Placement Assessment

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Video Submissions

All campers, not just those auditioning for the advanced ensemble, are required to submit a playing video. These videos help us place everyone where they’ll be most successful and allow us to give helpful feedback ahead of camp. Videos are due by May 15th!

All campers will be notified of their ensemble placements and fife parts by June 1st, along with feedback on what to work on prior to camp.

 

2026 Assessment Selections

Fifers

  • Task:
    • All fifers: play and record “The Marlin Spike” AABB from anywhere between 60-104 beats per minute (BPM).
    • Advanced Ensemble Audition: play and record “Sailor’s Cornpipe” as written.
    • Novice fifers only: play and record any piece of music you are comfortable with.
  • Video Guidelines:
    • Do not use a metronome, practice recording, or any other accompaniment.
      Please make sure that your face and fingers are within the frame of the video.
    • This is not a memorization test! You may use sheet music.
  • Musical Tips: 
    • We are looking for correct notes and rhythms, steady beat, full tone, and technique.
      Please do not stress about the small details! I am interested in your general playing style, not an isolated mistake!
      Fifers are encouraged to take a look at the harmonies until parts come out on June 1st!

 All fife music can be found in the 2026 Fife Music page. 

 

Drummers

  • Task:
    • All drummers: play and record “Mason’s 2/4” and “Swells of Mink Island”
    • Advanced Ensemble Audition: To be considered for the Advanced Ensemble, you must submit a video. Please play and record the entirety of “The Last Grand Medley” (this year’s advanced medley).
    • Novice drummers only: play and record “Swells of Mink Island.”
  • Video Guidelines:
    • Arms and hands should be visible at all times in the video while playing.
  • Musical Tips:
    • We are looking for an understanding of the music. This includes rhythms, dynamics and sticking.

 All drummusic can be found in the 2026 Drum Music page. 

 

New This Year
If you submit a video audition for the Advanced Ensemble but are not initially placed, you may request a live re-audition with the music directors on Tuesday morning at camp.

A few important notes:

  • A video audition must be submitted to qualify for a live re-audition.
  • No new placements into the Advanced Ensemble will occur after Tuesday morning, allowing us to properly plan rehearsals for the rest of the week.

 

How to make your Placement Assessment Videos

  • ​Record your Placement Assessment Video however you would like, and then load your video to YouTube. 
  • Please do not use proprietary software and email your video to us. 
  • Send the link to your video to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Your YouTube video should not be set to "private."  If it is, we cannot view it.  If you do not want it to be public, please set it to "unlisted."
  • When you submit your Placement Assessment videos, please introduce yourself in your video.  For instance, you might say, “I am Scotty Greenstreet.  I am a snare drummer.”
  • You must play on your instrument.  If you are a drummer, you cannot use drum pads.  

 

Advanced Ensemble

If your child is a more mature person and a more experienced musician who would like an intense challenge at camp, we encourage you to review the Advanced Ensemble information to see if they might want to audition to be an Advanced Ensemble musician.