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BYU Drumline Auditions

(Go to the BYU Drumline page.)

Audition Procedure & Schedule

Audition materials are sent out beginning in mid-March. Before auditioning, applicants must have already submitted an INTENT TO AUDITION FORM. Applicants submit a video recording of themselves playing the required audition material, as well as any other exercises or etudes they would like to include. (Details are included in the audition packet, explained on the Auditions page.) Applicants will be contacted after their video has been received and reviewed. Positions are awarded as qualified players audition.

First priority audition videos must be received by May 1st. Announcements of acceptance and scholarship awards will be sent beginning June 1st. Additional audition videos are accepted until the percussion line is completely staffed, which may extend to the middle or end of June, but most sections are extremely competetive. Those who audition late have a much smaller chance of getting a spot, as priority is given to applicants that audition first.

Once all of the videos have been reviewed, applicants who have earned a position in the Drumline will be notified and informed what instrument they will play. Each applicant will be contacted with this information as soon as it is available. Unfortunately, there is no way to inform applicants in this respect before auditions are complete. No one is guaranteed to play what they did in high school or in previous years. However, positions are often finzalized at Drum Camp, the first time when the entire drumline meets together, so some changes may take place.

Instrumentation & Available Positions

The BYU Drumline typically fields 8-10 snares, 4-5 tenors, 5 bass drums, and 6-8 cymbals. This varies slightly from year to year, depending on available talent. (BYU does not have a "front ensemble" with keyboards, timpani, etc.) The number of avaliable positions changes every year as well, depending on how many members are returning as well as the talent of auditioning hopefuls. In general, there are 25-28 total members of the drumline and as many as 60 applicants, so competition can be tough.

Audition Video Guidelines

The Marching Percussion section at BYU is based on a foundation of basic technique that is applied to all instruments in the section. The exercises and etudes used for audition material are intended to be a sampling of rudimental figures at a variety of difficulty levels. You should make an audition video of yourself performing this material. The audition may be performed on a marching snare drum, appropriately tuned tenor drum, practice pad, or even a table or countertop. Make sure the video is clear and discernable.

When making your video, follow these guidelines:

Your feet must be visible, and you must mark time during the exercises.
Repeat each exercise two or three times.
Play as many of the exercises as you can. It is not required to be able to play all of the audition music to audition. Do the best you can on as much as you can.
Play both Etude No. 1 and No. 2 if possible. Etude No. 2 is more advanced and intended for more experienced players hoping to be considered for the Snare and Tenor lines.
The Tenor/Quad material consists of two very simple split exercises that will demonstrate your basic ability to move around the drums, followed by 2 etudes employing more advanced Tenor techniques. Play these if you have access to the instrument and would like to be considered for this section. If you have more experience on tenors, you are welcome to include some solo work or more advanced exercises.
If you have prepared another solo or etude that demonstrates your abilities, feel free to include that as well.

Questions & Concerns

If you have any questions about auditioning, about the audition material, or are concerned about whether your video has been received, please feel free to contact Fred McInnis directly. (Send email)