Every student desiring to join Myrtle Wavez will be required to complete an audition. There are two ways in which you can complete your audition.
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1. In-Person Audition at one of our camps
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2. Submit an audition Video (Preferably using a YouTube Link)
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There is a one-time audition fee of $40 dollars that can be paid ahead of time in our store or at camp. This fee will be waived for returning students. This will give you access to professional feedback from our staff to help build your skills and begin your journey with our corps.
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The audition process will continue at our in-person camps during the season where you will continue to be evaluated. Students who have a successful audition at our in-person camps or by video submission will be awarded a contract for the 2024-2025 season.
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TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL VIDEO AUDITION:
Introduce yourself, use a metronome, and remain confident at all times even if you make a mistake. Use good posture and find a quiet area to record free from distractions. If able, use a tri-pod stand or have someone else record you. Most importantly STAY POSITIVE and HAVE FUN! We want to see your personality as much as your skills. You may search YouTube for other students auditioning for different drum corps for ideas. Video submissions should be clear and demonstrate the required techniques for the section you are joining provided below.
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BRASS VIDEO AUDITION REQUIRMENTS:
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PLAYING: Students should prepare and play a small 30 second – 1 minute excerpt from three different pieces at varying difficulty levels. These pieces should demonstrate rhythmic ability, dynamic control, various articulation styles, slur and legato expressions.
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For Example: You may play a section from a March, Ballad, Jazz tune, or use a Brass Method Book characteristic example. If you need help selecting, you may contact us for help and we will put you in touch with our brass staff.
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MARCHING: Left Foot Step Off. Students should record and demonstrate forward and backward marching using 16 steps to 5 yards (16 to 5) and 8 steps to 5 yards (8 to 5) at tempos between 60bpm-80bpm and 80bpm-120bpm on a metronome. Students may also include a jazz run at 4 steps to 5 yards (4 to 5) but it is not required.
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Students should also demonstrate slide techniques by doing a simple box drill. 8 forward, 8 left, 8 backwards, 8 right, and 8 forward halt (stop). Two different tempos should be performed between 60-80bpm and 80-120bmp.
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FRONT ENSEMBLE VIDEO AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
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Pit players should choose at least three small excerpts 30 seconds – 1 minute in length that demonstrate two mallet and four mallet abilities. Students should play two major scales and two minor scales alternating hands between 60-100bpm. You may also demonstrate different cymbal articulations such as splash, rolls, and staccatos.
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PERCUSSION VIDEO AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
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PLAYING: Percussion should demonstrate a variety of rudiments in the open, closed, open format. Tempos should start slowly, accelerando, and gradually ritardando, while staying even and controlled throughout. Percussionists should play a solo excerpt 30 seconds-1 minute in length that demonstrates different stick heights and dynamic phrasing using the outer edges of the drum to the center most part of the drum. Rim shots, stick tricks, and use of side of drum are optional. We are more interested in seeing your technique when playing. Students should use traditional grip.
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MARCHING: Percussion should demonstrate a low mark time, forward marching, backward marching and left to right slides (crab march) at two varying tempos 60-80bpm and between 80-120bpm
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COLORGUARD VIDEO AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
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Students interested in joining the colorguard should demonstrate their abilities on flag, rifle, and sabre. Choreography is encouraged with your video submission and should be between 30 seconds-1 minute in length but may be longer for each piece of equipment. You may use background music or choose to have none. You should demonstrate drop spins and tosses in the stationary position with each piece of equipment. You may choose your level of comfort for tosses but should aim to achieve at least a quad on rifle and sabre. Flag tosses should be single tosses, 45 degree tosses, and parallel toss. You may also include in trick tosses that you may know with each piece of equipment.