Auditions for the OSU Band Program

OSU bands are open to all university students by audition only. You must be accepted to Oklahoma State University in order to audition. You do not need to be a music major however, to qualify for membership in the Cowboy Marching Band.  You may email the Director of the Cowboy Marching Band, Dr. Brad Snow or the Administrative Assistant Dianne Holba.

Twirler Auditions

All participants must:
1) Be accepted or enrolled at OSU by the date of the audition.
2) Send a letter of recommendation from a teacher, employer or friend on work ethic and attitude.
3) Send a resume of twirling experiences and accomplishments. You may include titles won, camps and contests attended, team or field twirling experience. You may also send in a DVD or VHS if you wish, however, this is not required.  All letters of recommendation, resumes, optional video, must be received no later than Friday, March 28, 2008.
You may either email materials to brad.snow@okstate.edu or mail materials to:

     Dr. Brad Snow
     220 Seretean Center
     Stillwater, OK 74078

4) Perform two routines utilizing the criteria listed below at a live audition held on the campus of Oklahoma State University on Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:00 am.

• The first routine will be to “Ride ‘Em” and “OSU Chant.” Recordings are available online at http://bands.okstate.edu/CMB/sounds.html and are listed as “The Trilogy.” It is not necessary or recommended to twirl to the waving song or to alter or crop the original music. These songs will be provided at the audition. This routine will consist entirely of one-baton tricks.

• The second routine will be to music of your choice. This routine must be 1:30-2 minutes in length and contain only one-, two- and three-baton tricks. Please bring your music on an audio CD or cassette tape correctly cued. Consider bringing a backup just in case. A CD/tape player will be provided.

The tricks below should be included in either or both of the above routines. This list is not only a way to standardize the audition, but also to provide a solid base on which to build your routine. If you have a question about the tricks because of a difference in terminology, contact Carey Robinson at carey.robinson@okstate.edu

One-Baton
• High toss illusion
• High toss cartwheel, forward roll, or walkover (choose any, all are accepted)
• Three turn
• Leaps, laybacks, kicks, and other body work
• Small flip sections
• Swing sections
• Horizontal and vertical sections
• Recommended, but not required
o Rolls
o Finger twirls
o Ability to move while twirling (this is often required in this band)
o Variety of poses and other tricks

Two-Baton
• Showers/juggles
• High toss, four pass
• Vertical/horizontal combinations
• Continuous movement of both batons
• Interesting/Creative ways of picking up batons are encouraged

Three-Baton
• Juggles
• Boxes (horizontal and/or vertical)
• Three consecutive tosses
• Continuous movement of all batons
• Interesting/Creative ways of picking up batons are encouraged

All participants will also be judged by the following criteria:
• Showmanship
• Gracefulness
• Ability to recover from mistakes
• Ability to choreograph routines to match music
• Technique
• Attitude

*** Please keep in mind that the audition will take place on real grass, outside, and with the sun and wind. Every participant will wear practice clothing that is comfortable and flattering, with hair pulled back out of your face. Costumes are not necessary.

Tips:
• Practice on grass or at least outside
• Choose tricks wisely. Pick tricks that are consistent and flattering.
• Please choose music that is appropriate and flattering to your routine.
• Be positive at your audition. If you drop or make a mistake, the best thing to do is pick up the baton and continue with a bigger smile.

You will be notified by mail within one week of the audition date if you are chosen for this position.

Historically, the Cowboy Marching Band has accepted two twirlers at a time; however, we reserve the right to accept as many or as few applicants that are qualified for the position. If you are not selected, you are encouraged to audition again the following year. If chosen, you are required to enroll in MUSI 2610 (marching band), attend pre season band camp (the week before classes begin) and attend all rehearsals, home games, full band trips, parades, pep rallies, and bowl games as required by the band director.

Color Guard
 

2008 Cowboy Marching Band

Color Guard Audition Information

Auditions for the 2008 Oklahoma State University Cowboy Marching Band Color Guard will take place on Saturday, April 5 2008 beginning at 10:00 am in the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts. Please contact the OSU Band office at (405) 744-6135 for directions.                   

Those individuals planning on auditioning need to wear clothes that are easy to move in. Please - no jeans. Also wear comfortable tennis or jazz shoes. It is also advised that you bring water, sunscreen (in case we’re outside), and most importantly- a smile! J 

All new and returning members are required to audition. If you are unable to attend please call the band office at (405) 744-6135 to arrange an alternate audition date.  

Auditions will be given on flag only.  A routine does not need to be prepared for your audition. Everyone will learn the same audition routine beginning promptly at 10:00 am. You will be expected to learn the routine with the help of the captains and perform for a panel of judges later in the day. Your skills will be evaluated while learning the routine throughout the audition. Your training will involve learning technique in both movement and equipment and will be enhanced with choreography so that you may demonstrate how well you perform those skills combined. It is important that ALL members have a strong base of movement and flag technique.  The audition routine will consist of basic flag movements that may include:

            • drop spins

            • speed spins

            • angles

            • figure-eights

            • carves

            • windmills

            • wrist curls

            • pole pops

            • 45° tosses

            • parallel tosses

            • basic dance technique                           

If you have any questions or need clarification about the above terminology, please contact the director of the Cowboy Marching Band, Dr. Brad Snow, at (405)744-6135 or by email at brad.snow@okstate.edu                                                               

OSU Color Guard Philosophy

Colorguard isn’t just about waving a flag around for people to watch during halftime. It’s a passion, a fire inside that drives you to release all your emotions into the flag, to will the audience to see the beauty in the music that you’re putting on display for them with your flags and weapons.

Woodwinds and Brass
Openings for flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, baritone, trombone, and tuba. The audition should consist of two prepared selections showing your lyrical and technical ability as a player (3 -5 minutes in length). A piece that you might perform at Solo or Ensemble contest, or for All-State would be appropriate. You do not need an accompanist.  Call (405) 744-6135 to secure an audition. All auditions are at the OSU Seretean Center for Performing Arts, room 218.
Please direct any questions to Dianne Holba.

Percussion
Openings for Snare Drum, Multi-Tenor, Bass Drum, and Cymbals.  Email Professor Wayne Bovenschen to receive audition material, or call Mr. Bovenschen at (405) 744-8983 with any questions you might have.  Final auditions for the 2006 OSU Drumline will be April 29th.

           
Directions and Audition Appointments
To confirm audition participation and directions to campus, contact Dianne Holba, Administrative Assistant in the OSU Band Office at (405) 744-6135. Or, email her at dianne.k.holba@okstate.edu.

Note: Be sure to leave plenty of time for parking, as finding a spot can
sometimes be difficult!