UToledo Band Program

Step 1 - Register

If you are planning on auditioning for the drumline, register by filling out the form at the link below. You will receive an email reply within a few days containing all of the audition materials.

• Audition Registration and Materials Request

Step 2 - Practice

Learn and practice the exercises and music required for the auditions. Use a metronome and start slow. Prioritize rhythmic accuracy, staying in time with the metronome, quality of sound, and proper dynamic levels. If you are unsure about something, email questions to the UT Drumline Instructor to make sure you are learning parts correctly.

Snare Drum

• All variations
• 120 bpm
• Start with stock variation at forte
• Crescendo/decrescendo variations go between forte and piano
• Use forte for accent heights and piano for tap heights
• Play the 8/16 Rolls variation at forte
• One measure rest between variations

• Use written dynamics
• 92 bpm
• Measure 9 accents at fortissimo

• All variations
• 16th notes at 100 bpm
• Triplets at 120 bpm
• Each pattern can end with a release note and restart the next check pattern after a few counts or go right into the next check pattern (either way is fine)
• Play timing grids at forte
• Play accent grids with piano taps and forte accents
• Play drag grids at piano

• Use written dynamics
• 140 bpm
• Strict stick height interpretation

Tenors/Quads

• All variations
• 120 bpm
• Start with stock variation at forte
• Crescendo/decrescendo variations go between forte and piano
• Use forte for accent heights and piano for tap heights
• Play the 8/16 Rolls variation at forte
• One measure rest between variations
• Play each voicing pattern on the stock variation and crescendo/decrescendo variations
• Use drum 2 for all other variations

• Use written dynamics and voicing
• 92 bpm
• Measure 9 accents at fortissimo

• All variations
• 16th notes at 100 bpm
• Triplets at 120 bpm
• Each pattern can end with a release note and restart the next check pattern after a few counts or go right into the next check pattern (either way is fine)
• Play timing grids at forte
• Play accent grids with piano taps and forte accents
• Play drag grids at piano
• Play all on drum 2

• Use written dynamics and voicing
• 140 bpm
• Strict stick height interpretation

Bass Drum

• All variations
• 120 bpm
• Start with stock variation at forte
• Crescendo/decrescendo variations go between forte and piano
• Use forte for accent heights and piano for tap heights
• Play the 8/16 Rolls variation at forte
• One measure rest between variations
• Play through the split part using the bass #2 line with ones/twos/threes/fours on the stock variation
• Play the unison part for all other variations

• Use written dynamics
• 92 bpm
• X means rim click
• Play the split using the bass #2 line

• All variations
• 16th notes at 100 bpm
• Triplets at 120 bpm
• Each pattern can end with a release note and restart the next check pattern after a few counts or go right into the next check pattern (either way is fine)
• Play timing grids at forte
• Play accent grids with piano taps and forte accents
• Play drag grids at piano
• Play all as a unison part

• Use written dynamics
• 140 bpm
• Strict stick height interpretation
• Play bass #2 line

Cymbals

• 120 bpm
• Forte dynamic level
• Play pattern 1 with crashes/crash chokes/punches/flips
• Play pattern 2 with a note on beat 1 of the first measure and move the note over one eighth note every measure using the high-hat sound

• Use written dynamics
• 92 bpm
• Play the ALL and cymbal 1 parts
• X means high-hat
• Z means sizzle or slide

• Use written dynamics
• 92 bpm
• Play all as unison
• Rest during measure 15
• Rest during beats 3 and 4 of measure 16

Step 1 - Record

If you were unable to attend our spring clinics, please record a preview video to submit prior to the first audition date you attend. We prefer to see you playing on an actual instrument, but if none are available to you, a practice pad is acceptable.

The video should clearly show your hands and instrument, of course, but please make sure to also have your face and feet visible. We will be watching for proper marking time while playing. Your metronome should be audible to you and the camera recording the video, and you may read from music while you play. Remember, this is your chance to show off what you can do!

Keep recording everything you play because you can go back and edit later. The best strategy is to record many reps of each item and then select the best reps to submit. Your video does not have to be done in a single take.

If you wish to audition on multiple instruments, please submit a video for each one.

Step 2 - Upload

Videos should be uploaded to YouTube with the visibility set to unlisted. YouTube's tools allow you to cut, edit, and splice video clips if needed. A single video link containing all of your best reps is preferred, but multiple videos is fine too.

Step 3 - Double Check

Watch your own completed video. Make sure that it satisfies the requirements, that you are clearly visible, that the metronome is audible, that you are marking time, that you have played all of the right parts, and that the recording quality is good.

Step 4 - Submit

Use the video submission form to send us your videos. Make sure you have the right YouTube links. If you have a problem, please email the UT Drumline Instructor.

Some Tips

• Use good lighting. Put the camera between you and the light source so that you are illuminated in the frame.
• Use good sticks. Poor quality or broken sticks will affect your sound quality and hand-to-hand consistency.
• Don't use your recording device as your metronome. It will be difficult to get the sound to balance properly if you use your phone as your camera and metronome, for example. A separate speaker would be better.
• You can use your phone, your computer, or YouTube's free tools to cut and paste your video segments together.
• Don't wait until the last minute to learn, record, and upload your videos.