Marching Band Audition Day

The Merrimack College Marching Band is a one-credit performance ensemble that will rehearse throughout the school year. Skill level, experience, attitude and enthusiasm will all play a role in the success of the group. 

Through our admission process, we offer marching band scholarships for talented musicians based upon their musical ability and the needs of our band program. Scholarship auditions will be held as part of the admissions process. The purpose of this audition/interview is to assess musical experience and leadership skills in order to best serve the needs of this ensemble. 

Auditions whether in-person or virtual will consist of:

Brass & Woodwind, Keyboard Percussion & Guitar

Scales:

• Play two major scales of your choice, up and down for two octaves.
• Play the Chromatic Scale, up and down for two octaves.

Prepared Piece: 

• Play an excerpt of a solo of your choosing (this could even be something from band class) that is at least 30 seconds long, and no longer than a minute.

Unpitched Percussion/Drums

Rudiments:

• Prepare and demonstrate 3 rudiments from the 26 standard American Rudiments.

Prepared Piece: 

• Play an excerpt of a solo of your choosing (this could even be something from band class) for either snare, tenor drums, or drumset. 

Color Guard

• Complete 16 drop spins on each side

Tosses:

• Please perform a pop toss, a J toss with any prep, and a 45 if possible.

Choreography:

• Please show roughly 20 counts of any choreography that you feel shows off your range of skills.

Please select an audition time from the list below.

After your audition, you are welcome to join the current marching band students for a casual dinner, followed by a Merrimack Men's Ice Hockey game. You will have the option to play with the marching band or attend as a spectator to see our band (and DI Warriors) in action!