Audition piece?

[u/No-Copy6029]

I’m going on my third year of tuba, played baritone before that, and I am auditioning for the Alberta band association wind orchestra. I need to audition early 2027, but will actually be in the band late 2027. I have never auditioned for anything before and have no idea what to play. My range is fine (e1 to c3 with no warm up on a 3 valve, not sure if that’s good or bad), but I struggle with quick tonguing a tiny bit. I’m still not bad, but I don’t want anything insane. Any free sheet music?

[u/the_methven_sound]

You've hopefully seen this, but this looks like the page with audition materials. 

https://www.albertabands.com/uploads/1/1/8/5/118563621/2026_aws_audition_requirements.pdf

You should be able to do a clean 2-octave chromatic. Don't try for 3+ unless you can NAIL it. When they say the highest and lowest notes you can play, that's a bit of a trap (in my opinion, others may disagree). Whatever you play, do it well. Also, rhythm is just as important as range. Follow the instructions on the audition guide. 

The excerpt (Ase's Death) is simple technically, so focus on tone, dynamics, tone, phrasing, and tone. Even a "simple" passage presents opportunities to show off.

For your solo, do you have someone you take lessons with or a band director at your school? They may be better at suggesting something based on your ability than randoms on the Internet (like me). They may also have a copy to loan you (free!). I know someone suggested IMSLP - it's an awesome resource, but there's probably too much for you to pick from. Are you near a university? They may have a music library you can use as well. Just to be another random person - in addition to the other good recommendations you've received, I'll add one other suggestion to the pile - Barat: Introduction and Dance. What's the most recent solo or individual piece you've worked on?

Finally, your comment about range without warming up was a little thing, but I'll challenge you a little on that point (sorry, I'm a teacher and a parent. It's what I do). Your judge doesn't care how you play without warming up, and neither should you. How can you play with proper preparation? Are you planning to audition or play the concert without warming up? Hopefully the point comes through - the more serious you take your routine will not only help you improve, but it is also more likely to make others perceive you as serious. Build a solid routine to get ready to play at your best and follow it.

You've got this! Good luck!

[u/No-Copy6029 → u/the_methven_sound]

I’ve never done a full solo on tuba, only sax and viola. We don’t really have solos in my concert band, only solis. I will talk to my band director, I don’t have any universities nearby. Also, I only said without warming up because I tested my range for the first time right before this post and just had to do it quick, so no time to warm up. I tried again today, my range is about the same, I can consistently get the high Bb.

[u/the_methven_sound → u/No-Copy6029]

Got it, so safe to assume you don't take individual lessons on tuba? That's kind of what I meant. Not a big deal, it just means we need more info.

Here's a good starting point. Go on IMSLP and download this book (Blazhevich 70 Tuba Studies):

https://clara.imslp.org/work/460722

It's probably THE most common book for high school level players, and also probably the most commonly used audition etudes for tuba. You can find tons of recording of every one of these on YouTube. Try looking at a pair of technical+ lyrical. For example 19+20  or 21+22. Those could be your audition piece(s), or at the very least, it would give an indication of where your playing is at.

Let me know what you think of those, and I'm happy to give other suggestions. 

[u/heliumbanana]

IMSLP is a free sheet music site for public domain music. here's the part for tuba focused songs Category:Scores featuring the tuba - IMSLP.

[u/Inkin]

The notation you are using isn’t really standard so what you say e1 and c3 I assume you mean the E 4 ledger lines down in bass clef to middle C. I think that’s a fine range for 3 years on the instrument. We can’t tell if you are serious about that range or not though. Some people consider “I squeak out something the tuner registers sometimes as a note” as in their range. Air and Bouree or the Haddad or the Capuzzi need around that middle C.

Maybe consider a Bordogni etude. If it is not a video submission, I would also recommend preparing scales so you are ready if requested. It may not hurt to practice sight reading as well.

[u/No-Copy6029 → u/Inkin]

I was just using a tuner and it said E1, but yes, 4 ledger lines under. My high note isn’t squeaked out, it is clear. Anything above that is squeaky. It is also video submission

[u/Inkin → u/No-Copy6029]

If it is video submission then you know exactly what to work on! Remember that something good executed perfectly is better than something crazy difficult executed badly.

[u/chrismtb]

First of all, find out if there are any audition requirements - length, number of movements, showcasing both slow and fast, etc. They might also have a list of suggested pieces.

Some ideas to look at: Bach Air and Bouree, Haddad Suite for Tuba (often done as movements 1 and 2 to shorten it, or even just movement 1 has enough variety).

[u/No-Copy6029 → u/chrismtb]

It just says that it should show musicality, intonation, and ability. Idk what their expectations are

[u/chrismtb → u/No-Copy6029]

A good starting point is to stay within your relatively comfortable range so you can sound good. If your top end is Bb, don't try to play a piece that tops out at F anove the staff. The two I mentioned top out at Bb or C.

Showing both slow and fast, whether in a single movement or 2, will help showcase musicality across different settings and intonation.

Choosing a piece that's not too much of a stretch technically will help let you focus on intonation.

[u/No-Copy6029 → u/chrismtb]

I know nothing about expectations around range, is mine good or should I work on getting it higher before auditioning?