Spirit Requirements for Color Guard
Color Guard Auditions 2024-25
Every prospective member must audition for placement purposes. If you are interested in joining a Concert or Jazz Band, or to learn about other opportunities in the band program, email BearcatBands@ucmail.uc.edu or call 513-556-BAND to tell us about your interests and to introduce yourself.
- Required skills
- Pole/Pull Hits (work angles and flat)
- Pop tosses (single and doubles)
- Single/Double Silk Tosses
- Horizontal Tosses
- 45/Angle Tosses
- Any additional Release moves
- Dance/body movement experience is preferred, though not required
- Intangibles
- Commitment to be present at every function of the Bearcat Marching and Basketball Bands made known to you
- Well spoken, verbally and in writing
- Mannerly
- Well groomed
- Confident posture, engaging eye contact, a cheerful disposition and facial expression
- Mature and befitting cognitive and emotional capabilities
- Emphasis on the good of the team and band over self-interest
- Willingness to learn, if new info
- How to count music
- How to read drill charts
- How to march at 8-to-5 step size
Audition Submission Process
All prospective members are required to submit the videos in one take each of their performances of the requirements. Email a shareable link (cloud-based such as YouTube, Dropbox, or Google Drive) to Ms. Andrea Meyer, Assistant Band Director. In addition to submitting the requirements as a video, they will also be utilized at camp. Videos will be accepted until June 25. If you are receiving this information after this date or have extenuating circumstances that prohibit sending videos, please email for assistance. We look forward to hearing from you!
Requirements
- Supply videos of the following:
- UC Fight Songs
- Follow our online tutorials to learn two of our school songs:
- Audio-only of the band's pregame music is also available:
- Learn the routines, polish the work, and send your performance in one take of both school songs as entry #1.
- Flag Tosses
- Submit video of tossing skills on flag. Include all of the items appearing in the required skills list.
- Please show skills on BOTH HANDS and display strong variety and proficiency.
- Send all in one take as entry #2.
- Flag Routine Example
- Submit a 1-2 minutes sample of a favorite combination or routine, great work from a show you’ve performed, or something you’ve created. Showcase your flag skills with a strong variety of moves, performance qualities, and your love of our sport. Smile!
- Send in one take as entry #3.
- Weapons - optional
- If you are interested in Rifle or Sabre, send a video demonstrating your weapon skills: a short segment with exercises to show basics and proficiency with spins or technique exercises on Rifle. Include a segment with Rifle Tosses (doubles, triples, quads, fives, horizontal & angle releases) with a variety of releases from other parts of the weapon and including back handed catches. You may also showcase a short Weapon Routine showing skills, equipment work and tossing, either on Rifle or Sabre.
- You DO NOT need to send these weapon videos if you are not interested in the weapon line.
- Send in one take as entry #4.
- UC Fight Songs
Summer Camps
| Date | Title | Location | Time | Housing & Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | Virtual Welcome & Masterclass Topics: |
Online meeting link will be provided | 6:00-8:00 PM | n/a |
| July 10-12, 2024 | Color Guard Placement for All New and Returning Members | Rockwern Band Center on the UC Main Campus and adjacent athletic fields | Wednesday & Thursday • Block 1: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM • Block 2: 1:30-5:00 PM • Block 3: 6:30-8:30 PM
Friday • Block 1: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM • Block 2: 1:30-5:00 PM Concludes by 5:30 PM |
Housing on your own; meals on your own |
| Tuesday, August 13, 2024 | Preseason Color Guard Camp begins | Same | All day | More information will be released in July |