University Band (UB)

Live auditions will be held in the Department of Fine Arts by appointment and at the selected schools with the permission of the principal and band director. Taped auditions will be accepted at any time. Those persons who are interested in being considered for financial assistance through the Department of Fine Arts should audition as soon as possible. The following are audition requirements for band instruments:

1. Wind instruments (trumpet, clarinet, etc.), guitar, piano, bass, melodic percussion and timpani, please prepare solo literature you feel will best exhibit your technique and musicianship. Also be prepared to play all major scales at MM=80 and sight read.
2. For percussion auditions, you must know the following:
             I. Rudiments
                    
                    Snare drum/quads/quints:
                                 PAS 40 International Drum Rudiments
                                              http://www.pas.org/Resources/rudiments.cfm.
                    
                    Bass Drum and Tenor Drum:
                                 The N.A.R.D. 26 American Drum Rudiments
                                             

                                 1^st 13 & 2^nd 13 rudiments:

                                        http://www.vboda.org/AllVa/Auditions/PercRudiment/26Rudiments/26 Drum Rudiments.htm

    
                   
                    Cymbals:
                                 The 1st 13 rudiments from the NARD list
             
              II. Prepared (written) solo on snare drum
             
              III. Sightreading
                   
   If you play mallet percussion, timpani, etc.; it would be to your benefit to prepare a piece on those instruments as well.
   Percussion auditions can be live or video taped. If you do choose to send a tape, be sure to adequately and thoroughly demonstrate your skills as we will not have an opportunity to hear you sightread or ask you any questions.
   
   General considerations for all auditionees:
   
   The earlier you audition, the better your chances are for being awarded financial assistance through the band. Please be aware that any financial aid recipient at Texas Southern University must have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA; http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/) in addition to all general application and financial aid applications required by the university (all of this can be found at http://em.tsu.edu)
   
   Please also be aware that as part of the scholarship allocation process, we do periodic checks to see who has actually begun the application process to the university.

University Jazz Combo (UJ01)
Auditions Requirements - TBA - Dr. Howard Harris, (713) 313-7316
A limited number of Jazz band grants will be awarded on the basis of a) departmental need b) the ability of the student and c) the availability of funds.

Big Band Auditions
Enroll in Jazz Band (UJ02)

1. Melodic Instruments - (wind, piano, Vocalist, Guitar and Bass) Play (sing) the the melodic line of any jazz work which best shows yours interpretation.
2. Sight Read - Jazz Literature
3. Rhythm Section - Play "Time" in three of the following four idioms: Swing, Latin, Funk (Fusion or Rock) and Jazz waltz Drummers play solo work in the following continuous format:
4. 8 bars time 8 bars solo
   4 bars time 4 bars solo
   2 bars time 2 bars solo

Drummers may choose the style (swing, funk, etc.) that they wish to play for solo work. For additional information, please contact:

Dr. Howard Harris
Dept. of Fine Arts
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne Street
Houston, TX, 77004
Phone: (713) 313-7316

Private Instruction
Private instruction is available for all instruments for one or two semester hours of credit. Instruction is offered for levels of ability from beginning through advanced. For information contact the Department of Fine Arts.

Feature Twirlers Audition Requirements

Potential candidates for auditions, twirlers are required to perform a 1 1/2 minute individual routine to their own music. The candidate may include one, two and three batons. It also may include a prop. Fire batons and knives are not permitted during try-outs.

The judges look for appearance, grace, sharpness, and at least an intermediate level of twirling.

Feature Twirler Applicants are required to perform the following skills:

        * 2-spins or higher
          * Toss Illusion
          * Toss Reverse Illusion
          * High toss cartwheel and/or High toss walkover
          * Split right and/or left
          * Hitch kick
          * 2-baton /3-baton

Double Illusions or Roll Series and other advanced abilities are considered.

Applicants are also judged on:

         * appearance
         * showmanship
         * foot work
         * marching (where appropriate)
         * personality projection
         * fitness level

TSU Feature Twirlers will perform at half-time at all football games and also participate in parades and exhibition performances. Twirlers are encouraged to perform with one, two and three batons, fire, and hoop batons & twirling knives

COLOR GUARD (FLAG) AND MAJORETTE (DANCER) AUDITIONS

Auditionees unable to make the March Workshop and Live Audition may tryout during the Annual Band Leadership Camp held July 15-20, 2007. There is a fee for this camp. Please see band leadership camp information updates.

1. Auditionees will be required to create an original routine consisting of eight (8) counts of eight (8) beats. Ex. 1,2,3,4,...8; 2,2,3,4,...8; 3,2,3,4,...8, etc. Each auditionee is required to provide a cassette recording of music for her performance.
   
2. The following executions are required in each of the original routines:
                   Color Guard (Flag)
                            1. Drop Spin
                            2. Butterfly
                            3. Windmill
                   Majorette (Dancer)
                            1. Pirouette Turn
                            2. Split
                            3. Hitch Kick
   Each auditionee will be TAUGHT a routine consisting of four (4) counts of eight (8) beats by a person(s) designated by the Director of Bands.
3. Each auditionee will be required to CREATE a routine consisting of four (4) counts of eight (8) beats IN A GROUP SETTING. Groups will be assigned by the Director of Bands or a designee.
4. Each candidate will be judged in each of these categories:
5. Original Routine - 30 points
   General Appearance - 30 points
   Group Routine - 40 pointsEach candidate is required to score an average of 70 points to be CONSIDERED for either squad.

All routines will be taught by person(s) selected by the Director of Bands beginning ONE (1) WEEK prior to the audition date.  For additional information please contact:

Ms. Marbre Dunhamn-Hunter
Office Coordinator
3100 Cleburne Street, Box 1930
Houston, Texas 77004
(713) 313-7336 - Office
(713) 313-7539 - FAX