Audition Information

Longhorn Band Auditions
Membership in the Longhorn Band is determined by TWO auditions. The first is a preliminary playing audition performed for the directors. (Music Majors - acceptance to the School of Music serves as your preliminary audition. However, you must still submit a Prospective Member Audition Form , downloadable in Microsoft Word or PDF format.) Once the preliminary playing audition (wind) or color guard audition is passed, applicants will be invited via mail to attend Band Week, which is held the week prior to the start of the fall semester. Prospective members will learn the Longhorn Band marching style and participate in a final marching/playing audition.

Wind Preliminary Audition:

    All 12 major scales
  • Full-range chromatic scale
  • One brief lyrical excerpt
  • One brief technical excerpt
Wind Preliminary Live Audition Dates for 2013:
    Saturday, May 25 (TSSEC) - 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  • Monday, May 27 (TSSEC) - 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 29 - 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Auditions are held in the Longhorn Band Hall. It is not necessary to call and schedule a specific audition time. Accompanists are not needed.

During the auditions, Longhorn Band students will be available to answer questions, and to take prospective members on a tour of our facilities.

Deadline for 2013 Longhorn Band auditions is July 26, 2013!

Any wind or color guard prospective member who is unable to travel to Austin for their playing audition should send a recording (sound files via email, or YouTube). This recording must be received by the Band Office no later than July 26, 2013. Please be sure to enclose a Prospective Member Audition Form with your recording and mail to the following address:

The University of Texas at Austin
University Bands
Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music
The University of Texas at Austin
2406 Robert Dedman Drive, Stop E3100
Austin, TX 78712-1555

Color Guard Preliminary Audition:
Every prospective color guard member (both new and returning members) must attend at least one of two color guard clinics during the summer in order to fulfill the pre-audition requirement and be invited to Band Week, this will be considered as your preliminary audition. Participation in all Band Week instruction is required.

If you unable to attend either clinic then you will need to submit a video (DVD or YouTube) consisting of a one-minute flag routine to music of your choosing. This routine should incorporate body, tosses, exploration of different planes, body control while manipulating equipment, and proper technique. Audition video submission deadline is July 26, 2013.

Percussion Audition:
Although a preliminary audition is not required of percussionists, every prospective drumline member must attend at least one drumline clinic in order to fulfill the pre-audition requirement and be invited to Band Week. It is strongly recommended that percussionists attend all three clinics. These clinics will provide the opportunity to prepare for the drum line audition, which is held the first day of Band Week in August.
Download the Longhorn Band Drumline Handbook.

Marching Audition:
Participation in all Band Week instruction is required. Everything you need to know about the Longhorn Band marching style is taught during this intensive period of instruction. In addition, several optional marching clinics are offered on selected Saturdays during the summer months.

Prospective Member Audition Form
Download a Prospective Member Audition Form to be printed and mailed to the above address, or emailed to lhbinfo@mail.music.utexas.edu