Percussion Auditions

Band Camp for Marching Percussion Members is August 17-23, 2024

Deadline for Audition Submissions: July 11, 2024

IMPORTANT: If you have any questions about the audition process at all, or would like some tips/feedback on your playing before you submit an audition, please email Percussion Instructor Barry Dvorak.

Bands

Please Read Carefully

General Information:

We are excited to have you audition for the 2024 Panther Marching Band Drumline and Frontline.

  1. Please choose the instrument(s) on which you would like to audition (snare, tenors, bass, cymbals, or frontline/mallets). If you would like, you may choose to audition on as many instruments as you like. Due to the competitive nature of auditions, we recommend that you audition on more than one instrument, but this is not required.
  2. Every spot on the line is open. Returning members are not automatically guaranteed a position on the line.
  3. For a detailed and comprehensive look into how the PMB Drumline works, as well as some information and suggestions on how to submit your audition video, please take some time with our Drumline Techniques Book.

There are two ways to audition for Drumline/Front Line:

1. Video Audition

The easiest way to audition is by submitting a web link to a video of your audition. You may use any website that you prefer, such as YouTube, Vimeo, etc. Please do not send links to password protected files/sites.

Please scroll down to read "Directions for All Auditions." Additionally, please follow these guidelines in creating your video:

  1. You must mark time during the performance, and your feet must be visible on the video. Frontline candidates do not need to mark time.
  2. A metronome must be used during the auditions, and the sound of the metronome must be audible on the video.
  3. Perform all pieces listed for your instrument(s).

To audition by video, email the following information to drumline@uni.edu

  1. Weblink to your video
  2. First and Last Name
  3. Upcoming year at UNI (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
  4. Major
  5. Phone
  6. High School attended
  7. Instrument choice in order. For example, if you prefer to play snare but would also consider bass, then list 1. snare, 2. bass. Please remember that if you do not list second and third choices then you will not be considered for those instruments, which will limit the possibility that you will be selected for the line. We recommend that you list as many choices as you can.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: JULY 11, 2024

After July 11, please contact Barry Dvorak to inquire about remaining openings in the line.

2. Orientation/On Campus Audition

New members can audition during their Freshman or Transfer Orientation this summer.

Contact drumline@uni.edu at least seven days before your arrival to schedule a 15-minute audition time.

All live auditions are videotaped. The purpose of Orientation Auditions is to provide an opportunity for you to videotape your audition using the drumline equipment on campus, in case you are not able to access video or marching percussion equipment over the summer.

Orientation Auditions will take place in Russell Hall. We provide an exact room number or meeting place when communicating with you through email.

Returning students who cannot submit a video audition because of problems accessing equipment may contact to set up a time to meet on campus to video the audition. Contact drumline@uni.edu at least seven days before your arrival to schedule a 15-minute audition time.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: JULY 11, 2024

After July 11, please contact Barry Dvorak to inquire about remaining openings in the line.

Directions for ALL auditions (Orientation/On Campus or Video)

Note: you must mark time during all selections (frontline candidates do not need to mark time)

All students auditioning for snare drum will prepare the following:

Either traditional or matched grip is allowed. Please use the grip that you are most comfortable with and that shows us your best technique.

All students auditioning for tenor drums will prepare the following:

All students auditioning for bass drum will prepare the following:

* Voice 1 is the highest drum, voice 3 is the third highest drum

All students auditioning for cymbals will prepare the following:

All students auditioning for frontline will prepare the following: (keyboard part)

Reference Recordings of Audition Material are available here.

For questions, please contact Barry Dvorak, Drumline Instructor - barry.dvorak@uni.edu

Have a great summer!

From the Band Director

We are all very excited to have you audition for the Panther Marching Band drumline and front ensemble. It will be great to have so many new members to join us, and to work with all of our returning members again. I hope you will consider submitting a video audition or auditioning live on campus over the summer.

Please do not place so much emphasis on your position/instrument in the line. Sometimes, in high school bands, instruments like cymbals and bass drums get a bad reputation because of their easy parts, or because a wind player is switched to those instruments in order to fill out the line. This is not the case here. We need outstanding musicians on every single position in the line. The idea that one position is superior to the other (i.e., that snare is better than cymbals, etc.) does not apply in college. Please audition for as many instruments as you can!

We will be in contact with additional information after July 11, the deadline for audition submissions. If you have been accepted into the Drumline, be sure to study the Drumline Techniques Book carefully before you arrive for Band Camp so you can hit the ground running!

Finally, the Summer Newsletter (2024 version will be posted in April) contains all of the important information you need to know about joining the PMB, and be sure to check out our FAQs. Please read them carefully.

Please let me know if I can answer any questions that you might have about this process.

We are very excited to have you audition for a position on the line!

Dr. Justin Mertz

justin.mertz@uni.edu