MUSIC

Your video should be approximately 15 minutes long and should consist of various exercises you are familiar with, as well as performing the materials from the audition packet. We want to see your style and approach to your exercises.

Include a short solo on the instrument(s) of your choice.

Please include a sample of your marching abilities while playing. Marching forward & backward and left crab and right crab.

VISUAL

For your visual audition, please demonstrate the following:

• Tempo changes: Set a metronome to 180 BPM, then march forward at 8 to 5, switching foot speed every 8 counts (8 @ 180 BPM, 8 @ 90 BPM, and so on for 4 reps). Do this a second time, moving backwards.


• Step size changes: Set a metronome to 180 BPM, then march forward 12 steps at 12 to 5, then 6 steps at 6 to 5. Do this 4 times, the 1st and 3rd time at 180 BPM, the 2nd and 4th time at 90 BPM.


• Direction Changes: Do 4 reps of a “zig zag drill” (forward 8, left slide 8, forward 8, right slide 8).
  • First rep - 90 BPM, all front slides
  • Second rep - 180 BPM, all front slides
  • Third rep - 90 BPM, all backslides
  • Fourth rep - 180 BPM all backslides


• Effort changes: Moving only at 180 BPM, move forward 8 to 5 for 8 counts, then jazz run 4 to 5 for 8 counts, then 8 to 5 for 8 counts, then jazz run 4 to 5 for 8 counts.


• Backward motion: Run backwards for 20 yards.


• Body: Do the body segment from this video:

You don’t have to be an alumni of Blue Devils to join BDI, but there are skills that BD alumni will have that will be helpful.

• Technique: We will teach the show in a few days, and then we are off and running. We don’t have a lot of time for training, so it is helpful if you know a technique that is close to the BD style. It doesn’t have to be exactly the same, but some derivative a strait leg style should blend. If you have only used an exaggerated bicycle step, it can be very hard habits to beak.
• Form reading: You need to be able to dress forms and fix with your eyes. In addition to parades and stand still performances, we will do a prepared show for the Tattoo. That will be traditional style drill with some body mixed in, done in a space smaller than a football field. There will not be yard lines or grid marks for those performances, so being comfortable dressing and performing without the aid of yardlines is a must. Most marching groups now use a combination of dot’s and dress and that should prepare you well for this. If you only ever use the Dot system, you could struggle to learn the show, while also learning to dress forms.
• Body Skills: You should have a basic level of modern marching band body skills. Plies, tondus, and lunges. The body won’t be as complex or advanced as what the BD A corps does, but there will be some body basics mixed in with the drill.
• Fitness: If you work out regularly, you should have no problems with the physical requirements. If you do not work out regularly, you should spend some time getting fit before you come out. Once everyone is in town, we will learn the whole show in just a few 12 hour days. You don’t want to be so sore on day two that you struggle to get your body moving. Be honest with yourself about your current fitness level and injuries. A bad back or weak knee isn’t going to get better running around all day. Show up in shape and ready to work.

We are taking auditions for synthesizer, guitar, bass guitar, and drum set.

Your video (or videos) should include all of the audition exercises and selected excerpts included in the audition packet. (Available after registering.)

We are looking for technically strong, professional performers who can successfully work within a talented ensemble and communicate the highest level of the pageantry arts. The most important objective of your audition is to show us what you know. We want to see your skill set as well as your personality.

Please include the following sections in your video. Thanks for taking the time to present your talents and best of luck!

INTRODUCTION

Provide a short introduction of yourself and your experience. This works like a headshot. Let us know your name, where you are from, your age, and include your previous experience.

MOVEMENT

Present a short movement/dance combination. Showcase the style or styles you are comfortable performing. Consider flexibility, kicks, leaps and turns. Show any additional skills you want to be considered (gymnastics, tumbling etc).

EQUIPMENT

We need to see you on all equipment you are comfortable performing. Flag, rifle, and sabre are all acceptable options and there is no requirement to present all three pieces of equipment unless you are comfortable doing so.

You can showcase a short combination on all equipment or present them separately. Remember, we are looking for what you currently know. It’s important to see body and equipment at the same time. Show any additional skills you want to be considered (tricks, rolls etc).