CHS Steel Auditions
Auditions will be held on Wednesday, September 7th, 2022 from 2:45 - 4:45 after school in the Panyard, the steel drum rehearsal room in the basement hallway near the cafeteria. Audition callbacks will be held on Thursday, September 8th from 2:45 - 4:45 after school in the Panyard.
When students audition for the band, most have not played steel pan before! We are not looking for perfection.
Students who make the band demonstrate a strong knowledge of note reading in either treble or bass clef, take direction from directors and student leaders positively and make corrections when needed, and demonstrate that they are picking up the music and the instrument quickly. Students also show determination and perseverance in a fast-paced rehearsal environment. Our first performances are shortly after auditions, so learning music happens at a very quick pace right from the start.
Students must also be able to commit to attending rehearsals on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 2:45 - 4:45 after school throughout the school year.
Auditions for Drumset
Any student interested in joining the band will audition on pan. Students who have prior drumset experience may also wish to audition on drumset. Students will be asked to demonstrate steady beat through two different drum beats. The first drum beat is the Calypso drum beat seen here.
Students auditioning on drumset would also be asked to play any drum beat of their choosing. The audition is largely focused on students playing at a steady tempo for an extended period of time.
Resources for Students Interested in Auditioning
Students selected from the audition process must demonstrate the ability to read music on the staff. Students do NOT need to know how to read music with both clefs!
Here are some resources that could be helpful in preparing for the auditions.
CHS Steel "Learn to Play Pan" Summer Camp
Our "Learn to Play Pan" camp is tentatively scheduled for the week of July 17-21, 2023. The camp is for 7th, 8th, 9th, or 10th graders (as of the 2022-2023 school year) zoned for Catonsville High School. Check back for updates!
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