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The Washington Commanders Marching Band will be holding open auditions for the 2024 season on April 6 and April 7. Each audition day will include first round morning music auditions, followed by second round afternoon marching auditions for those who pass the first round music audition.

Saturday, April 6, 2024 – Percussion and Winds

OR

Sunday, April 7, 2024 – Winds only

Time and Location:

Music Auditions (8am-12pm, last walk in accepted at 11:45am each day):

Prince George's Community College - Main Campus

Dr. Charlene Dukes Student Center

301 Largo Rd, Largo, MD 20774

PARKING: Lot J or Lot B, accessible from Prince Pl

Marching Auditions (2pm):

Prince George Sports and Learning Complex Athletic Field

8001 Sheriff Rd, Landover, MD 20785

PARKING: park in Commanders Field Red Zone Lot via Hill Oaks Rd, then walk on sidewalk toward field

Venue and Parking Maps: http://tinyurl.com/2024auditionlocation

Instrument Openings for 2024

Alto saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Mellophone, Baritone, Sousaphone,

Snare drum, Bass drum, Tenor drums, Cymbals, Drumset

Audition Information

Wind players may choose to audition on Saturday or Sunday. Percussion players must audition on Saturday. Applicants are encouraged (but not required) to pre-register at the following link (link: https://commanders-jktbm.formstack.com/forms/marchingbandauditions2024). Individuals may audition on multiple instruments.

Each audition day will consist of an open blind morning music audition where musicians are seen in order of arrival (last walk in accepted at 11:45am). Musicians who pass the music audition will be invited to the second round marching audition at 2pm.

Video Auditions

Video auditions will be considered in extenuating circumstances. If you would like to submit a video audition, please email marchingband@commanders.com for instructions.

Audition Details

Winds and Brass

Please bring your own instruments and mouthpieces. Musicians should prepare BOTH:

1. Two audition excerpts in full, may be downloaded from this folder: http://tinyurl.com/2024auditionexcerpts

2. A solo excerpt of your own choosing (no longer than 60 seconds). We recommend you select something that shows your strengths as a musician. Please bring two copies of the sheet music of your solo excerpt for the adjudicators.

Percussion

Drumline audition information is available here: http://tinyurl.com/drumlineinfo

Drumline excerpt links may be downloaded from this folder: http://tinyurl.com/2024auditionexcerpts

Musicians should audition for percussion instrument(s) they would like to be considered for. If they are interested in more than one instrument, then a separate audition should be performed for each instrument they wish to be considered for. In case we need to fill out specific battery sections, we may ask if applicants are willing to fill in those spots based on our needs. This would occur after hearing all applicants and after evaluating battery needs. Any "NO" responses will not prevent applicants from being accepted on the originally auditioned-for spot.

Marching

If musicians pass the music portion of the audition, they will be invited to the marching portion. Applicants should be prepared to march outside and wear athletic clothes and shoes.

Commitment and Schedule

Band members are part-time employees of the Washington Commanders and are paid for rehearsals, games, and special appearances (complete schedule to be released once the NFL schedule is released in May). As paid employees, musicians are expected to meet standards of musical excellence and professional etiquette including preparedness, timeliness, and communication. Musicians who are accepted by audition for the 2024 season and complete the 2024 season in good standing may be invited to participate in the 2025 season without an audition.