The position of Solo Twirler with the Penn State Blue Band is determined annually through a competitive audition. At Penn State, the preference is for one Solo Twirler.
Auditions for the 2012 Blue Band Solo Twirler will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2012, in IM Building Gym #1 on the University Park campus of the Pennsylvania State University. Warm-ups will begin at 8:30 am; the auditions will begin at 9:00 am.
All applicants must be accepted to Penn State University — either as an undergraduate or graduate student — to be eligible for auditions. An assignment to another campus location may be transferred to University Park for a successful candidate.
Prepare your own routine and bring a CD of your music. A sound system will be provided. Judging is based on the following:
The routine should be continuous and last four to six minutes. You are required to perform one, two, and three baton twirling, strutting, and dancing. It is recommended that you use a variety of music displaying different tempos (rhythms). Additional equipment may be used, but is not required.
Also included in the audition will be a 45–60 second improvisational routine. We will give you a tape of music, allow two minutes for you to listen to it, then have you perform a routine to it. As indicated above, this will account for ten points of your total score. You will be scored on presentation, content, and consistency of movement (flow) for this routine. This portion of the audition will occur after all candidates have performed their prepared creative routines and before each candidate's interview.
Please wear appropriate clothing. You should wear a twirling costume so we can judge body lines. In general, you should present yourself in the manner you would want an audience to view you in either our stadium or arena.
We will have a minimum of four judges. Two will be associated with the current marching band and two will have trained background in twirling and dance. The latter two may or may not have been involved with the Penn State Blue Band. Auditions will be closed to the public.
The application form (available here) must be filled out at least one week prior to auditions. Upon completion of the form, please mail a picture of yourself to the Blue Band Office (photos will not be returned). This helps in identifying and remembering your application and audition.
If you are interested in auditioning for the Solo Twirler position, use the information provided below to determine the requirements and limitations that are applicable to you. Audition eligibility varies according to acceptance scenario and assigned campus status.
Students considering an audition for the Solo Twirler will be in one of three Penn State acceptance scenarios. Find the SCENARIO below (A, B, or C) which best describes you. Under the applicable scenario, find the Campus Status that best describes your Penn State acceptance. Under the applicable campus status, carefully read the eligibility requirements and/or limitations that apply. This information should enable you to determine if you are eligible or ineligible for consideration in the Solo Twirler auditions. Questions may be directed to: Kathy Bamat, Band Front Coordinator.
SCENARIO A: You will be an incoming freshman student. This is applicable only if you are currently a high school student. In general, applicants to Penn State who have a complete application on file with the Admissions Office by the end of November will receive a decision regarding an offer of admission and campus assignment by the end of January.
A1 (Campus Status): Offer, assigned to University Park. You may audition.
A2 (Campus Status): Offer, assigned to a Penn State Commonwealth campus other than University Park. You may audition.
SCENARIO B: You are a student currently enrolled and taking classes at a Penn State campus.
B1 (Campus Status): Currently attending classes at the University Park campus and NOT in academic Hold status. You may audition.
B2 (Campus Status): Currently at the sophomore level attending classes during the second academic year at a Commonwealth Campus (not University Park. You must provide verification from your current academic advisor indicating you are academically on track for the standard change of campus to University Park at the conclusion of the Spring semester prior to the Fall marching band season for which you are auditioning. You may audition.
B3 (Campus Status): Currently at the freshman level attending classes at a Penn State Commonwealth campus (not University Park). Students in this status are in the midst of their first year at a Commonwealth campus and need an approved early change of campus in order to be assigned to University Park for the Fall marching band season.
Needing an approved early change of campus assignment is the most challenging campus status from which a student can pursue an audition. You must understand that this process requires your current campus to approve an early release and your College must approve the transfer. Even with Blue Band confirmation of a successful audition, your College must still approve your academic eligibility and space availability in your major at University Park before a change of campus is forthcoming. Carefully read the Limitations, Explanations and Cautions applicable to students enrolled in the first year at a Commonwealth campus.
Limitation 1: Some Colleges and majors will NOT consider an early change of campus for Blue Band participation.
Explanation: Currently the College of Engineering, the Smeal College of Business, the College of Education, and the School of Nursing will NOT approve early change of campus assignments for Blue Band participation. Check with the Blue Band office for the most up-to-date list of Colleges and majors that will not consider early change of campus requests. Each year, additional Colleges and majors may be added to the current list. If you are in a major or College that WILL NOT approve early change of campus assignments, you may NOT audition.
Limitation 2: Early change of campus is an academic unit decision, NOT a Blue Band decision.
Explanation: If you are in a College and major that will consider early change of campus, a strong academic record will improve your chances of getting approval for the early change of campus request. Check with the Blue Band office for the most up-to-date list of Colleges and majors that will not consider early change of campus requests. Each year, additional Colleges and majors may be added to the current list. If you are in a College and/or major that WILL consider an early change of campus request, you may audition.
Caution: You must realize that it is possible to have a successful Blue Band audition (in other words, be offered the position of Solo Twirler for the fall) BUT still be denied early change of campus due to academic concerns and/or space availability in your major. The Dean of the College evaluates acceptable academic progress and space availability in the major.
Caution: At any time, Colleges and majors may adopt a policy which does not approve early change of campus request. The Blue Band office will not necessarily be informed of policy changes in advance.
Caution: Some students elect to pursue a change of major as a strategy for getting to University Park early. Students contemplating a change of major just to become eligible for an early change of campus that will enable Blue Band participation should carefully consider such action. A change of major is an important life decision and should not be undertaken lightly. Students should not consider a change of major without giving serious thought to academic and career goals. Consideration of a change in major should include consultation with academic advisors and with parents/guardians. The Blue Band office does NOT recommend students change majors just as a means of getting to University Park early. IF a change of major is in the best interest of the student academically, be advised that Penn State University requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or above before a change of major will be considered.
SCENARIO C: You are a student currently enrolled at a college or university other than Penn State. Prospective transfer students MUST file a complete application with Penn State NO LATER THAN February 1 and generally will receive a decision on admission and campus assignment by early April. Earlier applications will receive earlier decisions.
C1 (Campus Status): Offer, assigned to University Park (UP). You may audition.
C2 (Campus Status): Offer, assigned to a Penn State Commonwealth campus other than University Park are subject to the requirements, limitations, and cautions described in B3 (Campus Status) above.
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's programs, activities, and courses and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access and an equal opportunity to participate. If you have a disability-related need for reasonable accommodations for the auditions for the Blue Band, please contact the Office for Disability Services, ODS, by phone at 1-814-863-1807(V/TTY) or in-person (ODS is located in 116 Boucke Building). Please provide adequate notice of this need so that appropriate arrangements can be made in time for auditions. For further information regarding ODS please visit their web site at http://www.equity.psu.edu/ods.
If you have further questions regarding Blue Band Solo Twirler auditions, please contact:
Information regarding the Blue Sapphire Classic twirling competition can be found at: http://www.bluesapphireclassic.com.