Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band - Auditions

Auditions

Gaining membership in the SMB is highly competitive. Typically, many more incoming students audition than are eventually accepted. However, once accepted, students do not have to reaudition every year (with the exception of the percussion section). Auditions are arranged through the MSU College of Music and occur in June, with results made known at the beginning of July. Music majors may join the band on their primary college of music instrument (brass or saxophone) without this initial audition. For non-music majors or music majors wishing to play a different instrument in marching band, the audition consists of:

• A prepared piece of music typically 1–2 minutes with contrasting styles
• Scales prepared up to four sharps and flats
• Sight-reading

Once accepted into the Spartan Marching Band, members must complete an additional audition on the first day of pre-season rehearsal with the full band in attendance to determine chair and block placement. For example, if there are 60 trumpet players in the section and only 56 members charted in the pregame block, the 56 best trumpets from the audition become members of the pregame block. The 4 extra members will not be included in the block and are known as "alternates." Alternates still have full band privileges and responsibilities and must still memorize the music and drill in case they are needed. Every week, all alternates audition in front of a graduate assistant for both pregame and halftime placement. The winning alternate takes the place of the last place member in the block (known as the "rotating chair"); the person who previously held this rotating chair position then joins the alternate pool for that week.