2026 Drum Major Audition Information

Thank you for your interest in serving as a Drum Major for the 2026 Golden Wave Band! Please print off this information for future use.

Round 1 Audition - MONDAY, MARCH 16th, 6:30PM, McCrary Music Building

Prerequisites are as follows:

• Application plus AUDITION is required
• Must demonstrate strong leadership skills
• Work closely with the directors; serve the roles as conductor and staff member
• Assists to keep everyone motivated and is a positive role model on the field
• Must be available before rehearsals to meet with the directors for planning, strategy, and implementation (typically 2:30 – 3:30, MWF)
• Served as a member of the Golden Wave Band for at least one season
• Prior GWB leadership experience is recommended and preferred
• MUST be available for manager workdays and Leadership Retreat starting the week before Preseason Week (August 6-15, 2026)
• Must be available for staff meetings (typically twice a month) and Leadership meetings

1. Apply through the Leadership / Staff Application. Applications are due on FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27th (11:59 pm)

2. Drum Major whistles (Fox40 Classic or the Fox40 Sonik Blast) and practice maces: It is preferred you purchase your own whistle at a local sport store (Must be a Fox40 Classic or the Fox 40 Sonik Blast). However, if you need to borrow a whistle, please see Ashley in McCrary 210 (7:45am-3:15pm). To obtain a practice mace, please see Ashley in McCrary 210 (7:45am-3:15pm).

3. Shortly after all applications are processed, auditionees will receive a confirmation email for the Round 1 audition.

Audition Components for Round 1 - MONDAY, MARCH 16th, 6:30PM, wear rally uniform 

• Whistle Demonstration:
  • Give five starting whistles in the following tempos (in the order listed): Quarter note = 144, pause (for at least 4 seconds), 90, pause, 160, pause, 120, pause, 180. Accuracy and consistency of tempos are judged.
  • Whistle style must be very short bursts of controlled sound with very high volume (as loud as possible) and clearly tongued articulation. The whistle sound should have a defined start and a defined ending. Avoid using a “oo” or “ah” ending on the whistled tones.
  • All candidates must use the a Fox40 Classic or Fox40 Sonik Blast whistle (see info above).
• Conducting Demonstration Part 1:
  • Conduct to the recording of the City of Angels.  CLICK HERE to access the score and mp3 recording. PLEASE NOTE - the use of this material is strictly prohibited. Do not publicly post, copy, duplicate, or distribute in any way (not even among current members).
    • Conduct in a manner that inspires players to play musically
    • Show proper style and maintain honest time/pulse
    • Show musicianship through a variety of gestures using speed, space, weight (overall dynamics, contrast, articulations, etc.)
    • Show cues and demonstrate awareness of interplay between instrument sections (i.e. envision band in concert arcs for setup, show cues for sections who have melody or important lines in the music)
    • Use left-hand independence to show musical ideas
• Conducting Demonstration Part 2:
  • A director will conduct generic meters and will change styles. You will conduct with the director and attempt to match his styles and gestures (i.e. He will conduct in 4/4 meter for a few bars in a style and you must mimic his style, then he will change to a different style or meter and you must adjust to follow him).
• Interview:
  • Directors and staff will ask various questions about your background, your personality, how you would serve in the Drum Major role, how you might handle different scenarios as a leader of the band. Prepare statements for discussion. 

4. Following Round 1, the directors will narrow the candidate pool and notify Round 2 participants.

Audition Components for Round 2 - FRIDAY, March 27th, 4PM, wear rally uniform, Jones Hall

• Mace Demonstration:
  • Candidates selected by directors will perform the BU Fanfare Drum Major Mace Routine using a practice mace. CLICK HERE to download the BU Fanfare audio recording. CLICK HERE to download a demonstration video of the routine at full speed (no music). CLICK HERE to download the video demonstrated at a slower speed. CLICK HERE to download a written breakdown of the maneuvers.
  • All candidates must use a practice mace as this makes it equal for all participants. The directors will talk to each of the candidates to determine the best course of action to get a practice mace to the auditioners.
  • Candidates are encouraged to seek previous Drum Majors to receive advice/assistance.
• Live Conducting Demonstration:
  • Round two applicants will participate in a live conducting demonstration on the podium with the Courtside Players in Jones Concert Hall.
  • Those who advance should prepare to call up offensive and defensive tunes, rah-rah and traditional tunes, and drum cadences (conducting and stopping at the appropriate time)

5. Upon completion of Round 2, the directors announce the 2026 Drum Majors within the week.

Video of Drum Major Round 2 informational meeting.

Please email Dr. Odajima for any questions or concerns regarding the audition process.