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AUDITION INFORMATION
Please contact the band office if you
are interested in auditioning for the 2011 season by submitting your information on the
PRESEASON CAMP REGISTRATION
FORM page.
Thank you for your
interest in becoming a member of the ECU Marching Pirates Drumline. Our upcoming
season is certain to be one filled with excitement and challenge, and the
Drumline is going to be as strong as ever. Hopefully you will end up with a spot
in the group and enjoy the experience of a lifetime, but the audition process
alone has a lot to offer in regards to musical development and social
interaction. We can't wait to meet you in August!
EXPECTATIONS
This online packet contains all of the music you will need to prepare for your
audition as well as thorough technique documents that answer any questions you
may have about our approach to playing and thinking here at ECU. Due to the
nature of our schedule and the lack of time available for learning music before
our first performance, all of the material in this packet will need to be
memorized at the time of your audition. We will only have a day or two at band
camp to work on much of the music in this packet before we begin tackling music
for our first halftime show, and any rehearsal time spent memorizing music is
time that we could be using to get better. This is probably more music than you
are used to encountering in an entire season, let alone an audition packet, but
trust me when I say it is completely necessary. Those intending on auditioning
for bass or cymbals will need to be extremely familiar with the composite parts
(in split part scenarios) and will be expected to adapt to individual parts
quickly.
AUDITION PROCESS
We will conduct our auditions in small groups, section by section, until each
individual has been evaluated. Those who are invited back after the initial
audition may be asked to move around the line until I feel that the right
players are in the appropriate place based on preparation, skill and
personality. I understand you will be eager to know the outcome of your audition
so that you may plan the rest of your semester, and I will try my best to set
the line quickly, but this process may take some time. I hope to have the line
set by the end of day two (at the latest). Please be realistic about your level
of ability and experience on any particular instrument before preparing for the
audition. You will only be permitted to audition on one instrument, so choose
one which will allow you to demonstrate your full potential. Every member in our
line is a very important one, and each section is just as valuable as the next.
If you receive a position in the group you will have an amazing experience, no
matter the instrument.
ITEMS TO BRING
There are several things that the entire band will need for camp, but some that
are specifically required for the Drumline. In addition to the supplies required
for the full band, please be sure to have the following items on the first day of
camp:
-
Three-ring binder
with all audition material in protective plastic sleeves
-
Additional plastic
sleeves for music you will receive at camp
-
Pencils
-
Practice pad
-
Water bottle
-
EAR PLUGS!!!
-
Sticks and mallets (if you have them)
-
Metronome (not
mandatory, but strongly encouraged)
ECU DAY OF
DRUMMING
At the "ECU Day of Drumming" we
will spend a lot of time in sectionals to learn and adapt to the techniques used
in the ECU Marching Pirates Drumline, as well as become familiar with the
exercises we will use throughout the season. All audition music can be found on
the MUSIC page.
Please feel free to
email me with any questions that this document has not addressed. Thank you!
Nick Nichols, Drumline
Instructor
wgnicholsjr@gmail.com |