Modern Band Festival
Joe Mundy, modern band chairperson
October 16, 2024
Sheraton Nashua Hotel and Conference Center
Audition Fee: $25.00
Registration Fee: $50 (accepted students only)
Director Endorsement Form: Your sponsoring director must complete the online endorsement form by July 1, 2024 to confirm your intent to audition.
Student Audition Video Submission Deadline: Auditions must be submitted by the end of the night on Sunday September 15, 2024. Auditions will not be accepted after that date.
Student Eligibility: NH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GRADES 10-12
1. You must be a member in good standing of your school’s performing group, if one exists.
2. Homeschooled students must follow the NHMEA policy regarding Home Education
Students in NHMEA Festivals. Please contact the auditions chairperson with any questions.
3. Your school district must pay the NHMEA School Participation Fee by October 1, 2024.
4. All audition fees must be paid by October 1, 2024. Students with unpaid audition fees will not be allowed to audition.
5. If auditioning and/or selected as an All-State participant, your school music teacher must accompany you to the October Music Festival as your chaperone.
6. If selected as an All-State participant, the director and student will abide by all participation guidelines and policies while at the festival.
Student Audition Instructions:
All student applications must be completed using the 2024 ‘NHMEA All State Modern Ensemble Application’ link on the NHMEA website. If a student is auditioning on more than one instrument, the student must submit a SEPARATE application and fee for each instrument. The instructions for submitting audition materials will be available on the NHMEA website. *PLEASE NOTE, Directors also need to submit the ‘Director Endorsement Form’ as part of the audition registration.*
1. Submissions must contain a recorded video audition with a clock with a moving second hand or running stopwatch visible.
2. The students auditioning must be visible in the video (including hands and faces). It is recommended students and directors preview all videos before submission to ensure students are visible and audio quality is acceptable.
3. No identifying clothing may be worn (i.e. no school t-shirts, no town names, no student name identification).
4. No pitch/timing alterations of the recording or performance are permitted.
Due to the nature of the ensemble, all students are required to demonstrate facility on more than one style. These styles can include Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, R&B, Country, Metal, or other genres.
While singing is not mandatory for instrument auditionees, preparation of a short excerpt demonstrating singing ability can help show the versatility and talent of that instrumentalist.
Vocals/Rap
2 prepared songs of contrasting style performed with instrument track or live ensemble (no-sing-alongs or a capella):
● One piece should demonstrate background vocals or ability to sing harmonies
● One piece should include improvisation (melodic and/or lyrical). Some ideas for
soloists to emulate: Aretha Franklin, Freddie Mercury, James Brown, Esperanza Spalding, Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton
● One piece can be original, at least one must be a cover
● Rapping highly encouraged, either as a cover or original
Guitar
2 prepared songs of contrasting style:
● Should demonstrate diversity of both rhythmic and melodic playing
● One piece must include a lead guitar solo. Some ideas of soloists to emulate are: Jimi
Hendrix, Annie Clark, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, David Gilmour, Nancy Wilson,
Stevie Ray Vaughn, Prince, etc.
● Pieces should demonstrate a variety of chordal usage: open chords, barre chords, power chords, triads, etc.
Bass
4 prepared bass grooves:
● Should demonstrate a variety of styles that show versatility and ability to play in thevpocket.
● Some ideas for bassists to emulate for cover grooves: James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, Flea,Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, Gail Ann Dorsey, etc.
● One can be composed, three must be covers
Drums
2 prepared pieces and 2-4 additional grooves:
● Should demonstrate a variety of groove styles: aka Rock, Hip Hop, Latin, etc.
● Must demonstrate ability to play along with recording to demonstrate ability to switch
between drum grooves in sections of the song
● Additional grooves should be recorded with a drumless jam track or a metronome
Keyboard
2 prepared songs of contrasting style:
● Should demonstrate diversity in both rhythmic and melodic playing
● One piece must include an improvised keyboard solo. Some ideas of soloists to
emulate: Keith Emmerson, Fiona Apple, Ray Manzarek, Stevie Wonder, etc.
Other Instruments (electronics, ukulele, brass, strings, winds, etc.)
2 prepared pieces:
● Should demonstrate style and versatility as lead or accompanist
● Should include improvisatory section
● Highly recommended for brass, strings and winds: an original, simple arrangement of you playing background notes over a chord progression. This can be recorded multi-track or with live section players
2024 NHMEA Honors Modern Band Ensemble Schedule:
End of SY23-24 – Submit director endorsement form
Summer 2024 – Students prepare audition materials
September 15, 2024 – Audition Submission Deadline
September 16-October 16 – Ensemble Meetings with Director via Zoom, dates and evening times TBD
October 16 – Rehearsals at NHMEA October Music Festival, ~9am-6pm, TBD
October 16 – Modern Ensemble Performance at NHMEA October Music Festival, TBD
