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Audition/Placement Assessment

The Vanderbilt Athletic Bands accept all persons willing to put in the effort to make the band successful. The purpose of the Placement Assessment is to make sure everyone is placed in a role that allows for success without undue stress. The Athletic Bands move quickly, and we understand that our members are students. Every year, we have members who have never marched before and quickly become valuable members.

Mellophone

Spirit of Gold Marching Band

  • Woodwinds & Brass
    2026 Spirit of Gold Woodwind & Brass Placement Assessment
     
    Requirements
    • Record a video of yourself playing the 3 items listed below (cell phone quality is fine).
    • All 3 items may be submitted as a single video or as separate videos.
    Repertoire Items
    1. Chromatic Scale
      • Play an ascending and descending chromatic scale demonstrating your full range.
      • Recommended tempo: ≥100 bpm.
        • You may play straight eighth notes or an "All State" rhythm.
    2. Major Scales (2 Scales, 1-Octave)
      • Play an ascending and descending 1-octave version of any 2 major scales.
      • Recommended tempo: ≥100 bpm.
        • You may play straight eighth notes or an "All State" rhythm.
        • Arpeggios are not required.
    3. "Dynamite"
      • Sheet music available here.
      • Play our fight song, "Dynamite", from measure 1 through measure 20.
      • Recommended tempo: ≤144 bpm.
        • Play the "Dynamite" as close to performance tempo as possible while playing the part accurately.
        • For the Placement Assessment, musical accuracy and rhythmic consistency take priority over attempting to play at performance tempo.
      • A metronome should be used while recording "Dynamite".
        • Please use headphones or make sure your instrument can clearly be heard over the metronome.
      • Choreography is not required.
    Submission Details
    • Upload your video(s) to your favorite streaming/sharing platform (YouTube, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).
    • Include link(s) to your video(s) on the Placement Assessment submission form.
    • Due Date: August 1st, 2026
    Additional Notes
    • If you are a returning member of the Spirit of Gold, you do not need to submit a placement assessment.
    • Substitute instrumentations may be used if you do not have access to the appropriate instrument. For example:
      • Piccolos may use a Flute.
      • Mellophones may use a Horn.
      • Sousaphones may use a Tuba.
      • Baritone Saxophones may use Alto or Tenor Saxophones.
    • If you do not have an instrument available to you, please contact Dr. Morin and we will work out alternate arrangements.
    • Those who do not submit a recording will be placed in an alternate role until the Placement Assessment is complete.
  • Drumline

    Submit the Intent Form and join the 2026 Vandy Drumline Facebook Group for more info! 

    *Remember, everyone who puts in the effort to be on the drumline makes the line. The Placement Assessments are used to determine specific part assignments (snare, tenor, bass, cymbals).

  • Colorguard

    The Colorguard Placement Assessment primarily takes place during Band Camp. For more information, please contact our Guard Instructor, Caleb Holifield.

  • Twirlers

    Learn more about the Spirit of Gold Twirler audition process here.

Trombone

Anchor of Sound Basketball Band

  • Woodwinds, Brass, Guitar, Bass, & Keyboard

    Woodwind & Brass players should submit a video (cell phone works well) of yourself playing the following...

    Each component may be a separate video, so attempt as many takes as you need to produce your best work.

    Upload the videos to your favorite platform (YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) and submit links to your video(s) using the link above.

    The deadline to submit Placement Assessments for the 2025 Anchor of Sound is October 29th, 2025.

    If you do not have an instrument available to you, please contact Dr. Morin and we will work out alternate arrangements.

    Those who do not submit a recording will be placed in an alternate role until the Placement Assessment is complete.

    * If you are a returning woodwind or brass member of the Anchor of Sound, you do not need to submit a placement assessment.

    ** If you are a new member of the Anchor of Sound and are a current member of the Spirit of Gold, you do not need to submit a placement assessment unless you are playing a different instrument in each ensemble.

    *** You may use a flute if a piccolo is unavailable, a horn if a mellophone is unavailable, or a tuba if a sousaphone is unavailable.

    **** Guitar, Bass Guitar, and Keyboard applicants do not need to submit the Chromatic Scale.

  • Drum Kit

    ALL Drum Kit players should submit a video (cell phone works well) of yourself playing the following...

    Each component may be a separate video, so attempt as many takes as you need to produce your best work.

    Upload the videos to your favorite platform (YouTube, Vimeo, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.) and submit links to your video(s) using the link above.

    The deadline to submit Placement Assessments for the 2025 Anchor of Sound is October 29th, 2025.

    If you do not have an instrument available to you, please contact Clark Hubbard and we will work out alternate arrangements.

    Those who do not submit a recording will be placed in an alternate role until the Placement Assessment is complete.

Bass Drum

Dore Slam Drumline

  • Snare, Tenor, Bass, & Cymbals

    Attend the in-person Part Placement Session.

    During the Part Placement Session, you will play through various exercises and cadences as an ensemble. Members may be moved around to different instruments throughout the session to find the best fit for each member of the ensemble.

    This in-person session is typically held in November-December.