Audition Information

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The Wheaton Municipal Band is proud to announce the return of auditions for the 2022 summer season on Sunday, May 22 from 1-4 PM (winds only) and Sunday, May 29 from 1-6 PM (winds and percussion)!  Auditions will take place at City Hall (303 W. Wesley St.) in Wheaton, Illinois.  You can request an audition with this group by filling out the form below and requesting an audition time.

Auditions are based on 2 sight reading excerpts, with the short page of prepared music used to break ties in sight reading scores only. The prepared music is available on this website. The sight reading music is at an approximate grade level of 5 (1-6 scale). Musical parameters that are considered in the audition are tone quality, rhythmic accuracy, musicality, and technical facility. Musicians should be outstanding high school band students over the age of 15, college students, or adults. Auditions are "blind" (judges do not see the people who audition), and last approx. 5 minutes.  

Note for musicians who are auditioning for the WMB:  the WMB expects its members to sight read music of many different fonts and sizes at a very high level, and then perform the music the following day without taking the music home to practice.   To that end, members should be proficient at reading "march" size (about 5" deep by about 7" wide) music, and music that is printed by hand-written manuscript.   Musicians should expect to see some of this type of music at auditions.  

All those who audition on E-flat clarinet must also audition on B-flat clarinet, all those who audition on piccolo must also audition on flute, and all those who audition on English Horn must also audition on oboe.  Percussionists must audition on all 3 percussion parts -- snare, timpani and keyboard.  Those who think they will be able to play at least half of the season concerts may audition for a "regular" spot in the band. Others should request to audition for a substitute spot.

The Wheaton Municipal Band is a full symphonic concert band, composed of some of the finest band musicians in the metropolitan Chicago area.  The Wheaton Municipal Band plays a variety of music ranging from traditional marches to musicals and classics to challenging contemporary pieces.  The band is directed by Dr. Bruce Moss, Director of Bands at Bowling Green State University, who is in his 43rd year as the director of the band.  The band features prominent guest conductors and soloists during the season, interspersed with outstanding soloists from within the band. This mix of popular and classical music, with thrilling soloists, performed by a professional-quality ensemble, is designed to provide something enjoyable for everyone. 

The band rehearses on Wednesday nights in Memorial Park in Wheaton, IL from 7:30 – 10:15 PM and performs the following Thursday evening at 7:30 PM in Memorial Park.  Our first performance for the summer is on Thursday, June 9.  Concerts occur on a weekly basis.  For any more questions regarding the band, please visit the Wheaton Municipal Band website at the address listed above; or contact Garth Anderson, personnel manager at garthandersonwmb@gmail.com or Steve Klaus, general manager at sklaus00@comcast.net.  All dates, times, and details are subject to change if there is a change in the Illinois COVID protocols.