Drum Major Video Guidelines

Drum Major applicants should follow the same instructions as our other participants when you submit your audition video, but include the following:

1. Introduce yourself and answer the following question: Why do you want to be an Academy Drum Major? (2 minutes or less)
2. Record yourself conducting one piece of your choosing in 3 minutes or less. This can be a video from your marching band/concert season or a video of you conducting to a recording.

Once your video is received, it will be reviewed and we will notify you regarding the results. Thanks again for your interest in The Academy, and we look forward to seeing your video!

Guard Video Guidelines

Academy Color Guard Video Audition Instructions

There are three components to the video audition, a personal interview, technical component, and choreographic component:

1. Personal Interview – In 60 seconds or less, let us know: Who are you? Where are you from? What is you color guard experience? Do you have additional performance experience? Why do you want to do drum corps? Conclude by sharing some interesting facts about yourself!

2. Technical Component 

1. • Flag Skills (***Do three repetitions of each skill with no break in between.***)
     1. Standard Singles, Single and a Halves, and Doubles on the left and right.
     2. Standard 45s, Single rotation and Single and a Half rotation on the right.
     3. Cradle 45s, Single rotation and Single and a Half rotation. 

3. • Weapon Skills (optional)
     1. Please work your way up the ladder, starting with singles, and demonstrate tosses all the way up to a 5. Do three repetitions of each toss. Same procedure for the flag technique mentioned above.
        You may use your own technique that you have used up to this point to demonstrate tosses.
   1. 1. 1. Rifle, singles, doubles, triples, quads, and fives
         2. Sabre, hilt singles, doubles, triples, quads, and fives
         3. Sabre, blade singles, doubles, triples, and quads.
            
4. Choreography Component – For the section, please provide 45-60 seconds of choreography for each piece segment. Dance and Movement choreography are required, weapon is not. Choreography can come from a past fall or winter show, or you can create a phrase.

Brass Video Guidelines

Brass applicants should demonstrate both visual and musical skills in the video. Here are some suggestions:

1. A short introduction of yourself that includes your past performance experience (less than 1 minute)
2. Musical – Perform an etude/solo of your own choosing demonstrating technical facility. (1-2 minutes)
3. Musical – Perform an etude/solo of your own choosing in a lyrical style. (1-2 minutes)
4. Musical/Visual Excerpt 1- Perform a lip slur exercise of your choosing while performing a box drill at 142 BPM (or similar marching drill)
5. Musical/Visual Excerpt 2 – Perform a 7-count long tone while performing a box drill at 180 BPM. 

Front Ensemble Video Guidelines

Front Ensemble applicants should submit a video demonstrating some of the recommendations below. All technique excerpts should be played along with a metronome that can be heard on the video.

Mallet & Keyboard players:

1. A short introduction of yourself that includes your past performance experience (less than 1 minute)
2. Two-Mallet Technique – Selection of your choice.
3. Four-mallet technique exercises – Selection of your choice.
4. Optional – If you currently do not have access to an instrument, you can submit a past performance video that can give the staff an example of your skills and experience.

Timpani players:

The Academy will most likely be incorporating a timpani player in the 2025 season.  Submit a video of you performing in one or more of these scenarios:

1. A short introduction of yourself that includes your past performance experience (less than 1 minute)
2. ‘Timpani Scales’ (7/8 Scales) @ 60 BPM. Play the following scales in order as notated in exercise.  C, C#, D, D#, E, F.
3. ‘Dampening’ exercise @ 96 BPM
4. ‘Crossover/Doubles’ exercise, w/ repeat @ 80 BPM

Drumline Video Guidelines  (Snare, Tenor, Bass, Cymbals)

Drumline applicants should submit a video demonstrating some of the recommendations below. All excerpts should be played along with a metronome that can clearly be heard on the video. It is preferred to see excerpts from Academy’s technique program from our current packet, which will be available upon registering. However, other material can be performed that demonstrates some of the same skills and ability level that the staff is looking for.

1. A short introduction of yourself that includes your past performance experience (less than 1 minute)
2. A few technique exercises of varying difficulty (2-3 minutes)
3. Some music excerpts from a book recently performed (1-2 minutes)
4. Optional – an excerpt of you performing on your instrument within another drumline (1-2 minutes)