Audition Information

Longhorn Band Auditions

Membership in the Longhorn Band is determined by TWO auditions. The first is a preliminary playing audition performed for the directors. (Music Majors - acceptance to the School of Music serves as your preliminary audition. However, you must still submit a Prospective Member Audition Form, downloadable in Microsoft Word or PDF format.) Once the preliminary playing audition (wind) or color guard audition is passed, the applicant will be invited via mail to join us for "Band Week" - the week prior to the start of the fall semester. Here they will learn the Longhorn Band marching style and participate in a final marching/playing audition. After passing both auditions, the prospective member is admitted to the marching band program.

Wind Preliminary Audition:

  1. All 12 major scales
  2. Full-range chromatic scale
  3. One brief lyrical excerpt
  4. One brief technical excerpt

Color Guard Preliminary Audition:

  • Submit a video (VHS or DVD) of a one minute flag routine to music of your choosing. The routine should incorporate tosses, dance, and exploration of different planes.

Percussion Audition:

  • Although a preliminary audition is not required of percussionists, every prospective drumline member must attend at least one drumline clinic in order to fulfill the pre-audition requirement and get invited to Band Week. For the best interest of the prospective member, it is recommended that they attend all three clinics. These clinics will provide the opportunity to prepare for the drum line audition, which is held the first day of Band Week in August.
  • Download the Longhorn Band Drumline Handbook.

The Marching Audition:

  • Participation in all Band Week instruction is required. This takes place during the week before fall classes begin. Everything you need to know about the Longhorn Band marching style is taught during this intensive period of instruction. In addition, several optional marching clinics are offered on selected Saturdays during the summer months.
Longhorn Band - Texas Traditions

Live Audition Dates for 2008:

  • Saturday, April 26, 2008
  • Saturday, May 24, 2008 (TSSEC)
  • Monday, May 26, 2008 (TSSEC)
  • Saturday, June 7, 2008
  • Saturday, July 12, 2008
  • Saturday, July 26, 2008

Auditions are held on the above dates from 10 a.m. until noon in the Longhorn Band Hall. It is not necessary to call and make a specific audition time for these days. Accompanists are not needed.

During these auditions, a number of Longhorn Band students will be available to answer questions, and to take prospective members on a tour of our facilities.

Deadline for 2008 Longhorn Band auditions is August 8, 2008!

Any prospective member who is unable to travel to Austin for their playing audition should send a recording (tape or CD for winds; VHS tape or DVD for Color Guard audition). This recording must be received by the Band Office no later than August 8, 2008. Please be sure to enclose a Prospective Member Audition Form with your recording and mail to the following address:

The University of Texas at Austin
University Bands
1 University Station E3102
Austin, Texas 78712-0436

To obtain an audition form you may:

  1. E-mail LHB Information. Please be sure to include your full mailing address in order to receive an audition form. We cannot send audition forms through e-mail.
  2. Call the Longhorn Band Office: (512) 471-4093
  3. Download a Word document or PDF of the Audition Form to be printed and mailed to the above address.

Feature Twirler Auditions

Timeline:

(Timeline Information Coming Soon)

Details:

  • The application, resume, and videotape:

    The videotape must be in VHS or DVD format and contain a clear image and high quality audio of the candidate's live performance. The letters of reference should address issues of personal integrity, work ethic, ability to work with others, and performance level. The Directors of the Longhorn Band will evaluate these materials.

  • Invitation for live audition:

    Following the completion of the above process all finalists will be contacted (no later than the first Monday in March) to attend a live audition and interview to be held on the third Saturday in April. This should allow the finalists ample time to arrange travel plans as well as prepare a suitable audition program.

  • Finalists:

    Finalists will be mailed a recording of three compositions recorded by the Longhorn Band in recent years. Each finalist is charged with choreographing routines to each work. We request that the routines for the first and third works ONLY use batons and all extra (trick) equipment be used in the second routine.

    The Directors of the Longhorn Band and one outside expert will adjudicate the finalists. The performances will be judged on creativity, technique, poise, confidence, and execution.

    Following all performances, each finalist will have a 15-minute interview with the Directors. Questions in the interview will revolve around the candidates' philosophy, personal traits and integrity, work ethic, and attitude. The Directors reserve the right to decline naming a feature twirler when none meet acceptable standards based upon the live audition and interview.

  • Announcement:

    The new Feature Twirler for the Longhorn Band will be announced the week following all finalists' audition/interview.