Heartland Musicians Abroad 2026 – Placement Audition Instructions
I hope you’ve had a wonderful fall semester making music in your local school program. As your Ozark Musicians Abroad leadership team, we never really stop planning for the meaningful musical and cultural experiences that lie ahead. We are excited about what’s in store for you this summer, and we need your help with the next important step in the process.
To make appropriate part assignments, select repertoire, and consider potential soloists for the Concert Band and String Chamber Orchestra, I am requesting a recording from each instrumentalist. Please submit one single MP3 recording no later than March 7, 2026. Earlier submissions are always appreciated and encouraged.
A recording made using the Voice Memo app on your phone is perfectly acceptable and often works very well.
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Woodwind and Brass Players
- At the beginning of your recording, clearly announce your name.
- Perform two one-minute excerpts:
- One lyrical selection
- One technical selection
- Follow these excerpts with a two-octave chromatic scale, ascending and descending.
- Compile all segments into ONE single MP3 file (do not send multiple recordings).
- File name format:
Instrument Firstname Lastname
(Example: Trumpet Maynard Ferguson)
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Percussion Players
- At the beginning of your recording, clearly announce your name.
- Perform two one-minute excerpts:
- One snare drum excerpt
- One mallet excerpt
- If you are more comfortable on one instrument family, you may submit two excerpts on the same instrument.
- Compile all segments into ONE single MP3 file (do not send multiple recordings).
- File name format:
Instrument Firstname Lastname
(Example: Percussion Evelyn Glennie)
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Submission Information
Please email your completed MP3 recording to:
If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m happy to help guide you through the process.
Thank you in advance for your preparation and professionalism. I’m looking forward to hearing your recordings and continuing our work together as we prepare for an incredible summer of music and travel.
Sincerely,
Dr. Frank Tracz
Heartland Musicians Abroad
State Coordinator
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Important Upcoming Calendar Events:
All Travelers Zoom Meeting: February 22, 2026
Heartland Musicians Abroad Day: May 2, 2026
Rehearsal Camp: June 14-16, 2026
Bon Voyage Concert: June 16, 2026
European Tour: June 17-30, 2026
Optional Paris Extension: June 30-July 2, 2026
Note: All events prior to departure for our European Tour will be hosted at facilities on the campus of Kansas State University and in the Tracz Family Band Hall!
String Musicians,
We are so excited to begin preparing the music that we will be performing in Europe in just a few short months!
Below you will find what to prepare for your recorded audition. The string staff will use your audition video to determine your initial section placement (violins) and seating. I am a HUGE believer in rotational seating and this also applies to section rotation for violins as well. Enter the process of preparing and recording this audition as a way to showcase the highest levels of your performance skills and where you are in your development as a musician and a leader. We will be representing our state and our country during this trip – and our level of expectation for the String Chamber Ensemble is exceptional in every way!
ACCESS excerpts on the Protected Page – password: heartlandma26#
You will be preparing two types of items for your String Chamber Ensemble audition.
1. Scales – 1 Major and 1 Melodic Minor
a. Each musician will perform one major and one melodic minor scale from the list below. Please select the number of octaves that best demonstrates your current abilities and showcases the highest level of skills you currently have on your instrument. Select from the lists below. You may choose to do both of your scales as 2-octaves, one as 2-octaves and one as 3-octaves, or both as 3-octaves. Basses, if you have 3-octave scales – by all means, please perform them!
Perform each pitch as separate quarter notes at a MINIMUM of 92 bpm.
2-octave scale options
• Violin: C, G, D, A major; G, D melodic minor
• Viola/Cello: F, C, G, D major; C, E, G melodic minor
• Bass: E, G, F major; E, G melodic minor
3-octave scale options
• Violin: C, G, D, A major; G, A, B melodic minor
• Viola/Cello: F, C, G, D major; C, D, E melodic minor
• Bass (2-octave): E, A, F, G major; E, F#, A melodic minor
2. Three excerpts from a variety of the repertoire that the string staff is considering for our performance programs. These works represent the highest levels of repertoire we are considering. Excerpts have been taken from the following pieces (audio links included):
a. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Novelletten for Strings, Op. 52, No. 4
b. Dwight Beckham: Elegy
c. Copland: Hoe Down
Violin
All violins will audition on the Violin 1 excerpts to determine section and rotation within the ensemble.
1. Selected Major Scale
2. Selected Melodic Minor Scale
3. Excerpt 1 (Coleridge-Taylor): beg- downbeat of meas. 17 (reh A)
4. Excerpt 2 (Beckham): pickup to meas. 7-22
5. Excerpt 3 (Copland): reh 16-end
Cello
1. Selected Major Scale
2. Selected Melodic Minor Scale
3. Excerpt 1 (Coleridge-Taylor): beg- downbeat of meas. 17 (reh A)
4. Excerpt 2 (Beckham): beg-meas. 22
5. Excerpt 3 (Copland): 4 meas. before reh 16-end
Double Bass
1. Selected Major Scale
2. Selected Melodic Minor Scale
3. Excerpt 1 (Coleridge-Taylor): beg- downbeat of meas. 17 (reh A)
4. Excerpt 2 (Beckham): beg-meas. 22
5. Excerpt 3 (Copland): 4 meas. before reh 11-downbeat of 4 before reh 18
TEMPOS
1. Coleridge-Taylor: quarter = 120-132
2. Beckham: quarter = 54
3. Copland: quarter = 106-112
NOTES
1. You may choose if you want to submit an unedited single video including all excerpts or if you want to create a separate recording for each excerpt. Either way, you are responsible for submitting your complete audition.
2. You may submit/share your link a few ways.
• Share a link to an online storage folder (Google Drive, Dropbox, Sharepoint, etc.). Make sure that all permissions are open for viewing. This option allows you to place multiple video files in one folder and we can access each file.
• Upload your video to YouTube and share the UNLISTED YouTube video link in the assignment. You might need to save as a playlist if you have multiple videos and share the playlist link.
3. Make sure to note the specific excerpts outlined above very carefully. When recording, take a small pause between each excerpt. If there are measure rests within an excerpt, also take a small pause (you do not need to count out the measures).
4. When recording your video, please follow these guidelines:
• Arrange your camera so your upper body, both the left and right hand, and entire instrument (or as much as possible) is in the frame.
• Introduce yourself at the beginning of your audition – state your name and your instrument.
• Before each excerpt, state the title of the piece, the composer, and the measures you will play.
SUBMIT YOUR AUDITION USING THIS FORM: https://forms.gle/8kzTYUzUB418FnDh9
Thank you for your preparation and work. If you have any questions about the music and/or audition, please reach out. williamsblaira@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Dr. Blair Williams, 2026 Heartland Musicians Abroad String Chamber Orchestra Conductor
