The Marching Thunder Majorettes and Featured Twirlers perform at all events with the band. With beautiful costumes and death defying tricks, the ladies and gentlemen entertain audiences every time. Membership is open to all students at Marshall and auditions are held in the spring each year.
The Marshall University Majorettes and Feature Twirlers are headed up by coordinator and coach Kimberly Maynard and coach Adam Abshire. The Marching Thunder Majorettes perform on a variety of equipment. Membership in the majorette section of the Marching Thunder is open to all students of Marshall University and local community colleges with experience and by audition. We welcome and invite your participation. We want you here! If you have any question regarding involvement in The Marching Thunder as a majorette or feature twirler, you are more than welcome to reach out to any of our student leaders below, our staff. If you have specific questions for the Director of Athletic Bands, please contact Dr. Christopher Schletter.
2023-2024 MAJORETTE AND FEATURED TWIRLER AUDITIONS.
Video submission deadline is March 11, 2023; by 5:00p.m. It should be noted that submitting a video, to audition, does not guarantee the candidate a position as a majorette or featured twirler.
If selected, candidates will receive a call back to be invited to in-person auditions. In-person auditions (by invitation) will be held Sunday April 30, 2023 at 12:00pm in the Marshall University Recreation Center.
The video audition process for the Marshall University Majorette Line consists of a solo-routine that showcases the candidate’s showmanship, bodywork, technique, and twirling ability. The solo-routine should be a routine that is 2-4 minutes in length. The candidate will select their own music. Required items for auditions are 1 and 2 batons. 3-baton is optional for majorettes. No novelty items are to be used.
All videos are due by Saturday, March 11th at 5pm. Candidates will be notified on Monday, March 13th of the results.
Suggested Skills for Majorettes include:
You are required to thumb toss your baton. The applicant will be scored in the categories of variety and content, difficulty, speed and control, performance and technique, and showmanship, presentation and appearance.
- 3 spin or higher
- Toss Illusion
- Toss Reverse Illusion
- Horizontal 2 spin
- Toss Layback
- Toss Cartwheel or Walkover
- High Kicks right and left leg
- Split- right and left leg
Attire
- Black Leotard
- Nude or Tan Tights
- Cougars or Twirling/Dance Shoes (No Tennis Shoes permitted)
- Hair and Makeup did appropriately for Game Day Performances!
Additional Audition Considerations:
The audition process is designed to take into considerations several aspects of the candidate. Most obviously, the technical abilities of the individual are a primary consideration. However, there are several other qualities the staff and director consider during the audition and rehearsal process which are equally important. Some of these would include character, integrity, and attitude. Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate the ability to take and apply criticism for further personal growth and development, as well as the ability to work as part of a team in collaboration toward a common goal.
The Marching Thunder is a highly visible entity of Marshall University and we hold our members to a high musical and social standard.
To submit a video:
- Record your video. Please note your video should be one continuous shot. Do not edit or stop your video
- Upload your video to YouTube. Be sure to make it unlisted.
This year’s video audition submission window has closed.
Questions concerning auditions please contact the Majorette and Feature Twirler instructors.
The video audition process for the Marshall University Feature Twirler position consists of a solo-routine that showcases the candidate’s showmanship, bodywork, technique, and twirling ability. The solo-routine should be a routine that is 2-4 minutes in length. The music selection is made by the candidate. Required items for auditions are 1, 2 and 3 batons. 4-baton is optional. No novelty items are to be used.
All videos are due by Saturday, March 11th at 5pm. Candidates will be notified on Monday, March 13th of the results.
Requirements Feature Twirler:
You are required to thumb toss your baton. The applicant will be scored in the categories of variety and content, difficulty, speed and control, performance and technique, and showmanship, presentation and appearance.
- 4 spin or higher
- Toss Illusion
- Toss Reverse Illusion
- Toss one spin Reverse Illusion
- Horizontal spins
- Toss Layback
- Toss Cartwheel or Walkover
- Rolls
- Double Illusion or Double Walkover/Cartwheel
- Variation of catches- under leg, blind, behind back, backhand, etc.
- Split- right and left leg.
Additional Audition Considerations:
The audition process is designed to take into considerations several aspects of the candidate. Most obviously, the technical abilities of the individual are a primary consideration. However, there are several other qualities the staff and director consider during the audition and rehearsal process which are equally important. Some of these would include character, integrity, and attitude. Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate the ability to take and apply criticism for further personal growth and development, as well as the ability to work as part of a team in collaboration toward a common goal.
The Marching Thunder is a highly visible entity of Marshall University and we hold our member to a high musical and social standard.
Attire
- Black Leotard
- Nude or Tan Tights
- Cougars or Twirling/Dance Shoes (No Tennis Shoes permitted)
- Hair and Makeup did appropriately for Game Day Performances!
To submit a video:
- Record your video. Please note your video should be one continuous shot. Do not edit or stop your video
- Upload your video to YouTube. Be sure to make it unlisted
CThis year’s video audition submission window has closed.
If you have any questions, please contact Kim Maynard- 304-634-4222 or Adam Chapman- 606-465-1356.
All Candidates for Majorette or Feature Twirler must be in good academic standing with the University. All candidates must be in good financial standing with the University Bands and Marshall University (per university policy), including taking care of all uniform fees, equipment fees, class fees or other charges incurred with membership.
Majorettes are required to attend all summer and fall practices. Summer practices run on Saturday or Sunday. A schedule will be made available the day of auditions for summer practices. Fall practices occur during class (MUS 266) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall semester from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Majorette sectionals after Friday rehearsals can run about 3 hours in preparation for Saturday performances. Candidates are required to attend all performances scheduled with the Marshall University Marching Thunder.
All incoming Marshall University Majorettes and Feature Twirlers must be registered for MUS 266.
- All Candidates for Majorette or Feature Twirler must be in good academic standing with the University. All candidates must be in good financial standing with the University Bands and Marshall University, including taking care of all uniform fees, equipment fees, class fees or other charges incurred with membership.
- Majorettes are required to attend all summer and fall practices. Summer practices run on Saturday or Sunday. A schedule will be made on the day of auditions for summer practices. Fall practices occur during class (MUS 266) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the fall semester from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Majorette practice on Friday during the fall semester tend to run late; in preparation for Saturday performances. Candidates are required to attend all performances scheduled with the Marshall University Marching Thunder.
- All incoming Marshall University Majorettes and Feature Twirlers must be registered for MUS 266.
If you have any questions, please contact Kim Maynard- 304-634-4222 or Adam Chapman- 606-465-1356
2022 Majorette Captains
Catherine Blankenship – Captain
Savannah Rose – Captain
Azreah Groves – Co-Captain
Sydney Moore – Co-Captain
