MSU Drumline 2008 Audition Information
After several years of discussion, a front ensemble (pit) will be added
to the marching band for the Fall 2008 season.
See Below for the more information about the new front ensemble and the audition requirements.
NOTICE: It has been brought to my attention that the band office sent out flyers with incorrect drumline audition dates on them. Please ignore the dates on the flyer (May 3, May 24). They are incorrect. The proper audition dates are listed below. Sorry for the confusion.
Please Read:
Tryout Imformation Letter from Dr. Baker
Please Read:
April 19, 2008 Information
Drum Camp Dates Summer 2008
- Drum Camp: Starts Tuesday, August 5 (be moved in by the evening of the 4th)
- Band Camp: Starts Sunday, August 10
- Dorm students: let us know if you need on campus housing for camp
Items of Importance
- If you cannot attend the May 3 audition you MUST contact Dr. Baker by April 26
- If you have a conflict with summer band and drumline camp you must let us know at the
May 3 audition (these will be considered on a case-by-case basis and can affect your
membership)
- You must be academically accepted to Mississippi State University before the May 3
audition in order to be considered for a spot
Contact information:
- Jason Baker, Instructor/Arranger (jbaker@colled.msstate.edu)
- Joseph Mitchell, Section Leader/Snare Captain (jam393@msstate.edu)
- Josh Funderburg, Tenor Captain (msujosh@bellsouth.net)
- Jesse McConahie, Bass Captain (jdm363@msstate.edu)
- Cymbal Captain - TBA
All issues regarding attendance conflicts must be communicated to Dr. Baker,
not the drum captains.
- Placement Audition #1: Saturday,April 19, 2008, Time: (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM), MSU Band Hall
-
The day will consist of students playing in an ensemble setting and receiving feedback
from the faculty and student instructors, allowing students to get the "feel" of
playing in a large college drumline. Technique and playing style will be taught.
Therefore, attendance can serve as a strong positive when final placements are decided.
Students are encouraged to try as many instruments as they would like.
Below is the camp schedule for April 19.
| Time |
What you'll be doing |
| 9:00 |
Registration (New Band Hall) |
| 9:30 |
Meeting, Introductions |
| 9:45 |
Subsectionals (technique overview Single, Double, Triple, 5-7-9) |
| 10:15 |
Roll Sequencing |
| 10:45 |
Flams 06 |
| 11:15 |
Keebler’s Wrath |
| 12:00 |
Lunch |
| 1:30 |
Warm up in subsectionals |
| 1:45 |
Move to ensemble |
| 2:00 |
Ensemble (excerpts of all material covered) |
| 2:45 |
Meeting, go over expectations for next audition and fall season |
| 3:00 |
Done |
-
- Placement Audition #2: Saturday,May 3, 2008, Time: (9:00 AM - 3:00 PM), MSU Band Hall
- Final decisions regarding instrument assignments will be made during this audition.
The morning and first part of the afternoon will be spent setting each section (in
an ensemble playing environment) with the remainder of the day devoted to sectional
and ensemble rehearsal. Attendance is required or you will not recieve a spot on the 2008 drumline.
2008 Downloadable Audition Packets 
Update 05/01/2008: The Audition packets have been updated with the latest revision of Keebler's Wrath.
Front Ensemble Information
After several years of discussion, a front ensemble (pit) will be added to the marching
band for the Fall 2008 season.
We are very excited about this, as it will allow us to expand the role of percussion in the band.
We are going to start with a limited number of instruments and then expand over the coming seasons.
Accordingly, we will offer auditions for this section on May 3rd.
The audition process is intended to be just as competitive as any other section.
We are looking for concert percussionists with serious keyboard/timpani chops.
This is not going to be a place where we just put people who do not make the batterie.
The pit will be put through the same 12 hour days as the rest of the batterie during camp and
will have to learn a large amount of music in a short time.
They will be just as much a part of the MSU Drumline as anyone else.
Here are the audition requirements:
- A four mallet solo of your choice (using either Stevens or Burton grip)
- All major scales
- Sightreading
The schedule for May 3rd will start with snare auditions, then move to tenors, bass, pit,
then cymbals. I encourage all who might be interested to audition for this new section.
Please contact Dr. Jason Baker, Director of Percussion, at (662)-325-0390 or
jbaker@colled.msstate.edu with any questions.
Thank you for your interest in the Mississippi State University Drumline. We look
forward to meeting you!
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