Percussion Caption Supervisor: Matt Altmire
Front Ensemble Supervisor: Ariel Campos
Instructor: Andy Bill

Audition Materials
The Pacific Crest Front Ensemble is fully integrated into the musical production. With a wide array of instruments, we work to produce exciting performances through timbre combinations, orchestration and individual and ensemble demand. In addition to drum corps music, the section has a tradition of learning percussion ensemble works that it performs during the winter and spring.

How will the auditions work?
On the first rehearsal day in December, you will receive exercises. You will have a chance to warm up on your own in order to get comfortable on our instruments. We will then begin working on exercises together.

Prepare a 2 – 4 minute solo on marimba, vibraphone, or xylophone. You can use an honor band audition piece or a piece you prepared for a jury. On Sunday, we will listen to you individually to evaluate your sound, technical facility and sight reading ability.

You will also learn an ensemble piece so we can guage your ability to work in an ensemble.

I can't attend any of the workshops. Can I still audition?
We strongly urge prospects, including veteran members to attend all four days in December. The content from day to day is sequential, and we begin rehearsing from day one. Plus the audition fee is waived if you attend the rehearsals, so for the same amount of money, you get an additional two full days of instruction.

If you are involved in the Rose Parade or similar activity during the winter, and there simply is not way for you to audition in person, you must send a DVD audition to us so we receive it by the Friday before the Audition Weekend. Please send an This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

How will I be evaluated?
During the auditions you will be evaluated in these areas (Please notice the order of this list):

How can I best prepare for the auditions?
Mastering the following skills will help you learn our exercises more quickly so you can succeed at the auditions. Speed is not important; accuracy, however, is critical.

Four-Mallet Skills

• Major chords - ascending chromatically, four times in each key beginning on 'C'
• Independence and control (We use the Stevens Grip.)

What should I bring to the auditions?
This list is short and easy:

I don't play keyboards, but I really want to play in the front ensemble. Do I have a chance?
We usually only accept performers who can play mallet keyboards; however, we have had players in the past who performed only on timpani, auxiliary instruments, and piano synthesizer. Your ability to perform on other instruments will give you an edge over others who cannot.

What is the instrumentation in the front ensemble?
Of course, the type of show dictates the number and type of drums and auxiliary instruments, so what appears here are the main instruments in the front ensemble.

Can I audition on timpani?
Absolutely. We typically have one person who plays timpani the whole show. If this interests you, and you have a skilled ear, an ability to make quick pitch changes, and a general understanding of tone production and roll sound, you should consider auditioning for this position.

We're excited about your interest in Pacific Crest, and we're looking forward to seeing you at our workshops in December. If you decide Pacific Crest is the place for you, you're going to have a great time and an extremely enriching experience.