Auditions
Every year in February and March, auditions are held for band scholarships, as well as, entrance into the band program. Late auditions, which are for entrance into the band only, are held during new student orientation in the summer.
If you will graduate in 2007, apply as early as you can to UT!! Applications are available on-line from the admissions office. The priority filing date for applying to UT is November 1, 2007. The regular filing date is February 1, 2008.
Please call or email us to schedule an audition date for band entrance and potential scholarships. Four scholarship audition dates are available: February 9, February 16, February 23 and March 1.
Marching Band
Marching Band - If you would like to play in the University of Tennessee "Pride of the Southland" Marching Band, you will need to audition during the scholarship audition period (February 9, February 16, February 23 or March 1) or the late audition period (new student orientation).
Concert Bands
Concert Bands - If you would like to play in the University of Tennessee Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band or Concert Band, you will need to audition the weekend before the beginning of the fall/spring semester. If you do not plan to play in the marching band, and if you do not want to audition for a scholarship, this is the only audition you must attend. Music will be mailed from the band office by August 1. Please call 865-974-5031 to get your copy.
Pep Bands
Pep Bands - If you would like to play in a football pep band, auditions are open to members of the marching band only and are held during Band Camp. Auditions for basketball pep bands are in late October. Those interested in volleyball pep band will sign-up in August on a list posted outside the Band Room doors. More info on each of these groups can be found by visiting our pep bands page.
Flag Corps Auditions
Those interested in the 2008 "Pride of the Southland" Flag Corps will audition on Saturday, April 26th. Registration will take place at 9:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Band Room. A clinic will be held from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon and auditions will follow from 1:00 p.m-3:00 p.m. The audition will consist of dance basics and flag fundamentals that will be taught during the morning clinic. Please wear a plain white t-shirt, shorts and tennis shoes. Those chosen for the line are required to attend our Flag Corps Camp from July 11th-13th. Housing and meals will be provided for students during the camp.
Drum Line Audition
Those interested in the 2008 "Pride of the Southland" Drum Line will audition on Saturday, April 26th. Registration will take place at 9:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Band Room. A clinic will be held from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 noon and auditions will follow from 1:00 p.m-3:00 p.m. For the audition, we ask that you perform, either on snare or tenors, the music from our audition packet. You may request a packet by calling the UT Band Office at (865) 974-5031. Those chosen for the line are required to attend our Percussion Camp from July 11th-13th. Housing and meals will be provided for students during the camp.
Majorette Auditions
Majorette tryouts will occur on Sunday, March 9th. Feature Twirler tryouts will immedately follow majorete line selection. Add your name to our mailing list if you are interested in receiving timely information about tryouts in the spring of 2008 or in future years.
**You must submit your 2008 UT Majorette Line Audition Application by Monday, March 3rd. Applications may be found here.**
Audition Requirements for 2008
Date: Sunday, March 9th
Location: WJ Julian Band Room, Music Building, Volunteer Boulevard (across from Stokeley Athletic Center), Knoxville
Eligibility: Any UT student or incoming freshman. Applicant must have been accepted and committed to attending the University of Tennessee.
Attire: White short shorts and top. Dressing room will be available.
Equipment: Batons as needed for your routines and taped audition music.
Required Routines: (Twirling/Dance Twirl Routine): Time limit is 1:30-2:00 minutes. Judging categories include: variety, difficulty, coordination, appearance, gracefulness, twirling/dancing techniques, posture, originality and showmanship. Applicant's routine must include a minimum of one minute of one-baton twirling. Routine may include multiple batons and dance twirl. (Strutting): Each applicant will strut (basic) to a march tempo. Appearance, form, timing, gracefulness, and ability within a style will be judged. Marching style is applicant's choice. (New Routine): At 10:30 a.m. the head majorette will teach a twirl/strut routine to all candidates. Ability to assimilate and perform new material will be assessed.
Music: Each applicant will provide her own cassette tape or CD (music of applicant's choice). The tape/CD should have 1:30-2:00 minutes of music for the audition routine. It is important to have a good tape/CD that is ready to start at the beginning so there are no delays or problems with the music. A backup tape/CD is suggested.
Deadline: Application and photograph must be received in the Band Office by a date TBD.
General Information: Rules & Regulations
Candidates will report to band room for check-in between 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. on the audition date. The band room will be open for rehearsal from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.
Appearance and Physical Fitness are very important in the majorette corps. The UT Majorettes perform with the band in front of 108,000 fans. Majorettes must be in excellent physical condition and maintain their physical fitness during the year. Appearance includes personal grooming, proportion, poise and posture. As part of these requisites, each applicant will be weighed and measured before auditioning. Hair and make-up should be worn as you would for a performance. Hair may be worn up or down. Present yourself in your most favorable way. Each applicant must include one full-length (5x7) picture in uniform with application. If desired, a good quality color copy may be used.
Tryout Attire should be a form-fitting outfit consisting of white shorts and sleeveless white top. Suggested fabrics include superstretch or cotton. Tryout attire should have minimal trim.
Order of Events: (1)Learn new routine, (2) Strut (basic), (3) Individual twirling routine, (4) Perform new routine in small groups.
Twirling Tricks: The following tricks and movements may be required and included in the strut/twirl routine taught by the head majorette: 2 turn catch left and right (vertical and horizontal), 3 turn, toss-illusion to right, illusion to right and left, 1 and 2 blind catch left hand and 1 and 2 turn with right hand backhand catch.
No specific number of majorettes is chosen. The number of majorettes has ranged from 7-15 in past years and depends on the caliber of applicants as determined by the judges. Candidates selected are members of the band and are subject to the same rules and regulations as other band members. Any unexcused absence will be cause for immediate dismissal from the squad and replacement by an alternate at the discretion of the Director of Bands. UT Majorettes must audition each year. Should a selected majorette withdraw from school or leave the corps for any reason, the first alternate may be moved up to twirl with the squad. The list of alternates will be kept confidential and used at the discretion of the Director of Bands.
Featured Twirler tryouts will immediately follow majorette line selection. Candidates wishing to audition for featured twirler must first be selected for the majorette line. Featured twirler candidates will perform a 2:00-2:30 minute routine which may include 1-2-3 or more batons. A feature twirler will be chosen provided a twirler demonstrates the ability and caliber of twirling consistent with a feature twirler as determined by the judges. No flag, hoop, knife, or fire baton twirling. Each candidate must supply music on a cassette tape or CD. Location for featured twirler auditions will be announced following the naming of the 2008 majorette line. Family and friends may observe from a designated area (no one other than the contestants and judges permitted in the performance area). Featured twirler applicants will be judged on variety and difficulty of routine, coordination, appearance, gracefulness, twirling/dancing techniques, posture, originality, showmanship, and audience appeal.
Auditions are not open to the public (except for featured twirler). Only candidates and judges will be admitted to the tryout room with one exception: two band assistants will be present to operate a tape/CD player and serve as door persons. The band room will be open for practice from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. During auditions, parents and friends are asked to wait in a designated area (usually the choral room). Only those twirlers auditioning should be in the band room lobby.
Majorettes chosen for the line will receive a scholarship award of $700 per year. Featured twirler (if selected) will receive a $800 per year scholarship award.
Head Majorette will be selected by a committee of band faculty and assistants prior to majorette line auditions. Leadership skills, twirling ability and ability to choreograph routines are among the criteria considered.
Majoretes selected will meet immediately following tryouts to receive additional information regarding summer practice schedule, uniform fittings, majorette requirements and financial responsibilities.
Judging/Adjudication panel will consist of the following:
Director of Bands
Associate Director of Bands
Assistant Director of Bands
Current UT Head Majorette
UT Majorette Coordinator
Former UT Majorettes (1-2)
Judging Categories are:
Appearance
Twirling/Dance Routine (technical ability)
Strutting
Gracefulness and Showmanship
Additional Judging Information: Candidates must be approved by majority vote of the judges. Candidates may be asked to perform a routine or strut a second time to assist judges in their selection. Judge comments and scores are confidential and will not be disclosed.
If you have questions, please contact Judy Dooley in the Band Room at (865) 974-7520/jdooley@utk.edu or Judy Cox, Majorette coordinator, at (865) 693-1842/jbc724@comcast.net.