National Honor Band and Choir 2027 International Tour

Welcome to the audition platform for the 2027 Musicians Abroad National Honor Band and Choir.

This tour is being put together in collaboration with Music for All and will occur from July 9 - 23, 2027. Complete information can be found here. 

• You will need to create a free Submittable account or sign in with Google or Facebook credentials to submit to these forms. 
• At the bottom of the Audition Video Recommendations and Requirements you will see a button that says “Submit”
• You can save a draft of your work if you would like to finish filling out the form at a later date.
• If anything changes with the information you submitted, please request to edit the submission.
• Submittable works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Internet Explorer is not supported. Please make sure you are using a supported browser.
• There is a $45 fee to submit an application. In return you will receive written input from one of our staff members. If you are accepted as part of one of our ensembles, that fee will be applied to the cost of your trip. Payment is handled within Submittable after you complete the application/audition. 
• We will follow-up with you about your submission by email. Please be sure to safelist notification emails from Submittable and check the email you used to sign up for your Submittable Account regularly.

Technical Questions?

Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support.

Questions about the Tour? Contact support@musiciansabroad.com

Audition Video Recommendations and Requirements

· At the start of the video, please state your name, the school you’re attending, and the city and state where you live.

· Since this is the only chance for the student to be heard, the quality of the recording should be of utmost consideration. The quality of your recording will affect the evaluators’ ability to review and comment. A high-quality audio and video recording is expected.

· Your audition should be prepared like any professional or university audition.

· Consider lighting, framing, and camera placement. Film in a well-lit space, and be sure that there is more lighting in front of you (rather than from behind).

· Stay away from clutter, use a simple background. No food, laundry, music, instrument cases, or other distractions should be in the shot.

· We recommend using a tripod, stand, or placing the camera on a flat surface while shooting.

· Place the camera so that you, your instrument or body, and your full range of motion are always in the frame. When using music, be sure the music stand does not block your face, hands, or instrument.

· Choose a medium distance that shows as much detail as possible, while still allowing the image to be framed as described above. Do not use the zoom function as this makes the image grainy or fuzzy.

· Try to avoid using “selfie” mode on your devices as it does not allow for a wide enough camera angle.

· Be aware of the acoustic environment in which you record, playing or singing clearly and without distortion. Background noise (television noise, other people practicing, dancing, cooking, etc.) and poor sound quality make your recording difficult to evaluate. Do not use any reverb or sound enhancement.

· If you are recording from your phone or tablet, it should be set horizontally. Be sure to set it in Airplane Mode or Do Not Disturb mode to avoid interruptions.

· Review your recording(s) before you submit and check the sound level to ensure the best audio quality.

· Only unedited recordings can be accepted and should be in high-fidelity stereo. Other than stopping and starting the camera between segments, no editing of the audio/video is permitted. Applicants whose videos show evidence of any cuts, splicing, manipulation of pitch, or other alteration within a performance segment will be subject to disqualification.

WINDS VIDEO AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

· Two (2) two-octave major scales of your choice

· Play each scale twice, once at a slow tempo with legato articulation and once at a faster tempo with lightly tongued articulation.

· One two-octave chromatic scale – starting pitch of your choice

· Play 8th notes at a minimum tempo of quarter = 120 with lightly tongued articulation.

· Two contrasting (in style and tempo) excerpts of your own choosing, each approximately two minutes in length.

· Students are encouraged to perform an excerpt that showcases technique and range, as well as an excerpt that showcases expressive and lyrical qualities.

· Students seeking to play 1st Parts must demonstrate a command of the upper range on their instrument during one of the excerpts.

· Videos should not exceed 15 minutes total.

PERCUSSION VIDEO AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

· Percussion applicants must perform BOTH an open and buzz (or closed) roll on snare drum (tempo of your choice), along with two (2) two-octave scales of your choice on Marimba.

· Percussion applicants must submit a separate and representative solo on snare drum, marimba, and timpani. Please verbally list the titles of these solos at the beginning of each of your recordings.

· Videos should not exceed 20 minutes total.

CHOIR VIDEO AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

· One diatonic (major) scale ascending and descending on “ah”. Begin on a lower note and ascend one octave.

· An 8-step chromatic scale sung on “ah” in half steps ascending; pause for a breath and in half steps, descending.

· Students should prepare and sing a standard piece of their choice: an art song, aria, or folk song. You may sing this accompanied or unaccompanied. Some examples include repertoire that may be sung for solo and ensemble festivals.

· Videos should not exceed 10 minutes total.