Auditions for 2010
Music Majors and Music Minors
January 16, 2010 • January 23, 2010 • January 30, 2010
Non-Music Majors
February 13, 2010 • February 20, 2010
Auditions for band scholarships (stipends), as well as entrance into the band program for those students who wish to Major in Music, will be held on January 16, 23, and 30, 2010. Auditions for band scholarships (stipends) as well as entrance into the band program for those students who do not wish to Major in Music will be held on February 13 and 20, 2010. If you are interested in auditioning on one of these dates, please call the band office at 865-974-5031, or email us at utband.utk.edu to schedule an audition time. If you are unavailable on these dates, please contact us to check into the possibility of scheduling an individual audition. Late auditions, which are for entrance into the marching band only, may be held during new student summer orientation.
If you will graduate in 2010, apply as early as you can to UT!! Applications are available on-line from the admissions office. The Admission Application Deadline for UT is December 1, 2009.
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 or the late audition period (new student orientation).
Concert Bands
Concert Bands - Auditions for Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band are held several days before the beginning of each semester. Audition Music for Fall Semester Auditions is mailed to students or available in the band office during July of each year. Audition Music for Spring Semester is announced in December of each year. Auditionees may sign-up for an audition time in the band room lobby. For more information, please call 865-974-5031 or email us at utband@utk.edu.
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 held 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 2010 "Pride of the Southland" Flag Corps should audition on a regularly scheduled audition day (see above). Auditionees should.
1. Arrive wearing jazz blacks, sneakers or dance shoes
2. Must demonstrate basic flag fundamentals to include;
drop spins, double time spins, double time toss, horizontal toss,
Stirs and a 45 toss
3. Across the floor exercises to include; jazz walk, jazz run, chase’ and sote’
4. Please prepare a one minute routine (with or without music) demonstrating
your combination dance and flag abilities.
Those chosen for the line are required to attend our Flag Corps Camp on a weekend in July. Housing and meals will be provided for students during the camp.
Drum Line Audition
Those interested in the 2010 "Pride of the Southland" Drum Line should audition on a regularly scheduled audition day (see above). Those chosen for the line are required to attend our Percussion Camp on a weekend in July. Housing and meals will be provided for students during the camp.
Majorette Auditions
Majorette tryouts for 2010 are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 7, 2010 in the WJ Julian Bandroom on the UT campus. Feature Twirler tryouts will immedately follow majorete line selection.
**You must submit your 2010 UT Majorette Line Audition Application postmarked no later than Friday, January 29, 2010 to be eligible to audition. Applications may be found here.**
Majorette Audition Requirements for 2010
Location: WJ Julian Band Room, Music Building, Volunteer Boulevard (across from Stokely Athletic Center), Knoxville
Eligibility: Any current UT student or incoming freshman. Incoming freshman must have applied to The University of Tennessee.
Attire: Twirlers will perform their tryout audition in any competitive twirling costume or high school majorette costume in any color. Costumes should be one piece and should not have a skirt. Current or former UT majorettes auditioning are not allowed to wear UT twirling costumes worn while performing with The Pride of the Southland Band. Tights are permitted. White or tan shoes are acceptable.
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 2:30 p.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 must provide her/his own CD recording (music of applicant's choice). The CD should have 1:30-2:00 minutes of music for the audition routine. It is important to have a good CD that is ready to start at the beginning so there are no delays or problems with the music. A back-up CD is suggested.
Deadline: Application and photograph (see explanation included in application form) must be postmarked no later than Friday, January 29, 2010 to be elibible to audition.
General Information: Rules & Regulations
Audition Check-in: Candidates will report to band room for check-in between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on the audition date. The band room will be open for rehearsal from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
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.
Appearance and Physical Fitness is very important in the majorette line. 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.
Judging Categories:
Appearance, Twirling/Dance Routine (technical ability), Strutting, Gracefulness and Showmanship.
Number of Majorettes Chosen: No specific number of majorettes is chosen in any given year. The number of majorettes has ranged from 7-15 in past years and depends on the caliber of applicants as determined by the judges. UT Majorettes must audition each year. Should a selected majorette withdraw from school or leave the majorette line 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.
Auditions are not open to the public. Only candidates and judges will be admitted to the tryout room. In addition, two pre-selected band assistants will be present to operate a CD player and serve as door monitors. 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 $800 per year. Featured twirler (if selected) will receive a $1000 per year scholarship award.
All Candidates must audition on February 7, 2010.
Majorettes 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, but is not limited to the following:
Director of Bands
Associate Director of Bands
Assistant Director of Bands
UT Majorette Coordinator
Former UT Majorettes (1-2)
Please note: Judge’s comments and scores are confidential and will not be disclosed.
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 a music recording on a CD. Location for featured twirler auditions will be announced following the naming of the 2010 majorette line. Tryouts for feature twirler will be closed to the public. Only contestants and judges are 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.
Additional Questions: If you have questions, please contact Judy Dooley in the Band Room at (865) 974-7520 • jdooley@utk.edu or Carrie Creswell, Majorette coordinator, at (865) 850-2141 • carriecreswell@yahoo.com.