Marching Band

• 100 Drop Spins
• Demonstrate all of the tosses you know
• Perform 32-64 counts of work
  • This can be any work from a previous marching band show, winter-guard show, or something you create yourself.
• Learn the routine to the IWU Fight Song

Please watch the following video for an explanation of requirements and a step-by-step demonstration of the routine to the IWU Fight Song.

Audition Requirements:

• 2 Major Scales (Student’s choice. Two octaves should be played where appropriate.)
• A chromatic scale
• 1-2 minute prepared piece that demonstrates your best qualities as a musician
  • Suggestions: Solo & Ensemble literature; A previous marching/concert/jazz band song 

Audition Requirements: 

*Note: All auditions should utilize an audible metronome at the listed tempos

• Front Ensemble Audition: (please perform on a marimba)
  1. Major Scales (2 octaves ascending and descending)
     • C Major; D Major; Bb Major
  2. “Eights” (from the Front Ensemble Warmups Packet)
     • 100 bpm
     • 120 bpm
     • 132 bpm
  3. “Burton Octaves” (from the Front Ensemble Warmups Packet)
     [please use RR LL sticking on the first 2 lines]
     • 100 bpm
     • 112 bpm
     • 120 bpm
  4. (OPTIONAL) Solo Excerpt/Etude demonstrating 4-mallet technique (any grip style)
     
     
• Piano/Synthesizer Audition:
  1. 3 major scales and arpeggios (2 octaves) of your choice
  2. A prepared solo (1-2 minutes)
     
     
• Drumline Audition (snare/tenors/bass)
  please perform on a marching snare drum
  1. “Eights” (from the Drumline Exercise Packet)
     • 112 bpm
     • 128 bpm
     • 144 bpm
  2. “Timing Check Patterns #1-5” (from the Technique Development Packet)
     • 116 bpm
  3. “Binary Roll Breakdown” (from the Technique Development Packet)
     • 92 bpm
  4. (optional) Rudimental Solo/Etude of your choice
     
     
• Cymbal Line Audition
  1. Please demonstrate the following techniques, in addition to performing items #1 and #2 from the above Drumline list:
     • Orchestral Crash (4 whole note crashes @ 100 bpm)
     • Choked Crash (8 half note crashes @ 100bpm)
     • Hi-Hat Choke (16 quarter note chokes @ 100 bpm)
     • Sizzle (4 whole notes @ 100 bpm)

Audition Requirements:

*Note: All auditions should utilize an audible metronome at the listed tempos

Schedule your audition directly with Percussion Director, Michael Rennaker.

• Front Ensemble Audition (please perform on a marimba)
  1. Major Scales (2 octaves ascending and descending)
     • F Major; A Major; Eb Major
  2. “All exercises from the Front Ensemble Warmup Packet
     • “Eights” @ 124 bpm
     • “Accent/Tap” @ 132 bpm
     • “Burton Octaves” @ 120 bpm
     • “Green Scales” @ 112 bpm
     • “Triplets” @ 132 bpm
  3. (optional) Solo Excerpt/Etude demonstrating 4-mallet technique (any grip/style)
     
     
• Piano/Synthesizer Audition
  1. 3 major scales and arpeggios (2 octaves) of your choice
  2. A prepared solo (1-2 minutes)
     
     
• Drumline Audition (snare/tenors/bass)
  *please perform on a marching snare drum
  1. All Exercises from the Technique Development Packet
     • “Timing Check Patterns, #1, 6-9” @ 116 bpm
     • “16^th Independent – Check” @ 116 bpm
     • “Sub 16” @ 124 bpm
     • “Sixes” @ 100 bpm
     • “Binary Roll Breakdown” @ 96 bpm
  2. Duple Rolls (from the Drumline Exercise Packet)
     • 128 bpm
     • 138 bpm
  3. Triplet Rolls (from the Drumline Exercise Packet)
     • 128 bpm
     • 138 bpm
  4. (optional) Rudimental Solo/Etude of your choice

• Cymbal Line Audition
  1. Please demonstrate the following techniques:
     • Orchestral Crash (4 whole note crashes @ 100 bpm)
     • Choked Crash (8 half note crashes @ 100bpm)
     • Hi-Hat Choke (16 quarter note chokes @ 100 bpm)
     • Sizzle (4 whole notes @ 100 bpm)

If you cannot set up an audition on campus, we ask you to make a recording of the requirements above and follow this procedure:

• Upload the finished video to YouTube as an UNLISTED video. By doing this no one can see the video with the exception of whoever has access to the link. Copy and paste the entire URL (the YouTube web address) from the address bar to the box below labeled “Video URL.” We will correspond with you promptly regarding your entrance into our band program after we have reviewed your completed video.
• Students may only submit one video.
  • If you are not selected during the audition process to participate in the marching band and wish to discuss your audition further, please contact Briana Blankenship, Director of Athletic Bands (briana.blankenship@indwes.edu).
• The final step of your audition, your Scholarship/Commitment Agreement, will be assigned accordingly following your audition video submission.

1. To begin, click “Sign In” on the YouTube homepage in the upper right corner.
2. Select the option to “Create An Account”
3. You will need to establish a Google account, if you already have a Google email you can use that email as your username.
4. Fill in the required information to finalize your YouTube account.
5. Once your account has been set up and you are logged in, select the “Upload” button on the YouTube homepage.
6. Select the Arrow to upload your video.
   • There will be a drop-down menu with options to make the video Public, Unlisted, or Private. Select the option for UNLISTED (this ensures that only those who have the link can view the video).
   • Title the video with your Name (i.e. John Smith Marching Band Audition.)
   • Copy and paste the entire URL (the YouTube web address) from the address bar to the box labeled “Video URL” on the Audition Interest webpage (you will need to log-in to this link again exactly as you did previously for the Application portion)