Drumline Audition Information

2021 LMB Drumline Audition Status

The 2021 GVSU Laker Marching Band Drumline auditions have concluded.

Please contact Dr. John Martin at marjohnt@gvsu.edu if you have any questions.

Drumline Audition Form Deadline
July 9

2021 Drumline Auditions

We invite you to audition for the 2021 LMB Drumline!

  • Due to concerns about in Person auditions in May, we are have rescheduled our In Person auditions to Saturday, July 10 (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and Sunday, July 11, 2021 (12pm - 5 p.m.). Participants must attend both days. 
  • If we cannot host in person auditions, then Zoom auditions we be held on Saturday, July 11 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Audition Registration will open on December 1, 2020. 
  • Full-time students at area colleges/universities may audition. Contact Dr. John Martin at GVSULMB@gvsu.edu or call 616-331-2942.

Audition Process

The 2021 GVSU Laker Marching Band Drumline Auditions for prospective members and LMB returners will be conducted EITHER In person or by Zoom:

IN Person (Prospective/New Members ONLY):

  • Complete and Submit your online Drumline Audition Registration Form
    • The online form must be submitted before the Saturday audition date.
  • Choose both a primary and secondary drumline instrument audition packet to prepare. Instructions and specific packets are listed below.
  • Mastery of technique, understanding of all musical elements and instruction information in the audition packet are keys to a successful audition.
  • NOTE - It is highly encouraged that you are proficient on a secondary drumline instrument (snare, tenors, bass, or cymbal). 

*GVSU Bands Directors and Drumline Instructional staff reserves the right to ask any accepted member or LMB returner to move to a secondary drumline instrument based on the talent level, availability of instruments, and appropriate instrumentation of the drumline. 
 

IN Person (Returners Only):

  • Complete and Submit your online Drumline Audition Registration Form
    • The online form must be submitted before the Saturday audition date.
  • All LMB Drumline returners are required to attend the audition dates. 
  • Returners will be assigned to their respective instrument or new instrument.

*GVSU Bands Directors and Drumline Instructional staff reserves the right to ask any accepted member or LMB returner to move to a secondary drumline instrument based on the talent level, availability of instruments, and appropriate instrumentation of the drumline. 

**Zoom Auditions for Prospective/New & Returners (only if In Person cannot be held):

  • Complete and Submit your online Drumline Audition Registration Form
    • The online form must be submitted before the Saturday audition date.
    • The LMB Directors or Staff will contact each person to schedule their Zoom audition time on Saturday, July 10.
  • Choose both a primary and secondary drumline instrument audition packet to prepare. Instructions and specific packets are listed below.

 

Additional Information:

  • All accepted members must register for MUS 107 (marching band). This is a one (1) credit class.
  • Full-time students at area colleges/universities may audition. Contact Dr. John Martin at marjohnt@gvsu.edu or call 616-331-2942.

Drumline Audition Registration Form

Online Drumline Registration Form Link

**Submission of registration form Due by Friday, July 9, 2021

Mandatory Summer Camps

A. Laker Marching Band Mandatory Fundamental Day

  • All accepted members of the 2021 Laker Marching Band MUST attend one (1) Laker Marching Band Mandatory Fundamental Day on either Saturday, August 7 (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) OR Saturday, August 14 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) 
  • You will select your day on the online Drumline Audition Form. You will be able to change days if needed.
  • More information (schedule, etc.) will be sent to all accepted members of the LMB on July 15.

 

B. Laker Marching Band Camp - Full Band

**We cannot make definitive plans for our band camp at this time, but we hope to have final plans in place by June 1, 2021. Below are the two band camp options:

  • Plan 1 - Thursday, August 19 - Wednesday, August 25
  • Plan 2 - Saturday, August 21 - Wednesday, August 25

Audition Materials

2021 GVSU Drumline Audition Packets Information:

Please review the instructions that includes options for those who not have access to drumline instruments and your respective packet that are listed below.

 

Snare

Snare Packet

  • GV Eights
    • 1x @ 120bpm: 12”
    • 2x @ 140bpm: 1x double beat (9”) 1x triple beat (9”)
    • 2x @ 160bpm: 1x crescendo(3”-12”) 1x decrescendo(12”-3”)
    • 1x @ 180bpm: 6”
  • Paradiddle Buildup (with all repeats)
    • 1x @ 140bpm: 9”/3”
    • 1X @ 168bpm: 6”/3”
  • GV Triplet Rolls (with all repeats)
    • 1x @ 140bpm: 9”/3”
    • 1x @ 152bpm: 6”/3”
  • Marching Warmup
    • 1x @ 104bpm, 1x @ 120bpm
  • GVSU Street Beat
    • 1x @ 120bpm

 

For a Snare Drum Zoom Audition:

  1. If you have the means to play on a snare (w/ stand or carrier), please do.
  2. If no drum access, play on a practice pad set at an appropriate height for natural standing playing position.

 

If you have any questions about the technique or video requirements, feel free to email: GVSULMB@gvsu.edu

Tenors

Tenor Packet

  • GV Eights
    • 1x @ 120bpm: 12”
    • 2x @ 140bpm: 1x double beat (9”) 1x triple beat (9”)
    • 2x @ 160bpm: 1x crescendo(3”-12”) 1x decrescendo(12”-3”)
    • 1x @ 180bpm: 6”
  • Paradiddle Buildup (with all repeats)
    • 1x @ 140bpm: 9”/3”
    • 1X @ 168bpm: 6”/3”
  • GV Triplet Rolls (with all repeats)
    • 1x @ 140bpm: 9”/3”
    • 1x @ 152bpm: 6”/3”
  • Marching Warmup
    • 1x @ 104bpm, 1x @ 120bpm
  • Video 5 - GVSU Street Beat
    • 1x @ 120bpm

 

For a Tenor Zoom Audition:

  1. If you have the means to play on a set of drums (w/ stand or carrier), please do.
  2. If no drum access, play on a practice pad set at an appropriate height for natural standing playing position.
  3. Do your best to simulate playing zones for the various drums.

 

If you have any questions about the technique or video requirements, feel free to email: GVSULMB@gvsu.edu

Bass Drum

Bass Packet

  •  GV Eights
    • 1x @ 120bpm: 12” unison
    • 2x @ 140bpm: 1x ones (9”), 1x fours (9”)
    • 2x @ 160bpm: 1x twos (6”), 1x threes (6”)
    • 1x @ 180bpm: 6” unison
  • Paradiddle Buildup (with all repeats)
    • 2x @ 140bpm: 1x unison (9”/3”), 1x split (9”/6”)
  • GV Triplet Rolls (with all repeats)
    • 1x @ 140bpm: 9”/3”
    • 1x @ 152bpm: 6”/3”
  • Marching Warmup
    • 1x @ 104bpm, 1x @ 120bpm
  • GVSU Street Beat
    • 1x @ 120bpm

 

For a Bass Zoom Audition:

  1. If you have the means to play on a drum (w/ stand or carrier), please do.
  2. If no drum access, play on a practice pad set at an appropriate height for natural standing snare playing position
  3. You may pick whichever line you feel most comfortable playing; however, please remember to play the unison notes on the center line as well.

 

If you have any questions about the technique or video requirements, feel free to email: GVSULMB@gvsu.edu

Cymbals

Cymbal Packet

  • GV Eights
    • 1x @ 120bpm, 1x @ 150bpm, 1x @ 180bpm
  • Marching Warmup
    • 1x @ 104bpm, 1x @ 120bpm
  • GVSU Street Beat
    • 1x @ 120bpm
  • Demonstration of each of the sounds defined in the technique packet.
    • You will need to play 4 repetitions of each sound in the order listed in the Cymbal Notation Key, making sure to demonstrate both Flat and Port crashes and chokes at whatever tempo you feel most comfortable.
    • No need for a metronome or mark time for this portion. 

 

For a Cymbal Zoom Audition:

  1. If you have the means to play with a set of cymbals, please do.
  2. If no cymbal access, demonstrate with hands at an appropriate height for natural cymbal playing position.
  3. You may pick whichever line you feel most comfortable playing; however, please remember to play the unison notes on the center line as well.

 

If you have any questions about the technique or video requirements, feel free to email: GVSULMB@gvsu.edu

If you would like to get more information about the Laker Marching Band, please contact the Band Office at (616) 331-2942 or at GVSULMB@gvsu.edu. Please leave a voicemail if your call is not answered!


Page last modified July 14, 2021
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