College Marching Auditions

[Name_Plate]

Hello,

I am looking for some good music for auditioning for the PSU Blue Band next year (I am currently enrolled at a PSU branch campus). I would have auditioned for it this year but the current situation made me reconsider, so I for goed the audition. I will be getting my tuba on Saturday and want something good to work on. My band director does not know brass well, so I have turned to you all for help looking for good audition music. Thank you for any suggestions you may have!

Connor H

[matt g]

For collegiate marching band auditions, usually showing proficiency over the 12 major scales (2 octaves), the chromatic scale, and two contrasting etudes is more than sufficient. That’s usually a selection from Bordogni and one from Kopprasch.

I briefly looked for information from them, but that seems to be lacking. I think if you have all of the above ready and possibly a decent solo piece ready to go at the time of the audition, you’ll be fine.

[bort2.0]

I've never heard of a marching band audition.

[matt g]

I've never heard of a marching band audition.

They exist. And they have existed for quite a while.

What’s left to determine is the utility of them. I can see where they are useful for stuff like trumpet sections, but no idea about sousaphone. We would normally pack the center of the line with better players.

[Teubonium]

I've never heard of a marching band audition.

They exist. And they have existed for quite a while.

Yes, I had to audition for U. of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band in 1958. (Yeah, I'm 80 yearsold and still playing).
Audition was simple. Several scales and a couple of pieces to sight read.

[Name_Plate]

Thank you for the input, I am currently working to get 3 octaves in every major/ minor scale. I was looking for some help identifying a few good solos to work with. I have some former classmates join the band so I know the basics of the audition process. The solo is the part I am most concerned with because I have never had to prepare a true solo before so I don't really know what a good solo would comprise of for a tuba.

[matt g]

Thank you for the input, I am currently working to get 3 octaves in every major/ minor scale. I was looking for some help identifying a few good solos to work with. I have some former classmates join the band so I know the basics of the audition process. The solo is the part I am most concerned with because I have never had to prepare a true solo before so I don't really know what a good solo would comprise of for a tuba.

My free advice and worth every penny...

1. Buy this:

Suite - Walter S. Hartley - THEODORE PRESSER - Tuba solo - Tuba Unaccompanied - 164-00061

2. Work it up to a decent tempo. There are several good recordings on YouTube and such for reference. Commit it to memory. Once you have, you’ll have something interesting and indicative of about 90% of your ability over several genres with about 8 minutes of music and no pianist needed.

3. ???

4. Profit.

Also, while working your scales up to 3 or 4 octaves is noble, only 2 octaves, and in the “cash register” is enough for most auditions and juries.

[Three Valves]

I've never heard of a marching band audition.

Not for tuba.

We just

[jtm]

There was a comment elsewhere from someone clearly disdainful of marching bands that said you're in if you bring your own tuba and play something vaguely melodic. You likely know better, but just in case,

• The band will supply a performance instrument, most likely a Bb sousaphone. For the audition, if you have a tuba you're comfortable playing, bring that. If you don't, or if it would be difficult to bring your own tuba because of travel, tell them well in advance and they should be happy to lend you a tuba or sousaphone to use for the audition.
• There will be music majors in the band, along with engineers and business majors and other musicians, so whoever hears your audition will not be surprised by good playing. Don't stress about demonstrating extreme range, though; they barely need more than two octaves (total) from sousaphones. Arrangements never go below E because the horns have 3 valves and they won't expect anyone to play false tones on the marching field, and anything higher than Ab at the top of the base clef is also rare.

Ask your contacts to be sure, but the audition may be two stages: one short playing audition to get in to training, and then another tryout after a few days of summer band.

[Doc]

What requirements are listed on the PSU website or in their literature?

[bone-a-phone]

There was a comment elsewhere from someone clearly disdainful of marching bands ...

Aw, what are you saying? Marching bands matter? Can we still mock drum corps? You're not going to band me are you?

[jtm]

You're not going to band me are you?

Where's that groan emoji? Maybe

I've mocked marching bands plenty, but it's not sporting to spout nonsense to someone who seems to genuinely care about joining one.

One thing in particular that sets me off (and it might not be where that particular answer was coming from; probably just joke from a nice guy) is academics in music schools who can't understand how their students can simultaneously want to be fine musicians and also do a couple of seasons in the football band, so they'll dis the band or even prohibit it.

[bone-a-phone]

One thing in particular that sets me off (and it might not be where that particular answer was coming from; probably just joke from a nice guy) is academics in music schools who can't understand how their students can simultaneously want to be fine musicians and also do a couple of seasons in the football band, so they'll dis the band or even prohibit it.

Well, I attended a conservatory, which obviously didn't have a marching band, but I also was in a military band for 4 years, so I've done more than my share of marching. I just thought I'd take a dig at the fresh wounds around here while also taking a dig at the march/anti-march rift that happens any time two or more musicians are gathered together. Just can't help mixing metaphors.

[jtm]

Funny how attractive those fresh wounds seem to be. The comment I referred to was from the old place :)

I was a bassoon player in college, so no one in the concert groups ever told me I shouldn't march with a sousaphone. Besides, I was an engineering major, so nobody cared.

[Doc]

Besides, I was an engineering major, so nobody cared.

Unless you are getting a scholarship for participating in marching band, there would be no reason for it to be a big deal either way.

Some small colleges require marching band. If it wasn't required, and you weren't seeking a scholarship, you would only need to be in marching band if that's what you wanted. And having fun, making friends, traveling to new places, and seeing games for free is appealing to some folks. And there's nothing wrong with that. But down here, you do have to accept that the price you are going to pay is sweating your tail off, coming home exhausted, and trying not to die of heat stroke.

[jtm]

... But down here, you do have to accept that the price you are going to pay is sweating your tail off, coming home exhausted, and trying not to die of heat stroke.

For sure.... I did one year of no music (but really good grades), then decided I really missed the music. So, two years of band (and wind ensemble in the spring), but that was enough to use up my time and heat budgets. I did get some good friends and good trips out of it, though.

[Doc]

... But down here, you do have to accept that the price you are going to pay is sweating your tail off, coming home exhausted, and trying not to die of heat stroke.

For sure.... I did one year of no music (but really good grades), then decided I really missed the music. So, two years of band (and wind ensemble in the spring), but that was enough to use up my time and heat budgets. I did get some good friends and good trips out of it, though.

I formed some lifelong friendships in during college marching band, and have some great memories. And some stories that I can tell when the statute of limitations run out.

[Three Valves]

If you ain’t wearing Spatz and hi-stepping in that band, you might as well set yer ass down, no point...