Marching Southerners Hornline Auditions
Auditions for the Southerners hornline will take place in August during band camp. Every section
will have its own audition based on a few qualifications:
- Playing ability
- A willingness to work hard
- A great attitude
The Southerners feel that having these qualifications will move the band forward in our quest for
success. Our band camp newsletter will be posted on the home page of the website sometime in the
beginning of the summer. This newsletter will contain the information necessary for your completion
of band camp like times, dates, places, what to brings, etc. The section leaders will send you the
music once they have receive it, so be sure to contact them ASAP with your contact information so
they can send the music out. In addition to the newsletter, there will be an online registration
form that you MUST submit in order to attend band camp. Incoming rookies as well as vets are required
to register for Southerners.
For general questions, you can contact the University Bands secretary, Sandy Lynch via email at
slynch@jsu.edu or call (256)782-5562. You can also email the
2009 Southerners Head Drum Major, Ryan Murrell
at
homewoodSTL03@gmail.com
Marching Ballerinas Auditions
An interest meeting is held at the beginning of each year, usually in January, for high school students,
JSU students, and transferring students. Auditions are normally four Saturdays in February or March. Girls
auditioning for Ballerinas are taught two dances during the first three weeks of clinics and auditions are
on the final Saturday. One dance is a traditional style dance which is the traditional high-kick and sharp
techniques routine. This is the style that the Ballerinas perform at football games. The other dance is the
modern style dance which focuses more on studio type dancing. This style is what the Ballerinas perform at
exhibition shows.
If you would like to receive class credit for auditioning, you may sign up for the class during the spring
semester for a credit hour. Young ladies auditioning are not required to take the class, but may if they
wish to receive the credit hour.
If you have any further questions, you can email the Ballerina coordinator, Ms. Allison Brown at
diamondgirl@cableone.net
Southerners Drumline Auditions
The Southerners Drumline, a former PAS winner, is an elite organization that has a national reputation for
excellence. Auditions will be held during May before band camp in August. You may email or call Mr. Clint
Gillespie, the Assistant Director of Bands and Percussion Instructor by email
cgillesp@jsu.edu of call at (256)782-5630 for complete information
about the May camp. If you are unable to make it to the camp, let him know so alternate arrangements can be made.
In preparation of the May audition, Mr. Gillespie will be offering a Wednesday night drum class in the
spring semester which is open to anyone, including high school students, who want to learn some of the
technical aspects of playing in the drumline. If you live near enough to Jacksonville to make the weekly
drive, this is the single best way to improve your chances of making the drumline because you will learn
several exercises and techniques used by the Southerners. In the process of getting to know the guys
and girls on the drumline, you won’t feel quite as intimidated when auditions come around in May.
Southerners Color Guard Auditions
The Southerners Color Guard is composed of young men and women from various parts of the country. They are an
elite group of people selected from our spring auditions held in May of each year. It is an all day event
starting promptly at 9am and finishing at 5pm. The audition day starts out with a brief stretch and then quickly
moves to our body/movement program. The next part of the audition process involves flag fundamentals, where you
are taught flag releases, exercises, and then flag passages. The day concludes with those who are interested in
auditioning for the Southerners Weapon Line receiving instruction. After each section, auditionees are divided
into groups of 5 or 6 and are evaluated on their level of retention, performance, and attitude.
