Wind Ensemble Assessments Spring 2026

[Jennifer Olis]

Hello CPB Family and Happy New Year!

Wishing you all the best as we enter 2026 and I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season!

We will be opening assessments for Wind Ensemble for this Spring. If you are already in the Wind Ensemble, you do not need to do anything at this time. We have some Wind Ensemble members who are unable to play with us this concert cycle and some sections we would like to increase participation if possible.

• Open WE Spots:

• 1 Flute/Piccolo

• 2 Trombones

• 3-4 Percussion

• Sections that could use more players per ADs: Horns, Clarinets, possibly Saxes

• All instruments may submit an assessment for Spring regardless of noted availability above. Please understand that we may not be able to take additional players in every section at this time, but would generate a wait list in case others are unable to play this spring that we do not already know about.

Please see below for details and send any questions to artistic...@columbuspridebands.org or assoc...@columbuspridebands.org.

🎵 Assessment music

Instructions and music can be found in the attached document, and excerpts are also linked directly here. NOTE: You will notice the information/excerpts are the same as Fall 2025 and still have the old dates on them. That is ok! We are using the same instructions/excerpts/etc. for the Spring 2026 Assessment.

A few notes about recording your assessment:

• Create 2 separate recordings:

• Scale

• Excerpt
  
  

• No talking – Please do not identify yourself during your recording. See the Blind assessments section for more details on why.
  
  

• Recording equipment – No special recording equipment is needed for this process. The majority of you have cell phones, and recordings via those devices should be plenty sufficient for this purpose.  Common options without requiring you to download an app or additional software are:

• IOS: Voice Memos app

• Android: Voice Recorder/Sound Recorder app

• Either: Record a video with camera facing stand or covered so you are not visible

📥 Assessment submission

Submit your recordings via the Wind Ensemble Assessment form on or before Friday, January 16. A couple of notes:

• No changes after submission – In order to support evaluating recordings on a rolling basis, you will not be able to directly edit your submission once you have sent it. If you need to make a change, please reach out to vicepr...@columbuspridebands.org and we will update your information for you.
  
  

• File names – No particular file names are required. The form will make it clear which file is for which part of the assessment and any personally-identifying part of a file name will be changed prior to it being sent to an assessor.
  
  

• Feedback interest – The form will collect your interest in being sent your assessment feedback if you are not offered a position in the Wind Ensemble. This will be sent directly to you at the email address collected with your submission.
  
  

• Percussion Practice/Recording Opportunities: Percussionists can practice/record during jazz rehearsals on Jan 8 and 15 from 7-9pm and also during the board retreat on Jan 10 from 10am-2pm.

👤 Blind assessments

In pursuit of fairness and equal opportunity, all assessment submissions will be fully anonymized before being brought into the evaluation process. 

🪑 Single ensemble placement

For each season, band members will be able to be part of either the Wind Ensemble or the Concert Band, but not both. Based only on ensemble instrumentation need and capacity, a few members may be invited to participate in both, but this will be the exception and by invitation only. 

Additionally, those who submit assessments will be asked to agree to the following statement: “I acknowledge that by submitting this assessment, I am agreeing that if offered this position, I am committed to practicing, attending rehearsals, and performing with the Wind Ensemble”. Essentially, we are asking individuals to make their own ensemble preference decisions before the assessment process, not after.

We know this may impact decisions for some of you about whether to submit an assessment for the Wind Ensemble. If you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

🎺 Ensemble placement communication

The roster for each ensemble will be communicated to the whole band via email on or before January 19. Once communicated, we will continue to track those placements via spreadsheet to account for any last minute changes that occur.

 Columbus Pride Bands Wind Ensemble Assessment Fall 2025

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Jennifer Olis | (she/her/hers) Associate Director Columbus Pride Bands assoc...@columbuspridebands.org ColumbusPrideBands.org

[Jennifer Olis]

Good Morning, CPB!

I hope this email finds you well on this cold, Sunday morning. This is a reminder that Wind Ensemble Assessments for Spring 2026 are due THIS FRIDAY, January 16. Please consider submitting a recording if you are interested! A small update to our openings.....

• Open WE Spots:

• 1 Flute/Piccolo

• 1 Tenor Sax

• 2 Trombones

• 3-4 Percussion

• Sections that could use more players per ADs: Horns, Clarinets (including Bass Clarinet), possibly Alto Saxes

• All instruments may submit an assessment for Spring regardless of noted availability above. Please understand that we may not be able to take additional players in every section at this time due to ensemble balance, but would generate a wait list in case we learn of others who are unable to play. 

Please see the rest of the details in the original email below on what to prepare and how to submit and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out!

Looking forward to making music with you all again soon!

Jenn

Hello CPB Family and Happy New Year!

Wishing you all the best as we enter 2026 and I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season!

We will be opening assessments for Wind Ensemble for this Spring. If you are already in the Wind Ensemble, you do not need to do anything at this time. We have some Wind Ensemble members who are unable to play with us this concert cycle and some sections we would like to increase participation if possible.

• Open WE Spots:

• 1 Flute/Piccolo

• 2 Trombones

• 3-4 Percussion

• Sections that could use more players per ADs: Horns, Clarinets, possibly Saxes

• All instruments may submit an assessment for Spring regardless of noted availability above. Please understand that we may not be able to take additional players in every section at this time due to ensemble balance, but would generate a wait list in case we learn of others who are unable to play.