current students.
• Students new to the school and/or Mr. Bowman: please contact Mr. Bowman at rbowman@sjusd.org to schedule an audition. 

Beginning Band

No audition requirement and no experience necessary! Any and all are welcome in the beginning band class, where we provide the instruments FREE of charge, teach and review note reading, and teach all the basic techniques and musicianship of the woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument the student chooses. Free and equal access for all!

Concert Band

Concert Band is an audition class and is generally the best place for students who have played a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument for at least one year, but more often two or three. We work as an ensemble, learning scales, intonation, rhythmic interpretation and other concepts appropriate to this level. We also perform several times throughout the course of the year.

Audition requirements: Concert B♭, E♭ and F major scales, a solo piece demonstrating your technical ability, and some basic sight-reading

Symphonic Band

The Symphonic Band is an audition class during 00 period, primarily for students who have been playing a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument for three or more years. It is a large ensemble experience that has an extensive concert season. Besides the school performances, Symphonic band normally travels to southern California for recording sessions and performances at Disneyland, as well as clinics at a Cal State University. Symphonic band will also sometimes play in local festivals.

Audition Requirements:​ All 12 major scales (preferably from memory), a solo piece demonstrating their ability level, and sight-reading

Note: If you’re not quite there, but this is what you want to do, give it a try! We can discuss anything necessary to get you where you need to be, by the time school starts!

Another Note: As of 2023, Symphonic Band has transitioned to a Band Club. The content and instruction will be as before, with student participation and attendance documented/tracked - the only difference is that the class will not be reflected on a student's schedule or transcripts.

Jazz Labs

Jazz Labs are audition classes. They are ensembles intended for more advanced students who wish to continue improving on their instrument, while learning new genres/styles of music. Most students are also enrolled in Symphonic Band, as the concepts taught in these courses are different but still necessary. Symphonic Band is not a requirement, but it will be assumed those concepts are being learned and mastered at home/through lessons.

Audition Requirements: All 12 Major Scales (preferably from memory), a solo piece demonstrating your ability, and sight-reading

Note: See Symphonic Band Note!

Jazz Band

Jazz Band is an ensemble for the top musicians at Castillero Middle School and is by invite and audition. This course is for students that want more - more opportunities to perform music and learn and study advanced literature (often at the high school or even collegiate level), more opportunities to represent Castillero in our community, and, of course, MORE opportunities to wear those breathtaking, super-cool, ⭐white jackets⭐!!

Audition Requirements: All 12 Major Scales from memory, a piece demonstrating advanced technical ability (preferably in a jazz style), and sight-reading