IWU Marching Wildcats

Audition Procedures 

Music Majors

All music majors will go through the regular audition procedure by March 1, 2021.

Non-Music Majors

All other majors will use the following audition procedure by April 15, 2021:

Brass & Woodwind Requirements (those receiving scholarships will need to be a part of the wind ensemble or concert band when marching band is not in session.)

• 2 major scales (Student’s choice. 2 octaves where appropriate.)
• A chromatic scale
• A 1-2 minute prepared piece that demonstrates your best qualities as a musician
  • Feel free to play what you have prepared for Solo and Ensemble Festivals.

Percussion Requirements (drumline will begin during the 2020-2021 school year; those receiving scholarships will need to be a part of percussion ensemble, wind ensemble or concert band when marching band is not in session.)

• Snare drum
  • 5 rudiments (student’s choice. Open-closed-open)
  • Long roll
  • A 1-2 minute prepared piece (on concert or marching snare) that demonstrates your best qualities as a musician
• Mallet Percussion
  • Same as Brass & Woodwind requirements
• Toms players should audition on snare or play a timpani solo/etude.
• Bass Drummers should select an area from above, but please mention in your video that you are interested in bass drum.

Auxiliary Auditions

To audition for the color guard, you will be expected to demonstrate the following:
1.) 100 Drop Spins
2.) Demonstrate all of the tosses you know.
3.) Perform 32-64 counts of work.  This can be any work from a previous marching band show, winter-guard show, or something you create yourself.
4.) Learn the routine to the IWU Fight Song.

Please watch the following video for an explanation of requirements and a step-by-step demonstration of the routine to the IWU Fight Song.

Off-Campus Auditions

If you cannot set up an audition on campus, we ask you to make a recording of the requirements above and follow this procedure:

• Upload the finished video to YouTube as an UNLISTED video. By doing this no one can see the video with the exception of whoever has access to the link. Copy and paste the entire URL (the YouTube web address) from the address bar to the box below labeled “Video URL.” We will correspond with you promptly regarding your entrance into our band program after we have reviewed your completed video.
• The final step, your Scholarship/Commitment agreement, will be assigned accordingly following your audition video submission.
• Students may only submit one video. If you are not selected during the audition process to participate in the marching band and wish to discuss your audition further, please contact Briana Blankenship, Director of Athletic Bands (briana.blankenship@indwes.edu).
• To create a YouTube Account and Upload Your Video:
  1. To begin, click “Sign In” on the YouTube homepage in the upper right corner.
  2. Select the option to “Create An Account”
  3. You will need to establish a Google account, if you already have a Google email you can use that email as your username.
  4. Fill in the required information to finalize your YouTube account.
  5. Once your account has been set up and you are logged in, select the “Upload” button on the YouTube homepage, located to the right of the search engine.
  6. Select the Arrow to upload your video.
     • There will be a drop-down menu with options to make the video Public, Unlisted, or Private. Select the option for UNLISTED (this ensures that only those who have the link can view the video). 

1. Title the video with your Name (i.e. John Smith Marching Band Audition)
2. Copy and paste the entire URL (the YouTube web address) from the address bar to the box labeled “Video URL” on the Application/Audition page (you will need to log-in to this link again exactly as you did previously for the Application portion

Preparing Space for Our Marching Wildcats

A glimpse of how the new Marching Band Practice Facility is progressing with new Color Guard (left) and Instrumental (right) rehearsal spaces!

IWU Marching Wildcats FAQ

Please contact Director of Athletic Bands, Briana Blankenship, at briana.blankenship@indwes.edu if you have any questions.