Participation Grants & Auditions

For acceptance into Band & Orchestra and Guard, including grant consideration, we encourage you to submit a video audition or arrange an in-person audition. All students must complete an informal audition and interview to be part of the program. We accept in-person and video auditions. Don’t let the word audition scare you. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you, and for you to learn more about our program. If you are signing up for an in-person audition, your meeting will be part of that audition process. If you submit electronically, we will follow up with a Zoom call for the meeting portion of the audition. Parents are welcome to attend auditions and meetings so we can talk about how Band & Orchestra can be a part of your future!

Auditioning students for woodwind & brass instruments should prepare the following:

  1. Excerpt(s) for your instrument from the PDF linked below.
  2. A piece of your choice that you feel comfortable with.

Auditioning students for orchestral strings, percussion, color guard and feature twirlers should go to the descriptions below for audition guidelines.

Video Auditions

Auditions, both in-person or video, are for placement in the Band & Orchestra and for the associated participation grant. We hope you find the experience of creating your video both fun and exciting! We look forward to viewing an audition piece that you feel best demonstrates your abilities, and experiences.

Speak clearly and include:

  • Your full name and instrument (if you play other instruments, include this also), where you’re from, and current playing experience.
  • The undergraduate degree program for which you are applying or have been accepted to at SHU.
  • Announce each piece you will be playing.
  • The audition should be in one continuous video.

When your video is ready:

  • Upload it to YouTube.
  • Mark the video as Unlisted.
  • Email the link to bandorchestra@sacredheart.edu. The staff will review the video and will then set up a video chat to discuss the program and answer any questions you may have.
  • Audition Material
  • A piece (of your choosing) that best demonstrates your ability both in technical and lyrical playing.

Orchestral strings students should perform a piece of their choosing that best demonstrates their ability level. The below pieces are not required, but are provided merely as options if auditioning students don't have anything else to prepare.

Violin

Viola

Cello

Bass

All percussionists should play the below required piece as well as a piece of your choosing. It should be something that you're comfortable with. It could be from your high school band, another audition, or really anything. We just want to hear you play something that you're comfortable with. You're welcome to play multiple areas, if you wish. Please communicate which instrument you will be playing ahead of time with the staff so that they can have the appropriate instruments ready for you.

We realize that percussionists may not have access to much of their equipment if schools are closed. We are able to work with whatever you can prepare. Contact Andy Kolar to discuss options.

Required Excerpts

Categories for the piece of your choosing:

  • Snare Drum: Show demonstrate rudiments, rolls, or other basic concepts. 
  • Mallet Percussion: 2 mallet or 4 mallet
  • Timpani: Use at least 2 drums
  • Drumset: Play a few bars of several styles. (Fast Rock, Slow Rock, Funk, Shuffle, Jazz)
  • Hand Percussion: Congas, Djembe, Pandeiro
  • Marching Percussion: Snare, Quads, Bass
  • Two pieces of contrasting styles
  • They can be pieces that you have played previously for another ensemble or something that you learn for this audition. We just want to hear something that you’re comfortable with.

We're looking for basic spinning and tossing techniques. The fancy and flashy stuff can be taught but fundamentals are very important. We understand that different programs have different names for techniques, so just do your best if you don't know the below terms. Weapon experience is not required, but we do use both rifle and sabre.

Flag

  • Half, Whole, and 1.5 Tosses
  • Parallel Tosses
  • 45 Tosses
  • Right & Left Drop Spins
  • Pole Hits

Weapon

  • Right & Left Spins
  • Left Hand Tosses up to 5s
  • Blade Tosses on Sabre up to Triples
  • Spins & Stops

Dance

  • Basic Dance & Movement Skills

It would be nice to see spinning skills in context of a part of a routine or show. It could be written for this audition specifically or it could be part of a past show. It should incorporate dance & spinning skills. Due to sharing space with other groups on campus, music cannot be used for auditions. Students should also wear something that can allow adequate movement to demonstrate  dance and movement skill.

We would like to see a brief routine that best demonstrates your abilities. We are looking for consistency in twirling and dance technique, although having a dance background is not required. Hair should be pulled back as it would be for a show or competitive performance and twirlers should demonstrate good showmanship and be proficient in one and two baton, and be able to do simple three baton juggles. Due to sharing space with other groups on campus, music cannot be used for in-person auditions. However, music may be included for auditions submitted via video. The below techniques should be represented in the routine.

One Baton

  • Basic elbow rolls 
  • Vertical three spin caught right or left
  • Vertical toss illusion
  • Finger twirls
  • Horizontal two spin
  • Any impressive field trick (high toss w kick, illusion, gymnastic)
  • Proficient with left and right hand

Two Baton

  • Basic two baton juggles
  • Basic horizontal/vertical combos
  • High/low combos

Three Baton

  • At least four consistent three baton juggles

Dance/Body Movements

  • At least 1-2 forms of leaps - forward/standard leaps (left or right), side leaps, ring leaps, switch leaps, etc.
  • Any form of leghold
  • Any form of layback
  • Gymnastics preferred - cartwheel, walkover, other