Candidates for the Cornhusker Band's woodwind and brass sections must complete a two-part audition process. The first round is a playing audition (see below). An audition for admission to the School of Music as a music major or minor may also count as a first round marching band audition as long as it is played on the same instrument the student plans to play in marching band. Playing auditions for those not planning to major in music are held in the spring (dates to be announced).
- Candidates should prepare a solo or etude of two to four minutes in length. The choice of music is up to the candidate and should be something that the individual is comfortable playing. Up tempo, technical pieces are better than slow, lyrical pieces.
- Brass and woodwind players must also sight read and play a major scale.
- Students auditioning for piccolo positions may play the first round audition on flute.
- Students auditioning for marching horn, baritone and tuba positions may use their concert instruments for the first round audition.
2010 first round audition dates for brass and woodwind players:
- Saturday, May 8
- Saturday, May 22
- Saturday, June 5
Register for an audition appointment via our on-line form.
Students that live a great distance from Lincoln or whose schedule conflicts with the established audition dates may submit a recorded audition. Recorded auditions must include a solo or etude of two to four minutes in length and a major scale played to the range of the instrument. Students submitting a recorded audition do not need to include sight reading.
Send all recorded auditions to the address below before July 1, 2010.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Bands
101 Westbrook Music Building
Lincoln, NE 68588-0102
Please include your name, address and instrument with the audition recording.
Candidates for the Cornhusker Band's battery and front line percussion sections must complete a two-part audition process. An audition for admission to the School of Music as a music major or minor may also count as a first round marching band audition as long as it is played on the same instrument the student plans to play in marching band. Playing auditions for those not planning to major in music are held in the spring. The first round audition schedule will be announced later in the year.
- Candidates should prepare a solo or etude of two to four minutes in length. The choice of music is up to the candidate and should be something that the individual is comfortable playing.
- Percussion students may choose to participate in an all-day preparatory mini-camp on Saturday, June 5th that also counts as the first round audition. The session is designed to show how the percussion section plays so that candidates will know how to prepare for the second round of auditions. Both new and veteran students are encouraged to attend. No final instrumentation decisions are made during the mini-camp. The Cornhusker Band Percussion Handbook explains the instrument assignment process and contains all of the information candidates need to prepare for the fall marching season. The handbook will be distributed at the mini-camp. It is not available prior to the mini-camp date. The handbook is mailed to successful first round percussion candidates that do not attend the mini-camp.
2010 first round audition dates for percussion players:
- Saturday, May 8
- Saturday, May 22
- Saturday, June 5 (all day percussion mini camp)
Register for an audition appointment via our on-line form.
Color guard students must complete a first round audition in the spring and a second round audition approximately 10 days before the fall semester begins. Color guard candidates are not required to choreograph routines. All on-site audition materials, routines and music are provided and taught by the UNL band staff. Practice time is built into the schedule so that candidates can become familiar with the routines. The routine involves both flag work and dance. Video taped auditions are acceptable if an on-campus audition is impossible. Performance tapes are not accepted for color guard auditions. Please frame the video camera so that both the hands and feet are visible at all times and wear relatively form-fitting clothing so that body moves and position can be adequately evaluated. Please include:
- 16 counts of drop spins with both right and left hand
- 16 counts of double time with both right and left hand
- Two parallel tosses and two 3/4 tosses
- 32 counts of 8 to 5 marching and 16 counts of jazz run
- One 32 count phrase with movements chosen by the candidate
First round color guard audition dates:
- Tuesday, April 6 and Thursday, April 8 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Candidates attend both evening sessions.
- Saturday, June 5 from 9:00 AM to approximately 4:00 PM.
Register for an audition session via our on-line form.
Twirlers are expected to complete a single audition that takes place in the spring. While a video taped audition is acceptable, a live audition is preferred. Elements of the audition include:
- A two to four minute routine utilizing more than one piece of equipment choreographed to the candidate's choice of music
- An impromptu routine that the candidate must choreograph “on the spot” to music chosen by the judges
- A short interview with the panel of judges
We are looking for a twirler that is a versatile and exciting performer with more than one apparatus. We will expect candidates to perform a routine utilizing more than one piece of equipment choreographed to your choice of music. Please vary the equipment among multiple baton, knives, hoops, etc. Fire batons are not allowed on the University campus. We will provide a sound system that can play both tapes and CDs.
Video taped auditions are acceptable if an on-campus audition is impossible. Performance tapes are acceptable for twirler auditions only if it is a solo performance by the candidate. Please frame the video camera so that both the hands and feet are visible at all times and please include the use of more than one apparatus.
2010 twirler auditions are scheduled for Sunday, April 25th from 9:00 AM to noon. Register for the auditions via our on-line form.
Second round auditions are held in August for brass, woodwinds, percussion, and color guard. A detailed marching audition schedule will be mailed in late June to those individuals who have passed the first round audition. Brass and woodwind players must memorize two fight songs (music provided by the band program in June) and complete a group marching audition. The marching routine is taught during a two-day preparatory period prior to the audition.
All members of the Cornhusker Marching Band must be enrolled as full-time students at UNL and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater.
- Concert Ensemble Auditions
- Big Red Express Auditions
- Jazz Ensemble I and II Auditions
- UNL City Campus map
- Download the 2010 audition booklet
