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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