Snare, Tenor, Bass Drum Marching Audition Video Guidelines
Snare, Tenor, Bass Drum Marching Audition (March and Play):
VIDEO INTENT: The intent of this video is to show your ability to march and play music at the same time, and offer an indication of your posture and carriage while marching.
VIDEO CONTENT: 3 segments
- Introduction: At the start of the video, announce your full name, high school, city, and state.
- Performance Video—From the Front: Following the self-introduction, immediately start your marching audition facing the camera, playing the music and marching the routine outlined below, at the same time. Though the video is required to be one take, record many takes and select the best take as your audition.
- Performance Video—From the Side: Reset and record the same routine and music a second time showing a view from your right side.
AUDITION INSTRUMENT: Applicants may audition on snare, multi-tenor drum or bass drum.
MUSIC TO MARCH TO: Applicants should only use the All-American Marching Audition music from the MENC Web site to march to. Use the music of the instrument for which you are auditioning. No other music should be used. Submit your best take of a “start-to-finish” recording of playing and marching the music at the same time. This segment should be a live performance and not overdubbed or edited in any way. Music can be found on the MENC Web site at www.menc.org/v/band/u-s-army-all-american-marching-band-audition or by calling MENC at 800-336-3768. Though the video is required to be one take, record many takes and select the best take as your audition.
MARCHING STYLE: Drum Corps style is used in the All-American Marching Band (roll step, no high leg lift). It is understood that there are many effective marching styles, but for consistency of appearance, the style to be used is Drum Corps.
VIDEO LOCATION: This marching segment can be recorded inside or outside.
ROUTINE: Begin at ‘Parade Rest.’ Snap to ‘Attention,’ and snap to ‘Sticks ready.’ Mark time for 8 counts and step off playing the excerpt. On step-off, march forward 8, crab left for 8 (drum front), backstep for 8, crab right for 8, halt and play to end, finishing with sticks together, parade rest. Step size should be 22 ½ inch standard step and should remain consistent.
ADJUDICATION: Judges will consider marching control, style, consistency, musicality, carriage, and the ability to march and play at the same time.
VIDEO UPLOAD: Go to http://aamb.opusevent.com and click "New User" to create your application and upload your audition videos.
Video Production Tips
Camera Distance: Back your camera up enough to show entire body throughout marching audition. Face the camera during self-introduction and while playing.
Video Format: wmv, avi, mov, mpg, mpeg, and mp4 formats are acceptable.
File size restriction for uploading video: Video compression rates should be roughly 9 seconds per 1 MB. If your file is larger than 100 MB, then you should open it in your video editing software and export it to a new, compressed file with one of the accepted formats and a higher compression setting.
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