Rowdy Brass Band

Other details include:

• $1500-$2000 scholarship for each member - RBB (athletic band) scholarships can be combined with music major/minor (applied studio) scholarships, and the amount is dependent on membership experience/level and instrument needs. RBB scholarships replace other athletic band awards if applicable, and increases with subsequent years of participation and positive membership.  Contact Dr. Hinkle for more details. 
• Elite, one-on-a-part chamber ensemble modeled after groups like Disney’s “All-American Band"
• Members must fully commit and are treated as professional musicians, including the possibility of scholarships being reduced, or being 'cut' and/or replaced when not in attendance at all required events or meeting performance responsibilities.  As such, students who choose to maintain an extensive or non-flexible part-time job schedule may not be able to participate in the Rowdy Brass Band.
• All members must also participate in the Maverick Stampede (marching band) during the fall term.
• Instrumentation: Saxophones (alto, tenor, bari), Trumpets, Mellophones, Low Brass (trombone, baritone, sousaphone), Keyboard, Percussion.  Alternates for each instrument may also be chosen.  Exact instrumentation, including the possible inclusion of other electronic instruments (guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, etc.), are dependent on audition and personnel (new CMU students and non-music majors are encouraged to apply).
• A college credit course (MUSP 145B/245B/345B/445B; "chamber ensemble," students must register in the fall and spring terms)
• Rehearses weekly in fall & spring (Monday & Wednesdays, 2:00-2:50pm in MPAC 005/006)
• Performance venues: campus events, downtown businesses, special requests, recruitment visits, sporting events, special paid travel, etc.

Rowdy Brass Band - 2022-2023 Edition

Alternates: If you would like to be considered as a member or alternate member of the Rowdy Brass Band, please communicate with Dr. Hinkle ASAP. 

RBB auditions take place via YouTube link submissions that are due to Dr. Hinkle on or before May 1 each spring (or by specific appointment with Dr. Hinkle).  All potential members must audition or re-audition each May.  Current members are not guaranteed a future spot, and must play assigned parts of audition music (below) by memory.  Playing by memory is encouraged for potential future members, but not required.  Auditioned should choose a part that best fits their ability level and desired part placement. Incoming CMU students are encouraged to perform their RBB audition excerpts as part of their music major/minor/ensemble placement audition (during their audition day (link to music web audition page) or other date scheduled directly with appropriate applied professor), but may choose to submit their RBB audition as a separate video (below) if preferred.  Video production and quality does not need to be high level, however, any demonstration of music performed by memory (if applicable) must be obvious to viewer (ie. perform towards a wall or other).   Instrumentation in the RBB is not set from past ensembles (i.e. trumpets, saxophones, mellophones, trombones/baritones, sousaphone, keyboard, percussion), but rather dependent on the high musical standards and commitment of auditionees each year, including the use of new instruments in the future (i.e. bass guitar, guitar, keyboard, drum set, electric instruments, etc.).  Do you want to consider being in the RBB, but play a different instrument?  Communicate with Dr. Hinkle ASAP.

Sample Audition Videos - Matthew Bohling (mellophone) & Trystan Berg (percussion)

Audition Video Sections (Introduction and Music Performance):

1. Introduction - Start your video by introducing yourself; your name, where you are from, the high school you attend(ed), your desired instrument placement in RBB, and what degree you will be working towards at CMU.  Then, tell us something about yourself - a unique skill, why you want to be in the RBB, or something fun.  Speak loud, clearly, and with energy...as an RBB performer would on stage!
2. Music Performance -
   • Winds
     1. "Hot Time" - perform 1st 15 measures only with audible metronome ate 160BPM (half note), fast and light marching tempo with sharp articulations. 
     2. "Rowdy Takes the Stage" -Performing the “(Ffun)ky Groove” section at 108 BPM with audible metronome.  Review this recording ("Rowdy Takes the Stage" as performed by the 2021 Rowdy Brass Band) for reference.    
     3. "Hey Jude" - perform at 80BPM with audible metronome, beginning through mm.21, then skipping to mm.43 and performing through mm.79.  Please reference Maynard Ferguson’s recording here.
     4. Something else - You choose!  Ex: 1) Improvisation to a recorded background or 'jam' track, or 2) your favorite transcription of a solo by a professional artist, or 3) something you can do on your instrument that you think 'stands-out' or set you apart from other auditionees (i.e range or extended technique). 
   • Percussionists - Using only simple drum set, demonstrate the following beats/rhythms, while also trading phrases (2 or 4 bars) of "time" and "soloing" with yourself in each:
     
     1. 2 Beat "New Orleans Groove,” AKA a "2nd line" groove (think “Atchafalaya” (starting at ~9:47) or "When the Saints”)
     2. Medium rock
     3. 12/8 Rock/Funk
     4. 2 Beat Fast March to the "Hot Time” form
     5. Medium Latin (Bossa or Samba)
     6. A groove of your choice - perhaps what groove you are best at (can be similar or different to above)

Submit your Video (1 video only, ok to splice together sections if desired or send as one continuous video) to Dr. Hinkle ([email protected]) via a YouTube link (make sure it's working first) on or before May 1, 2022.  If you have questions, communicate with a current RBB member (preferred, see above) or directly with Dr. Hinkle if needed.