Color Guard and Majorettes

Flag Basics: Drop spins, flutters, carvins, around the world, pop toss, 45 toss
Dance Basics: Jazz walks/runs, chasse, passe

Flag Routine Round

A flag routine will be taught at auditions and performed for the judges, who will look for knowledge of the routine, performance quality, and overall execution.

What to Wear

You need to wear a white top suitable spinning with appropriately colored undergarments (sports bra, bra, etc.), black shorts or black Capri pants that are dance attire fashion, and jazz or guard shoes. Hair needs to be secured tightly out of your face preferably in a bun. A flag routine will be taught at auditions and performed for the judges, who will look for knowledge of the routine, performance quality, and overall execution.

Selection Process

Scores will be totaled and ranked in order from highest to lowest. The number of candidates selected will be determined where the first big break in scoring occurs. There is no set number from year to year. We are looking for the best and closest in ability. You will be judged, graded, and selected solely on your ability, skill, poise, and personality. Candidates will be emailed within a week of auditions with the results. 

Mandatory Equipment

You will need to purchase a warm up, shorts, tshirt, earrings, and embroidered duffel bag that I will order. Rookie members will need to send $100 (estimate) along with their signed Acceptance Contract to me so that I can order the items mentioned above. Returning members will need to let me know at this time if they need anything new ordered.

Majorettes

Team Expectations

The main objective of the Mount Union majorette line is to provide color and excitement to the marching band performances. Your job is to promote constructive school spirit, and develop good sportsmanship and self-esteem while working together as a cohesive group with the band. As an individual and a member of the line, you can fulfill this role as long as you have an attitude of respect, friendliness, and fairness. You will be expected to give a great deal of yourself throughout this experience, but the experience is an opportunity of a lifetime.

• Attendance- Miss no more than 3 excused rehearsals. You will need to be signed up for
  Fall Marching Band, which is a graded class at UMU.
     ○ Absences (including leaving early for other commitments) need to be cleared through Mr. Neitzke.
     ○ All performances must be attended.
• Be on time for rehearsals and performances.
• Attitude is everything! Bring a good attitude. Work hard and efficiently during practice, so performances/games can be fun and enjoyable.

Audition Process

Due to COVID, we have not utilized a traditional audition process in the past couple of years. This year, we will have a judged audition process with 2-3 unbiased judges. New and old members must audition. You will audition for majorette in front of 2-3 unbiased judges. Below, I have included the expectations for the audition. We will have a short clinic in the morning, followed by a break for lunch and/or independent practice.

1. Individual Round:

Each candidate will perform an original routine that is not longer than 3 minutes or shorter than 2 minutes. Your routine may include any elements you wish; i.e. 1, 2, 3, or more batons, novelties such as knives, ribbons, flag batons, or hoop batons and props that can be easily manipulated. National Baton Twirling Association score sheets will be used to evaluate this portion of the auditions. You MUST bring a CD or device with Bluetooth speaker capability.

2. Trick and Rudiment Round:
Candidates should know and be proficient in the performance of the following tricks that are scored on the basis of correct technique, execution, and correct completion of the rudiments.

• 2 spin catch right hand
• 2 spin catch left hand
• 2 spin catch back hand
• Vertical finger twirls
• Horizontal finger twirls
• Horizontal 2 spin catch right hand
• 2 right hand fishtails with a single turn/carry on the wrist then 2 fishtail again
• 3 Continuous elbows
• High toss regular/forward illusion
• Left or Right leg split
• Grande Jete
• 8 counts of 2-baton “showers” in succession
• 8 counts of 3-baton pendulums/tick-tocks finishing with a thumb toss, 1 spin, catch in right hand

You will be given 5 chances to catch and complete each trick correctly 3 times. You will receive 10 points for each rudiment you complete 3 out of the first three attempts. You will receive 5 points for each trick you complete 3 out of any other of the 5 attempts. You will receive 0 points for anything less than the required 3 completions of each rudiment.

What to wear:
You need to wear a white top suitable for twirling with appropriately colored undergarments (sports bra, bra, etc.), black shorts or black Capri pants that are dance attire fashion, flesh-colored tights, and twirling or jazz shoes. Hair needs to be secured tightly out of your face preferably in a bun.

Selection process:
Scores will be totaled and ranked in order from highest to lowest. The number of candidates selected will be determined where the first big break in scoring occurs. There is no set number of twirlers from year to year. We are looking for the best and closest in ability. You will be judged, graded, and selected solely on your ability, skill, poise, and personality. Candidates will be emailed within a week of auditions with the results.

Mandatory equipment for UMU Majorettes:
(3) 28” or 29” ABC or Sharp batons with the REGULAR 7/16” shaft Tan Cougar/Instep twirling shoes
(2 pair) Capezio #1815 Light Suntan (LSN) Tights OR
(2 pair) Capezio #1816 Light Suntan (LSN) Transition tights

***You will also need to purchase a warm up, shorts, tshirt, earrings, and duffel bag that will be lettered. These will be ordered over the summer..***

Raiderette

Team Expectations

The main objective of the Mount Union Raiderette is to provide color and excitement to the marching band performances. Your job is to promote constructive school spirit and develop good sportsmanship and self-esteem while working together as a cohesive group with the band. As an individual and a member of the line, you can fulfill this role as long as you have an attitude of respect, friendliness, and fairness. You will be expected to give a great deal of yourself throughout this experience, but the experience is an opportunity of a lifetime.

• Attendance- Miss no more than 3 excused rehearsals. You will need to be signed up for Fall Marching Band, which is a graded class at UMU.
     ○ Absences (including leaving early for other commitments) need to be cleared through Mr. Neitzke.
     ○ All performances must be attended.
• Be on time for rehearsals and performances.
• Attitude is everything! Bring a good attitude. Work hard and efficiently during practice, so performances/games can be fun and enjoyable.

Audition Process

Due to COVID, we have not utilized a traditional audition process in the past couple of years. This year, we will have a judged audition process with 2-3 unbiased judges. New and old members must audition. Candidates auditioning for this position may be placed on the twirling team should they not be chosen as Feature Twirler(s). More than one feature twirler position may be chosen if more than one candidate is capable. Below, I have included the expectations for the audition.

Audition Procedure:

• All candidates must perform and successfully complete the tricks listed below.
• All candidates will perform the 2-3 minute original routine to music and must score substantially higher than the candidates choosing to only audition for the Majorette line.

1. Individual Round:
Each candidate will perform an original routine that is not longer than 3 minutes or shorter than 2 minutes. Your routine may include any elements you wish; i.e. 1, 2, 3, or more batons, novelties such as knives, ribbons, flag batons, or hoop batons and props that can be easily manipulated.
National Baton Twirling Association score sheets will be used to evaluate this portion of the auditions. You MUST bring a CD or device with Bluetooth speaker capability.

2. Trick and Rudiment Round:
Candidates should know and be proficient in the performance of the following tricks that are scored on the basis of correct technique, execution, and correct completion of the rudiments.

• 5 spin
• 5 spin catch in left
• 4 spin catch back hand
• 4 spin catch on back
• 4 spin catch blind
• Horizontal 4 spin
• One spin-Double outside/reverse illusion
• Double right/regular illusion
• 10 continuous elbows
• 10 continuous front neck rolls OR 10 continuous back neck rolls
• High toss walkover
• Fishtails w/double turn and ½ into reverse fishtails
• Any high toss leap combination of your choice
• 8 counts of 2-baton “showers” in succession
• High toss/low 1 spin – Release w/a thumb toss and either do a pass or a reverse toss into the 1 spin
• 16 counts of 3-baton pendulums/tick-tocks finishing with a thumb toss, 2 spin, catch in right hand
• 1 complete box of 3-baton horizontal tosses beginning with the first toss in the front and finishing with a 1-spin on the 5th toss in the front
• 1 complete box of 3-baton vertical thumb tosses beginning with the first toss in the front and finishing with a 1-spin on the 5th toss in the front
• 3 baton stacks – You must release all 3 from your right-hand w/thumb tosses.

You will be given 5 chances to catch and complete each trick correctly 3 times. You will receive 10 points for each rudiment you complete 3 out of the first three attempts. You will receive 5 points for each trick you complete 3 out of any other of the 5 attempts. You will receive 0 points for anything less than the required 3 completions of each rudiment.

What to wear:
You need to wear a white top suitable for twirling with appropriately colored undergarments (sports bra, bra, etc.), black shorts or black Capri pants that are dance attire fashion, flesh-colored tights, and twirling or jazz shoes. Hair needs to be secured tightly out of your face preferably in a bun.

Selection process:
Scores will be totaled and ranked in order from highest to lowest. The number of candidates selected will be determined where the first big break in scoring occurs. There is no set number of twirlers from year to year. We are looking for the best and closest in ability. You will be judged, graded, and selected solely on your ability, skill, poise, and personality. Candidates will be emailed within a week of auditions with the results.

***You will also need to purchase a warm up, shorts, tshirt, earrings, and duffel bag that will be lettered. These will be ordered over the summer..***