Audition Information

"All-American" Marching Band | Marching Band Auxiliaries | Symphony Orchestra

Jazz Bands | Concert Bands | Basketball Bands

"All-American" Marching Band

All instrumental members, both veteran and newcomers, must perform a playing audition in order to be considered for membership in the marching band. The audition consists of playing the exercises from the Marching Band Audition Music Sheet for one of our staff members. This music will be sent to you as soon as we receive your registration form; the sooner we receive your form, the more time you will have to prepare. All percussionists audition on Sunday afternoon, August 17. All other members will do their playing auditions on Sunday evening or Tuesday morning of workshop week according to the schedule on pages 6 & 7 of the course handbook. You will be taught our basic marching style during this week, with marching evaluations completed by Friday morning.

Students who need University-owned instruments (percussion, sousaphones, baritones, and mellophones) may sign out these instruments upon arrival on campus. There is no additional fee for the use of these instruments. Please note that we DO NOT supply piccolos - students wishing to play piccolo must provide their own instrument. We do not march with flutes.

More information about joining Purdue Bands & Orchestra is available here.

Please feel free to contact Administrative Assistant Pat Newton or Director of the "All-American" Marching Band Jay Gephart if you have any questions.

Marching Band Auxiliaries - Twirlers, Dancers & Flags

Formal auditions for all auxiliary units are held in April before the fall semester begins. Any student who wishes to audition for a position in any of the auxiliary groups is required to audition at that time. Information on these tryouts is available from University Bands.

Students wishing to audition for the Goldusters, the Golden Silks, or the Twirling Line do NOT need to prepare a routine in advance. You will be taught special tryout routines which will consist of a brief demonstration of your ability to: march in the Purdue style, perfect a brief marching routine, and perfect the appropriate dance, flag, or baton routine to the music provided. Dress for the auditions is a white t-shirt and black shorts. You will perform your routines in groups of three or four for a panel of judges consisting of the band staff. Results of the auditions will be announced at the conclusion of the audition process. 

More information about joining Purdue Bands & Orchestra is available here.

Specific information regarding Solo Twirler auditions is available upon request. Please feel free to contact Administrative Assistant Pat Newton or Auxiliary Director Alisha Kuckartz if you have any questions.

Symphony Orchestra

All string players will audition the first week of classes. Please have prepared three (3) minutes of music (orchestral excerpts, solo literature, or an etude) and 2 major scales played ascending and descending in three octaves. All string members will audition on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, August 25 - August. 27 from 9:00 a.m.  to 5 p.m. in Room 134B of Elliott Hall.  You may sign-up in Elliott Hall for an audition time beginning Monday, August 18. Information sheets and sign-up sheets are located on bulletin boards throughout the lower level of the building.
           
Winds and Percussionists will audition for the Symphony Orchestra on Monday- Wednesday, August 25 -27 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Please have prepared three (3) minutes of prepared music (orchestral excerpts, solo literature, or an etude) and 2 major scales played ascending and
descending in two octaves.

More information about joining Purdue Bands & Orchestra is available here.

Please feel free to contact Administrative Assistant Pat Newton or Symphony Orchestra Director Andrew King if you have any questions.

Jazz Band and AMRE Auditions

All Jazz Band/AMRE Instrumental auditions will take place on Monday and Tuesday, August 25 and 26 in the Slayter Center Rehearsal Hall between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  Sign-up sheets for auditions will be in the Band Office at Elliott beginning the week before classes begin (During the week of AAMB Band Camp).  Saxophonists and rhythm section players should plan on auditioning on Monday and brass players on Tuesday. Singers will audition on Wednesday, August 27, at 7:00 p.m. in the Slayter Center Rehearsal Hall.  Upon completion of the auditions, students will be assigned to jazz workshop, one of the two jazz bands or AMRE.

Instrumental auditions will consist of prepared selections (the music will be sent to you during the summer after we receive your registration form), sight-reading, two scales of your choice (at least two octaves), and improvisation (two choruses of F or Bb blues accompanied by an Aebersold CD provided by Dr. Mo Trout, or two choruses of a tune of your choice for which you provide the play-a-long recording).

Singers should be able to sing a variety of music, but should have prepared both a ballad and an up-tempo, jazz-style song that will best showcase your talent.  Have your music memorized, and bring an accompaniment for the rehearsal pianist to play, or your own accompanist or accompaniment tape (no a cappella singing).  Singers will be asked to sing on a microphone and sound system. Those who have instrumental talents as well as singing abilities are encouraged to also audition as instrumentalists.

More information about joining Purdue Bands & Orchestra is available here.

Please feel free to contact Administrative Assistant Pat Newton or Director of Jazz Bands Dr. Marion "Mo" Trout if you have any questions.

Symphonic Band & Concert Bands

ALL winds and percussionists interested in the Symphonic Band (BAND 116) or Concert Band (BAND 117) will audition during the first week of classes. Auditions will take place Monday-Friday, August 25-29 from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Please have prepared three (3) minutes of prepared music (band excerpts, solo literature, or an etude) and 2 major scales played ascending and descending in multiple octaves. Please sign-up for your audition on the glass case in the basement of Elliott Hall of Music once you arrive on campus.

ALL wind and percussion players including returning members must audition if they plan to play in a concert band. THERE IS NO MEMBERSHIP IN ANY CONCERT ORGANIZATION WITH0UT AN AUDITION! PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS INCLUDES ALL UPPERCLASSMEN!

More information about joining Purdue Bands & Orchestra is available here.

Please feel free to contact Administrative Assistant Pat Newton or Director of Bands Jay Gephart if you have any questions.

Basketball Bands

Auditions for both bands are held during the last week of September and first week of October. Audition information will be posted in early-October on the departmental bulletin board. Additional information may be obtained from Prof. Max Jones for Boiler Brass and Dr. Pam Nave for Gold & Black Sound. Auditions will consist of two major scales performed one or two octaves ascending and descending, along with several sight-reading excerpts. A list of regular members and alternates will be selected. A complete list of rehearsals and performances will be provided to each member.

More information about joining Purdue Bands & Orchestra is available here.

Please feel free to contact Administrative Assistant Pat Newton, Director of Gold and Black Sound Dr. Pamela Nave or Director of Boiler Brass Max Jones or if you have any questions.