Auditions

Joining the 234th Army Band or any Army band requires passing an audition, known as the Army Musician Proficiency Assessment (AMPA).  This page gives an overview of the audition. We strongly encourage visiting us at a rehearsal or performance to learn more about us before beginning the audition process. Please contact SSG Duane Reno at duane.a.reno.mil@army.mil or 971-355-1927 for full details and scheduling.

Instruments

Brass: Trumpet, Euphonium, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba 

Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone 

Rhythm: Percussion (drum set/mallets/auxiliary), Keyboard, Guitar, Electric Bass

Other: Voice, Audio Engineer

Prepared Music

The first half of the audition is Prepared Music. Wind instruments require at least 3 selections of contrasting styles/genres, not to exceed 5 minutes. This can include, but is not limited to: solo/concerto repertoire, orchestral/band excerpts, jazz/funk charts, chamber music, or anything else which demonstrates your abilities.  You should play the most difficult music that you can play well to achieve the highest score. If you aren’t sure what to prepare, we can help with suggestions. 

Rhythm instruments have slightly different requirements. Percussion requires at least 4 selections performed on a drum set with backing tracks. Keyboard requires at least 4 pieces: 1 or more on solo piano and at least 2 with backing tracks, preferably demonstrating non-piano sounds (organ, clav, synth, etc.). Guitar and bass requires at least 4 pieces with backing tracks. Vocal requires 3 to 6 selections with a microphone, sound system, and backing tracks. All rhythm section auditions require commercial music (Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues, Latin, etc.) as a selection.

Quickly Prepared

The second half of the audition is Quickly Prepared music. You will receive a packet of music to learn 24 hours before your audition time. Once you receive the music, you have until your audition time to prepare it. Read, listen to, and practice or whatever methods work best for you. This section is intended to more closely simulate a real-world scenario. 

Wind instruments have 6 excerpts, which vary by instrument but may include: concert band, chamber ensemble, simple meter march, compound meter march, swing, and commercial.   

Percussion has 8 selections, 2 drum set charts, 2 concert snare excerpts, 2 marching snare excerpts, and 2 mallet passages.  Keyboard, guitar, and bass have 5 selections, 3 with backing tracks, 2 without. Vocal has 4 karaoke-style pieces and 1 a cappella.   

We can provide a suggested reading list or some examples if needed to give an idea of what to expect. Contact SFC Yost to get all the instrument-specific information you need.

The Rubric

The audition is graded using a rubric with 6 categories scored from 0-6 points, which add up to a total score with a maximum value of 36. The categories and performance criteria vary depending on the instrument. A score of at least 18 overall points is required to pass the audition to enter the band, except for oboe, bassoon, and voice which require a 24. Please contact SGT Ryan Dupuis to get the grading rubric for your specific instrument.

Results

Your audition will be recorded and sent to the United States Army School of Music to be graded. Your score and feedback will be given to you when they are finished. If you do not pass your audition, you can work on the feedback that you receive and try again. There is no limit to the number of times that you may audition.