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Sotto Voce · 01-23-2007, 11:37 PM

Well, if it will help, I'll offer my experience (although short!) to anyone interested.

We arrived at around 7:15 am at the Marine Barracks Monday morning. Registration began at 7:30 and we were given audition numbers based on our registration order. We were then escorted by members of the band (trumpet players actually) to a main warm-up room. Approximately 8:30 am the first 10 players were given their own private rooms to warm-up in and at 9:00 the audition began. One by one they would usher us to the private practice rooms and then on to one bigger private area immediately before our individual auditions.
For my particular audition I played through 4 of the 6 preliminary excepts before the dreaded, "Thank you!" came from behind the screen. The room we played in was huge and sounded great to me. I'm pretty sure it is the main rehearsal hall for the band. Coincidentally, James said he only played through 4 excerpts before he was told to stop as well.
After every 5-10 auditions, the committee would decide who to advance and one of the men running the audition would let us know as a group who was advancing and then would kindly thank the rest of us for our time and efforts. As far as the rest of the audition process, I don't know because I didn't advance! I know there is an interview to be sure you are qualified to be a part of the military and have no physical limitations. I am pretty sure the second and third rounds are basically the same. Play well and you advance!
Overall it was a very good experience. A well-run audition with helpful people and great players. I am guessing around 70-80 people auditioned, but I'm not sure.
What I'm taking from this is: (based on testimony from players in the band and my own experience)
* The committee is looking for a great sound and solid fundamentals. Don't freak out if you make a mistake.
* The committee is looking for a sound that will match the existing players and blend well with the section. It doesn't mean you are a bad player if you don't advance. I hope!
* A friend in the Air Force band (in DC) took over 30 auditions (8 for the Marine Band alone) before winning the Air Force job. Don't give up!

Anyway, hope this helps. And I hope the Marines don't come looking for me for giving away all their secrets!!

01-23-2007, 11:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sotto Voce Mezzo Piano User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 638	Re: The President's Own Well, if it will help, I'll offer my experience (although short!) to anyone interested. We arrived at around 7:15 am at the Marine Barracks Monday morning. Registration began at 7:30 and we were given audition numbers based on our registration order. We were then escorted by members of the band (trumpet players actually) to a main warm-up room. Approximately 8:30 am the first 10 players were given their own private rooms to warm-up in and at 9:00 the audition began. One by one they would usher us to the private practice rooms and then on to one bigger private area immediately before our individual auditions. For my particular audition I played through 4 of the 6 preliminary excepts before the dreaded, "Thank you!" came from behind the screen. The room we played in was huge and sounded great to me. I'm pretty sure it is the main rehearsal hall for the band. Coincidentally, James said he only played through 4 excerpts before he was told to stop as well. After every 5-10 auditions, the committee would decide who to advance and one of the men running the audition would let us know as a group who was advancing and then would kindly thank the rest of us for our time and efforts. As far as the rest of the audition process, I don't know because I didn't advance! I know there is an interview to be sure you are qualified to be a part of the military and have no physical limitations. I am pretty sure the second and third rounds are basically the same. Play well and you advance! Overall it was a very good experience. A well-run audition with helpful people and great players. I am guessing around 70-80 people auditioned, but I'm not sure. What I'm taking from this is: (based on testimony from players in the band and my own experience) * The committee is looking for a great sound and solid fundamentals. Don't freak out if you make a mistake. * The committee is looking for a sound that will match the existing players and blend well with the section. It doesn't mean you are a bad player if you don't advance. I hope! * A friend in the Air Force band (in DC) took over 30 auditions (8 for the Marine Band alone) before winning the Air Force job. Don't give up! Anyway, hope this helps. And I hope the Marines don't come looking for me for giving away all their secrets!!