Audition for the UMass Drumline
Thank you for your interest in the UMass Drumline. Nothing is more important than finding dedicated and talented members.
The UMass Drumline has a long and rich history of excellence and we hope that you can be part of it!
Your acceptance into the drumline will be determined on a variety of factors including: your ability to meet the time commitment, acceptable academic standing, attitude, and your proficiency level on your chosen instrument.
Audition videos are due by July 7th.
How to Audition
Record an audition video.
All percussion candidates must submit an audition video.
- Upload your video via YouTube
- Audition videos are due by July 7th
- Perform ALL required material for your preferred section
- All materials MUST be memorized
- You MUST play with a metronome clearly audible in your video
- Where possible, please perform on an instrument (not a practice pad)
Prepare audition materials.
Please send us an email with the following information:
- Full name
- Current address
- Phone number
- Email address
- YouTube audition video link/URL
- Preferred section (snare, tenors, bass, cymbals, front ensemble)
Submit your audition.
Send your email to Ian Hale: ihale@umass.edu.
Once we have received your email, we will contact you with more information.
If you have any questions please contact us or email Mr. Hale.
Audition Material
Do not use music found on other pages of this website, as they may be outdated.
All Pregame music, plus…
Cadence 2024 — Score & Legend
- Audio mp3 file
- Tempo: 116bpm
- Marking time is required in your audition video.
- Play #1-4 and 11-14
- Tempo: 84bpm
- Marking time is required in your audition video.
- Play #1-3
- Tempo: 100bpm
- Marking time is required in your audition video.
Two-Height Rolls (audio version here)
- Play whole exercise
- Tempo: 144pm AND 160 (two separate takes or videos)
- Marking time is required in your audition video.
- Play whole exercise
- Tempo: 138bpm
- Marking time is required in your audition video.
- Play pages #1-2
- Tempo: 112bpm
- (Marking time is not required for Flam Thing)
Plus all Pregame music
All Pregame music, plus…
Cadence 2024 — Score & Legend
- Audio mp3 file
- Tempo: 116bpm
- Marking time is required in your audition video.
Note about Cadence cymbal parts— Unless otherwise instructed, play “Side 1” part (all notes with stems pointing downward).
- Play #1-4 and 11-14
- Tempo: 84bpm
- Marking time is required in your audition video.
- Play #1-3
- Tempo: 100bpm
- Marking time is required in your audition video.
- Play whole exercise
- Tempo: 138bpm
- Marking time is required in your audition video.
Plus all Pregame music
Note for cymbal players:
All cymbal candidates must play Duple Check Patterns, Triplet Check Pattern, and Full-Down-Tap-Up, with sticks on a drum or drum pad.
Pregame music should be played with cymbals if possible. If this is not possible, please play the cymbal parts with sticks on a drum or pad.
Pregame Music
Pregame Music
All Pregame Music is required for all auditioning battery members (snare, tenors, bass, cymbals).
- Pregame Runout
- Fight Mass Fanfare
- Fight Mass
- God Bless America
- Star Spangled Banner
- Cowbell Cheer
- Spell Out/Wipe Out/Land of 1,000 Dances (mp3)
Metronome markings are included in each piece.
- Play #1-4 and 11-14 on written pitches
- Tempo: 84bpm
- Play #1-3 on written pitches
- Tempo: 100bpm
- Play whole exercise on written pitches
- Tempo: 138bpm
- Play vibraphone or marimba part (2 mallets)
- Tempo: 120bpm
- Play with 4 mallets
- Tempo: 90bpm and 100bpm
- Play vibraphone part or marimba part (4 mallets)
- Excerpt: Top to measure 20
- Audio mp3 file
- Tempo: 84bpm
Brief solo (optional)
Pregame music is NOT required for Front Ensemble.
- Play #1-4 and 11-14
- Tempo: 84bpm
- Play #1-3
- Tempo: 100bpm
- Play whole exercise
- Tempo: 138bpm
Note for rack/drum set players:
In addition, drum set players must submit a sampling of material that demonstrates your abilities in at least three different musical styles (e.g. Rock, Jazz, Latin, etc).
Use of articulations and dynamics are important. Fills are encouraged.
Pregame music is NOT required for Front Ensemble.
- Play #1-4 and 11-14 with sticks on a drum pad
- Tempo: 84bpm
- Play #1-3 with sticks on a drum pad
- Tempo: 100bpm
Fourmal — Score
- Play guitar part or bass guitar part
- Excerpt: Top to measure 20
- Audio mp3 file
- Tempo: 104bpm
Note for Guitar/Bass Guitar players:
Submit a sampling of material that demonstrates your abilities in different musical styles.
Use of articulations and dynamics is important. Comping and soloing are encouraged.
Pregame music is NOT required for Front Ensemble.