Placement auditions for the UNH Wildcat Marching Band drumline battery will be held on August 5th. All new AND all returning members are required to audition. This is for part placement only. No one will be cut. This information is for battery members only. Front Ensemble does not currently have auditions but we will need to be in contact so we know what your abilities are. While in-person auditions are strongly preferred, arrangements can be made if you can't be here. Next preference would be a live but remote audition via Zoom. Last choice is a pre-recorded video audition, but this will put you at a disadvantage because the staff can't work with you and have you try additional things. Read on for more information.
2023 auditions will be held on Saturday, August 5th in the Paul Creative Arts Center room M223. Students will sign up for an audition slot at the registration link.
What to prepare
Download the UNH warm ups and cadence below. You should work on these pieces on the instrument (snare, tenors, bass, or cymbals) that you would like to play in the line. If you would like to prepare on more than one instrument, you may do so. The audition materials do NOT need to be memorized. Remember that our goal is to place you where you will contribute best to the line.
Make sure you also complete the Participation Form by July 21st
Warmups
Cadence
Snare and Tenors
Prepare all of the cadence.
It does NOT need to be memorized at this time but you should be able to play through it.
Be comfortable demonstrating the following rudiments:
- Open Rolls (5s, 9s, long)
- Paradiddles (single, double, triple, and paradiddle-diddles)
- Flams
- Flam Taps
- Swiss Army Triplets
- Drags
- Single-stroke roll, including sextuplets
Please be aware that our snare line usually plays traditional grip. Please prepare the materials using whichever grip you are more comfortable with, but if you are interested in snare, we may ask you to demonstrate traditional grip (p.3). If you currently play matched but are hoping to play snare for us, all is not lost. If you demonstrate a potential to learn traditional quickly, you'll have a better shot. However, all instruments in our line are given challenging parts, so if you end up somewhere else, you'll still have a great time and will have plenty of notes to play. It is also possible that we could decide to use matched grip if it seems best for the line.
Basses
Prepare all of the cadence. Play all 5 parts.
It does NOT need to be memorized at this time but you should be able to play through it.
Be comfortable demonstrating the following rudiments:
- Double-stroke rolls
- Paradiddles (single and double)
- Single-stroke roll, including sextuplets
Cymbals
Prepare all of the cadence, play the top part when there are splits.
It does NOT need to be memorized at this time but you should be able to play through it.
Be prepared to demonstrate the following techniques:
- Vertical Push
- Burst
- Right and Left Flairs
Some other information about cymbals:
- Don't worry if you aren't familiar with our extended techniques. There are videos to help you with this and we will also teach them to you.
- Some of you who audition for a drum placement may be placed on cymbals. Our cymbal line plays intricate split parts and incorporates many visuals into the music.
- Like the rest of the drumline, you must be able to read music to play cymbals. You should also work on your upper body strength, as they can be physically demanding to play.
- Zildjian Marching Cymbals 101 YouTube playlist (featuring SCV cymbal line)
Front Ensemble
We utilize a primarily electronic front ensemble with keyboards, electronic mallet instruments, a MacBook, iPads, and some acoustic instruments such as suspended cymbals. We write for the personnel we have. If you are interested in playing in the front ensemble, please
Where and what time?
We will hold auditions in person on Saturday, August 5th. Please follow the instructions on the registration form to sign up for a time slot. Other arrangements can be made for scheduling or other extenuating circumstances. You should plan to arrive about 20 minutes before your time slot so you can warm up on your own. Please register by Wednesday, August 2nd.
What if I can't make it on the scheduled date?
We really want you to be there but we understand there may be conflicts or distance may be a factor. We would prefer a live remote audition via Zoom so the instructors can interact with you. If you would like to audition this way, choose a time on the registration form and indicate you will be on Zoom. You will need to have a drum, drum pad, or cymbals at home. If you are completely unavailable day-of, please
How to register
Video instructions
You have two options to audition remotely. The first is to audition via Zoom on the audition day. You can indicate this choice on the registration form and select an open slot. The benefit of this is the interaction you will have with the instructors. They can give you feedback and an opportunity to apply that to what you're doing right then and there. Obviously, it would be best for you to be here in person if at all possible. This will benefit you the most.
The other option is to record yourself and upload it to YouTube using the following instructions:
Please record yourself using these guidelines.
- Frame the video so it shows you from the waist up. Make sure you zoom in tight enough that your hands are clearly visible, but don't cut off your upper body or head.
- If you have access to a marching drum and would like to use that for your video, you are welcome to. Otherwise, a practice pad is just fine. Mount it on a stand or place on a solid flat surface at the appropriate playing height while you're standing.
- Briefly introduce yourself before playing. Let us know your name and where you're from. If you have other information to share that you don't include on your registration form, you can do this now as well.
- Play! You may stop the recording between each example if you want. It does not need to be one continuous recording. Be aware that you may need to edit clips together for uploading if you stop in between.
- Use a metronome to ensure you play at the proper tempo. If you do not have one, there are several online metronomes and apps.
- Tell us what you're playing before you start each example.
- Please play each of the exercises listed above. You need go through each only once.
- Please play through the cadence once. Remember that it does not need to be memorized.
- Please demonstrate each of the rudiments listed above (a couple bars of each).
- When you're done, upload the video to YouTube (you may need to create an account if you don't already have one or a Google account).
- Set the privacy settings to "unlisted." Doing this will ensure that your video will not turn up in search results or on your video list, but allows anyone with the link to view it.
- Send us the link! E-mail the link to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . - For full consideration, please submit this by Saturday, August 5th at noon. After that, instrument spots will be limited.
Additional Questions:
Drumline Instructor:
Band Director: