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Prospective UNT Green Brigade Drumline and Front Ensemble Percussionists

NEW FOR 2025 SEASON: All new percussion applicants will submit a video prescreening audition. Those invited to attend the in-person auditions in August will be notified in May/June. Video Auditions are due by May 1, 2025.

We are glad you are interested in auditioning for the UNT Green Brigade Percussion section and look forward to meeting you. To register to audition for the UNT Green Brigade Percussion section, please visit this page - https://music.unt.edu/greenbrigade/join-green-brigade.html

Move-In and Audition: Those who pass the pre-screening round will be invited to audition in-person. Please visit the Summer Band page for calendar and date information - https://music.unt.edu/greenbrigade/faqs/summer-band-camp-information.html

VIDEO AUDITION GUIDELINES

When submitting your video, designate all instruments for wish to be considered.

Your evaluation will be based upon:

Timing
Rhythmic accuracy 
Quality of sound 
Technique 
Strength / chops 
Reading
Attendance
Commitment level / attitude

All rudimental percussionists should be prepared with a short solo demonstrating your abilities - no longer than 2 1/2 minutes.
Also, please be prepared with your own exercises demonstrating:

8's
Accent Tap
Double beat
Triple beat
Basic duplet and triplet timing exercises
Basic diddle and roll exercises (duple & triplet based)
Basic flam accent and flam tap exercise

All keyboard percussionists should be prepared with a short 2 and/or 4 mallet solo or excerpt from a longer piece. You may also include exercises demonstrating:

2 mallet scales and arpeggios (major, minor, and chromatic)
4 mallet dexterity and blocked chords (vibes - Burton grip, marimba - Stevens grip)

We do have several synthesizer spots available. If you have particular piano proficiency, please let us know this as well.

For the invited live-round audition, please bring suggested implements:
Innovative Percussion FS-PR2
Innovative Percussion TS-PR Multi-Tom Stick
Innovative Percussion FS-4002.5 Marimba Mallets
Innovative Percussion IP-4006 Vibe Mallets (4)

If you are auditioning for the front ensemble it is not mandatory to perform on all instruments. If you are not equally strong in all areas of percussion this will not count as a negative. Your versatility could serve as a positive.

The exercises used for the audition will cover fundamentals and will be somewhat easy to understand. Once again, the emphasis will be placed on quality of sound, timing, and rhythmic accuracy.

All exercises for battery and mallet players will be given to you at the camp and will not be mailed out.

If you have a conflict with the audition please e-mail well in advance.

I am certain it will be a successful year and I hope you can be a part of it. Good luck at the audition!

Sincerely,

Professor Paul Rennick
UNT Green Brigade Percussion Coordinator
paul.rennick@unt.edu

Patrick Tierney
UNT Green Brigade Adjunct Percussion Instructor