Contact us to schedule an audition for your school or for a personal audition:
Band Business/Office Manager at marchingstorm@pvamu.edu
Phone: 936-261-3315
Auditions will be held on and off-campus. For audition on campus, new students should introduce themselves at the band office, 1F168 Hobart Taylor Hall. They will then be directed to the location for the audition. The head Marching Band Director or any of the assistant directors may perform auditions. Prospective students may schedule an on-campus audition by calling the Marching Band office at 936-261-3315. Off-campus auditions will be held in various cities and at various schools during recruitment visits and ensemble performances.
Guard/Flag Corp. - Twirling Thunder Auditions
Audition Eligibility
All candidates must be accepted to Prairie View A&M prior to the audition. If a candidate has not applied, they should do so immediately. Applications can be completed online at The Undergraduate Admissions website. Note that candidates’ admission to Prairie View A&M University will be verified prior to the audition. A candidate who is a current University student must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater. All candidates should be aware that Mini Camp will be held. All parts of Minicamp are mandatory should a candidate be chosen as part of the Twirling Thunder.
Audition Details
Results will be posted within 24 hours of the actual auditions.
*Students auditioning should bring a sack lunch or healthy snacks Sunday to eat while waiting their turn to audition.
Audition Format
The auditions will be organized and scored in the following sections:
Basic Skills and Travel Technique
Demonstrated in small groups (see “Basics and Travel” below)
Group Routines
Candidates will be taught a brief routine at the audition, which will be performed in small groups. Candidates will be judged on their ability to learn choreography quickly, ability to memorize/retain, overall ability to perform in a group, technique and execution, and overall performance and showmanship.
Stands
Candidate's ability to perform while attending to the details of the stands that are thrown.
Basics and Travel
Basic technique and travel fundamentals will be demonstrated in brief combinations consisting of the elements listed below. Candidates will be judged on overall skill proficiency, execution, and body placement/control.
*NOTE: Fundamentals videos are being updated and should be available by March 1st.
Drop Spins, Double Time, Cones, Singles, 45 Toss, Flat Toss
Travel: Toe-Down Marching, 90’s, Jazz Runs
Stands: Swamp, Neck
Attire
Audition attire is as follows: black leotards or form-fitted shirt (style optional), black pants, and jazz shoes or dance sneakers. No boots or character shoes may be worn. “Hot shorts,” not Soffle shorts or any other athletic shorts, may be worn during the individual routine portion of the auditions only. They may not be worn at any other time before or after the individual routine performance.
Hair, make-up, and accessories should be worn as the candidate feels is most appropriate for a performance with the Twirling Thunder
For the Audition Clinic (Saturday), candidates should wear appropriate, comfortable clothing and suitable footwear (e.g. jazz shoes, dance sneakers, tennis shoes).
Equipment will be provided.
Audition Application
In order to participate in the auditions, candidates complete the online application and submit a $25 application fee. The link to pay the fee is also located at the end of the application.
Marching Storm Wind Instrumentalist Audition Requirements are as follows:
All Brass and Woodwind Instrumentalists should be prepared to perform:
1. All 12 major scales (Concert C,F,Bb,Eb,Ab,Db,Gb B,E,A,D,G).
2. Chromatic Scale from the lowest pitch up to a minimum of two octaves.
3. Prepared piece (Solo or technical study/etude)
4. Sight Read Material to demonstrate proficiency at music reading
All Percussionists:
1. 40 Basic Rudiments
2. Ability to Sight-read basic rhythms
3. Solo material for snare drum and mallet percussion
4. Be able to read multi-meter music and perform in various time signatures.
Contact the Business/Office Manager at marchingstorm@pvamu.edu to schedule an audition for your school or for a personal audition. We can also be reached at 936-261-3315. Follow us on Instagram @PV_MSD.