University of South Florida Color Guard Auditions
University of South Florida
School of Music
All audition procedures can be found here: Audition Information
Audition Cost: none
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Audition FAQs:
Eligibility
Any student who is currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a college or university that does not have a marching band program. This does not mean you can just sign up for an on-line cooking class somewhere, you must be actively working towards a degree.
Course Credit
USF students will register for the “Marching Band Class”. If you are studying somewhere other than USF we will walk you through the registration process. Please note that there are absolutely no exceptions to this requirement. All students will receive 1 credit hour for being in the class.
Audition Procedures
We do not allow non-participants to observe the auditions.
Attire
All candidates must wear form-fitting, “work out style” attire. Prepare to be outside and inside during the audition day. You will need sneakers. All hair must be pulled back, out of the face, and off the neck.
Equipment
We will have flags available but we highly recommend that you bring your own equipment if you are able. We use 6-foot poles, 39″ rifles, and 39″ sabers. We do understand that different groups use different sizes of equipment, which is nothing to stress about. Please know that you may be asked to try our equipment as well, during the course of the audition weekend.
Technique and Choreography
The audition weekend is designed for us to teach and observe technique and choreography. In order to be considered for membership you must be proficient on both movement and flag. During the audition weekend you will learn technique exercises. Then you will be taught a portion of choreography on both movement and flag. The entire audition will be based on how well you respond, learn, and grow during the process.
Movement
You should be comfortable with basic dance skills, i.e. — plies, sautes, chasses, spiral rolls, traveling exercises, and basic pom. The judges we will be paying close attention to how well you move, and how you look doing our choreography. We will also suggest that you take a dance class (either ballet or modern) in the off season.
Flag
You must be comfortable with drop spins, peggy spins, cone exercises, thumb flips, angle exercises, a prep to a 3 and 4 count toss, and a 45° toss (all of these on BOTH right and left hands). Pay attention to detail and precision, as well as fluidity and musicality during the flag portion of your weekend. The body contribution in learning choreography is key. See more specific breakdown of some things to work on below.
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Weapon
We will not finalize the weapon line at auditions, but we may have time to spin sabre and rifle and look at your weapon technique. No one is required to spin weapon for their audition. We will be gauging your initial audition primarily on movement and flag.
Attitude
We will be looking at how you learn, how you relate with other members, and how you relate to the staff. It is important that you show up willing, eager, and open to every aspect of the audition process. It is highly likely that we will ask you to do some things that we do that you have never done before. We recognize that you will likely be stronger in some areas than others. This is typical for an audition for any performance group. Just know that we will be taking into account how you approach the process as a whole. How do you overcome obstacles? How is your work ethic and drive to excel? How do you use your time and resources when you are learning?
Dynamic and Expressive Range
We are not only looking for technical ability and raw talent, but also passion, commitment, emotion, and expressive performance connection. It is important that the members of the guard are able to portray the emotional nature of the show and the music. The interpretations of the music must come through in your performance. Let us see you shine through as your authentic individual self. Be YOU 100%. Let us see you at your highest level of performance and personal fulfillment.
Contact
Please feel free to contact me prior to the audition camp if you have any further questions. ebannon@mail.usf.edu Once you have registered on our interest form, I will invite you to be part of a University of South Florida Color Guard and Feature Twirler 2018 Auditions group on Facebook. This is a good place to meet veteran color guard members, meet other guard auditionees, and ask any questions that you might have before you come to auditions. We all look forward to meeting you and having an amazing experience together.
What if I cannot attend the auditions?
Your attendance at our audition is a major deciding factor in the audition process. However, if an acceptable conflict should prohibit you from attending, or if you are traveling from another country, you may be able to present a video audition for consideration. It is difficult to come across 100% over a video so please make every effort to come to the audition. You will need to contact Liz Bannon at: ebannon@mail.usf.edu for more information.
What should I practice before auditions?
- Movement
- Plies
- Tendus
- Any Across the Floor Combos
- Stretching – we need you to be flexible
- Basic Pom
- Flag
- Drop Spins on Right/Left
- Peggy Spins or Double Fast Right/Left
- Thumb Flips Right/Left
- Carves Right/Left
- Pull Hits/Flips Right/Left
- Single Tosses Right/Left
- Double Rotation Tosses Right/Left
- Pole Tosses Right/Left
- Pop Toss Right/Left
- 45° Toss Right/Left
- Try ANY of these (↑) exercises & tosses moving
- Try catching your tosses in different positions (backhand, behind the back)
- Try some tosses with a turn around underneath
- Rifle/Sabre (not required for everyone auditioning)
- Spins on Right/Left
- Flourishes Right/Left
- Triples, Quads, Fives, Sixes
- Try ANY of these (↑) exercises moving or with lower body efforts
- Try catching tosses in different positions (flat, port, upside down, on the ground)
- Try some tosses with a turn around underneath
Final Thoughts
Have FUN! Learn as much as you can. Practice as much as you can before auditions, and we will teach you everything you need to know when you get to auditions. Just show up ready to learn. Pay close attention to your body when you are learning combos and choreography. Think about performance immediately! We want to see who is ready to perform on the first day! Work ethic and drive is everything – how productive are you when you are on your own? Everyone experiences challenges, how you overcome those challenges is key.
University of South Florida Feature Twirler Auditions
University of South Florida
School of Music
May 11, 2019
8am-10am
Cost: none
Audition FAQs:
Eligibility
Any student who is currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program at a college or university that does not have a marching band program. This does not mean you can just sign up for an on-line cooking class somewhere, you must be actively working towards a degree.
Course Credit
USF students will register for the “Marching Band Class”. If you are studying somewhere other than USF we will walk you through the registration process. Please note that there are absolutely no exceptions to this requirement. All students will receive 1 credit hour for being in the class.
Audition Procedures
Upon arrival, you will make your way to the audition room. It is suggested you arrive at least 30 minutes early to warm up. You will enter the room and fill out the paperwork provided. This will ask general information about yourself, your twirling career/achievements, and where you plan on attending school upon acceptance. Numbers will be drawn in random order, you will pull a number and that is when you will perform your routine. Everyone waits in the hallway and each student will enter the room alone as it is a closed audition with yourself and the panel of judges. We do not allow non-participants to observe the auditions. In conclusion of your routine and interview, you are free to leave and will be contacted via email on the results.
Location
You will be auditioning in a private room. It is important to note the floor is smooth tile, and the ceiling height is approximately 20 feet. Please plan accordingly when planning your choreography.
Attire
All candidates must wear a competition style costume with cougars or jazz shoes. You are expected to have your hair and makeup done in the same way you would for a performance. Please show up to auditions ready to perform.
Any returning members are not to wear their USF costume.
Equipment
Bring all batons to auditions. Fire baton is not part of the audition but you are expected to have prior experience. Props are not necessary for audition routines. The waiting area is relatively small and big/bulky bags or items are not recommended.
Routine
You will perform your own routine for a panel of judges. The routine should include whatever you believe displays your skill set best. Remember that you are trying out for a feature twirler position and want to perform in a way that you will stand out on the field. It is a good idea to have your music downloaded to your phone and also on a CD. It is always a good idea to have multiple forms and backups. Your routine must not exceed 2 minutes. One, two, and three baton skills are required during the audition process.
Interview
After your performance you will have a brief interview with the judges. The judges want to see your personality and passion for the sport. After the interview, you are officially done with your audition and may leave unless told otherwise.
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Attitude
We will be looking at how you learn, how you relate with other members, and how you relate to the staff. It is important that you show up willing, eager, and open to every aspect of the audition process. It is highly likely that we will ask you to do some things that we do that you have never done before. We recognize that you will likely be stronger in some areas than others. This is typical for an audition for any performance group. Just know that we will be taking into account how you approach the process as a whole. How do you overcome obstacles? How is your work ethic and drive to excel? How do you use your time and resources when you are learning?
Dynamic and Expressive Range
We are not only looking for technical ability and raw talent, but also passion, commitment, emotion, and expressive performance connection. It is important that the members are able to portray the emotional nature of the show and the music. The interpretations of the music must come through in your performance. Let us see you shine through as your authentic individual self. Be YOU 100%. Let us see you at your highest level of performance and personal fulfillment.
Contact
Please feel free to contact me prior to the audition camp if you have any further questions. ebannon@mail.usf.edu Once you have registered on our interest form, I will invite you to be part of a University of South Florida Color Guard and Feature Twirler 2018 Auditions group on Facebook. This is a good place to meet veteran color guard members, meet other guard auditionees, and ask any questions that you might have before you come to auditions. We all look forward to meeting you and having an amazing experience together.
What if I cannot attend the auditions?
Your attendance at our audition is a major deciding factor in the audition process. However, if an acceptable conflict should prohibit you from attending, or if you are traveling from another country, you may be able to present a video audition for consideration. It is difficult to come across 100% over a video so please make every effort to come to the audition. You will need to contact Liz Bannon at: ebannon@mail.usf.edu for more information.
Final Thoughts
The Feature Twirler position at the University of South Florida has been a respected position for years. You are not only trying out to share your talent with thousands of fans, you are trying out to become part of an elite program where you will meet some of the best people in your life. Although the feature position is a more independent position than being on a traditional majorette line, you are still expected to be a team player and will be held to the same expectations as the color guard.
Mike Blade has worked with several of my drill clients since 2010 and does an outstanding job. If you are looking for color guard routines for beginners and need very basic work, or if you need highly advanced and complex choreography, Mike can deliver.
Mike has the ability to design very artistic work while keeping the difficulty level in check.Mike is a musician, so he writes with inherent sensitivity to each musical phrase. The secret to his success is his ability to write effective, musical choreography at any level. He believes that in order for a color guard to excel, the work MUST be achievable!
Custom Color Guard Design Services
With Mike’s custom color guard choreography, you can count on the following:- Teachable choreography written at your guard’s difficulty level
- Full customized routines based on your ideas and parameters
- Detailed instruction matched to the drill counts/measure numbers
- High Quality DVD or Video File delivered on-time
- Affordable pricing
- Flag, Rifle, Saber and Dance work as needed (Ask about other props)
- All guard work is carefully coordinated with the drill and music
Award-Winning Color Guard Choreography By Mike Blade
Mike has been working as a professional visual designer and choreographer for competitive marching bands, drum and bugle corps, and winter guards for over 20 years. He has worked with multiple Texas UIL State Marching Champions, Bands of America Regional Champions and Winter Guard International World Championship finalists.
During his performance career, he was a member of some of the top organizations of the time. Since then, Mike has had an impressive career as a color guard director as well as a marching band and winter guard visual designer. His most distinguished accolades include:
- Texas 5A State Marching Champions
- Marcus High School (2006 and 2008)
- Texas 3A State Marching Champions
- Argyle High School (2010)
- Texas 2A State Marching Champions
- Queen City High School (2009 and 2011)
- WGI A Class Bronze Medalist
- White Gold Winter Guard (2011)
- WGI Open Class Finalist
- Black Gold Winter Guard (2006-2008)
- WGI A Class Finalist
- DeSoto High School (2009)
- WGI A Class Finalist
- Marcus HS (2007)
Visual Design Services
RMS Visual Designs ensures that your show will be of the highest quality. We offer full-service visual choreography for your entire band, written by our team. You will always know exactly who is working on your show, because we never hire ghostwriters! What you see on this site is what you get:
Custom Marching Band Drill Design: For the greatest visual impact during your competitive season, combine custom drill and custom choreography.
Custom Musician Choreography: Visual choreography for the musicians on the field makes a stronger show.
Marching Shows for Small Bands: RMS Visual Designs partners with Luke McMillan to create full marching band shows for small ensembles.
Color Guard Routine Ideas
For incredible color guard routine ideas from Mike Blade and RMS Visual Designs, contact us today! We’ll let you know everything you need about our custom show packages. Fill out our online quote form or call (800) 605-1608 to get a fast customized price quote including guard choreography! Let us know how you found this page to receive a discount on your entire package.