Audition and Tryout Requirements

Instrumentalist
There are no tryouts for membership in the Marching Thunder for instrumentalists.  However, auditions are required for new students that wish to apply for a partial tuition waivers  through the marching band.  These partial tuition waivers are in limited supply and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  If you are interested in auditioning for a partial tuition waiver, please complete the online information form by following the "Contact Us" link on the home page.  Select the audition date that best fits your schedule.

Audition Requirements:  prepared music of the student’s choosing, a short sight-reading piece that we will provide.  Percussions should also be prepared to play basic rudiments.

Color Guard

Audition Date:  There will be a supplemental Color Guard Audition Date on May 30, 2009 for the fall 2009 season.  All candidates should report to the Henderson Center Basketball Arena at 9:00 a.m. (should be over by mid-afternoon)

If you are interested in trying out for membership in the 2009 MU Color Guard please contact Mr. Steve Barnett, Director of Bands at barnetts@marshall.edu or by calling 304-696-2317.

Congratulations to 2009 Marshall University Color Guard (those that have already been selected)

Allyson Jasper
Amber Galloway
Bethany Bias
Briana Washington
Brittany Hensley
Cassie Wright
Chris Collins
Danielle Harman
Donnie Waddell
Jessica Hernandez
Joe Clavey
Julie Miller
Kaitlin Roberts
Kimber McCarter
Kimmy Sifford
Meredith Wallace
Michael Rose
Shea Roy
Spencer Winters
Tiffany Holliday

Ashley Bragg

If you are a new student and are interested in being a member of the Marching Thunder Color Guard for the Fall 2010 season, please complete the online information form by following the "Contact Us" link on the home page or call Mr. Steve Barnett, Director of Bands, at 304-696-2317 for more information on membership.  You may also email him at barnetts@marshall.edu.

The purpose of the Color Guard audition process is to determine the talent level of each candidate and of the group as a whole.  The candidate’s improvement and ability to learn new material is also an important component.   We encourage all interested students with color guard experience who are dedicated and hard-working to participate in the audition process.

 Basic Information

     Equipment will be provided during the audition process

    Returning members are required to re-audition

    May want to bring bottled water and lunch money

    Wear all black outfit (something you can move in) and shoes with support.

 Required Basic Flag Fundamentals

     *  Drop Spins                          Right & Left

     *  Pole Hits                             Right & Left

     *  One Handed Stirs                Right & Left

     *  Thumb Flips                        Right & Left

     *  Daisy Spins                         Right & Left

    *Peggy Spins                            Right and Left

     *  Money Hand Toss                Right and Left

There will be a short meeting after announcement of selected members.  There will be another supplemental audition one in late May or early June to be announced soon.  If you do not make the color guard at the first tryout, you will have a chance to work a little extra and re-audition at the later date. Other students that miss the first tryout date may choose other date to tryout.  If you cannot tryout on either of the tryout dates please call Mr. Barnett at the band office to set up an appointment.

 If there are questions about the color guard or the color guard tryouts please contact Mr. Steve Barnett, Director of Bands, at 304-696-2317 or barnetts@marshall.edu.

Dancers

Marshall dance team tryouts for Basketball season:

November 15, 2009

1-4pm routine session

Break for dinner

6:00 formal audition

Tryouts will be held at the Student Recreation Center on campus and the audition fee is $20. 

For more info contact mudancers@aol.com

Audition Date: April 2010 (TBA)
Audition Facility: Marshall University Henderson Center Main Arena

2009-2010 Dance Team Members

Tori Craft, Jo Tippett, Angela Bumgarner, Maryellen Hill, Rachel Sachini, Katie Kirby, Jenna Devoss, Alyssa Cline, Haven Campbell, Abigail Mangus, Abby Camp, Madeline Stack, Melodie Tweedlie

9:00 a.m.- Registration

 What to Bring:

• A recent head shot photo (will be placed with your application that will be filled out when you arrive to audition)
• $10.00 registration/audition fee (no checks, cash only please)
• A blue or black pen
• Bottled water or cooler
• A towel
• Any type of dance shoe—no bare feet or lyrical sandals.
• A great attitude! Be prepared to have fun.

 Requirements:

• All auditioning dancers must display incredible stage presence.
• Must maintain a G.P.A. of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Must have skills in pom, jazz, hip hop (and funk), ballet, and proper technical skills (i.e. turns, leaps, etc.)
• Solid double pirouettes are mandatory but triple pirouettes are preferred.
• Formal training in ballet and jazz will be recognized but not mandatory.
• Side leaps, barrel leaps, and switch leaps.
• Flexibility—high kicks, left and/or right splits.
• Experience with a marching band—not mandatory (basic marching skills, and field comprehension).
• All ladies should be able to execute a fouettes a la second and en pase.
• Have an understanding of correct body alignment and modern movement regarding musical interpretation.
• Excellent showmanship skills and teamwork are crucial.
• Motivation!

For more information please contact Bridget Watters at mudancers@aol.com.

 
Feature Twirlers

Audition Date: April 2010 (TBA)
Audition Facility: Marshall University Henderson Center Main Arena

9:00 a.m.- Registration

Date and Times:  April 2010- Cam Henderson Center- 9:00 a.m. Registration
All candidates for Feature Twirler should bring 3 batons and any novelty that the candidate chooses to the tryout.  Novelty items could include swords, hoop, flag batons, etc..... (Novelty items are not required.)  The candidate should perform to their choice of music.

Candidates should wear a black body suit with leggings (pants) or shorts and twirling shoes.  They should also wear their hair neatly back in a pony tail, braid, etc... Twirling outfits are not needed for auditions.

Candidates need to prepare a 1, 2 and 3 baton routine of their own of approximately 3 to 5 minutes of combined time.  These routines should consist of tricks and skills that best show off their twirling ability and body work.

Candidates will be judged based on how well they execute their individual routines.  Routine difficulty, body work and showmanship will also be evaluated and taken into consideration.

If there are any questions concerning these requirements or tryouts please contact Kim Maynard, Majorette Instructor, at 304-634-4222 or email kdreese10@yahoo.com.

Majorettes

Audition Date: April 2010 (TBA)
Audition Facility: Marshall University Henderson Center Main Arena

2009-2010 MU Majorettes

Kayleen Bailey, Merri-Francis Campbell, Ashley Conley, Olivia Hughes, Ashlee Johnson (Co-Captain), Kayla Lowers (Captain), Abby Lynch, Andrea McConnell, Chanisha Mendenhall, Candy Smith, Katie Underwood

9:00 a.m.- Registration

Date and Times:  April 2010- Cam Henderson Center 9:00 a.m.- Registration

Drum Major- Tryouts- TBA- as needed

2009 Marching Thunder Drum Majors (in alphabetical order)

April Bennett

Edward Brown

Tessa Gore

Amanda Wright

To be eligible to tryout for Drum Major, a student must have been a member of the Marching Thunder for at least one year. Students will complete an application form and turn it in to the Director of Bands. 

Requirements will be to conduct an appropriate marching band selection of your choice from a tape recording or CD.  You should also conduct the “Alma Mater”.  You may get a CD of this song and a music score from the band office.

 Each candidate will be asked to conduct 8 measures of each of the following with a cut off, 4/4, 3/4 and 2/4. (Be prepared to conduct in both marcato and legato styles.)

Also, each candidate will be asked questions by the judging panel pertaining to general Drum Major duties and responsibilities.