With a total of 54 potential members auditioning this past Sunday, we wrapped up our second and most highly-attended audition camp to date!
For those auditioning for battery, the day started off with a short run and bleacher work led by cymbal tech Travis Guinta in the Horizon High School football stadium, followed by an hour visual block led by Tanner Woodard. Meanwhile the front ensemble worked on their four mallet permutations and packet with Jon Mleynek and Dustin Roa in the band room. Following the visual block, Nathan Moses-Gonzales led the battery in their first ensemble run through of the packet. During this time, tenor tech John”Donny” Hopkins and bass techs Drew McCrea & Mike Rotenbury began taking notes on and working with their respective sections.
As we move into our fifth season, our objective is to promote a highly-focused, consistent vibe from the first audition all the way to Dayton. After camp ended, Nathan said, “I feel like we’re seeing the best that Arizona has to offer, and with potential members showing up to camp from as far away as El Paso, Texas, I believe that word is beginning to spread about the professionalism of this organization.”
Creative director Seth Woodard said, “I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of improvement we saw from those auditioning from the first audition to the wrap of today’s audition. This has been by far our strongest audition to date. The 2012 ensemble is already setting a new bar for Dark Sky.”
We will host callbacks on October 30th at Horizon High School from 9:30am to 5:00pm. During this time, we will be taking one last look at all those who made call backs, and select the members for the 2012 edition of Dark Sky Percussion.
When asked what he was looking for from those who made call backs, Nathan said, “I’m looking for individuals who not only have their packet in their hands, but also have their heads in the game. Dayton is only a few months away, and we’re looking for that sense of focused urgency from every member, at every moment of every rehearsal. I’m looking for individuals who want it more than we [the staff] do, because we’re all in for this 2012 season.”
Our staff would like to thank Yamaha, Evans, Innovative Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, and especially Jason Harrison – Director of Bands at Horizon High School for their continued support.
For updates throughout the season, follow us on on Twitter [www.twitter.com/darkskyperc] and “like” us on Facebook [www.facebook.com/darkskypercussion]
October 30th marked our third and final audition camp of the new season. When the dust settled, it was clear we’d witnessed not only our best-attended auditions but also seen the strongest, most-prepared talent in our five years of existence!
