McNeil High School Band

WHAT: CASTING CALL! The McNeil High School Colorguard is seeking young women and men to join their talented and dedicated performance group. This audition is open to all 8th graders who will be attending McNeil in the Fall of 2010. It is also open to current McNeil students new to the colorguard activity, and current McNeil students who have been in colorguard in the past and who would like to rejoin (ex-members who would like to rejoin MUST attend auditions).

WHO: The Colorguard is looking for people who, first and foremost, have a great attitude and enjoy working hard towards a goal. We are also looking for fast learners and people with good body awareness. Dance experience is a plus, but not required! Those who arrive on time (this means at least five minutes early) and who can participate in all the sessions will have a better chance of being accepted. If you’re simply curious, feel free to come by and try your hand at spinning a flag, just to see whether or not it’s your thing.

WHEN:

Tuesday, May 4th:

• Parent and Student Informational Session, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm.  Informational meeting for Prospective Members and their parents to learn about Colorguard and ask questions about the activity and auditions.

Tuesday, May 11th:

• Flag and Dance Learning Session, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
  Middle school students auditioning for colorguard can ride the bus that will take Middle School Band Students to McNeil HS for the Spring Training marching rehearsal. Middle school students can locate that bus by asking the middle school Band Director or a middle school band student for help, or asking the bus drivers directly.

Thursday, May 13th:

• Flag and Dance Learning Session, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Saturday, May 15th:

• 9:00 pm – 11:30 am, Closed Audition
• 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, Interviews. Students accepted into the Colorguard will then be measured for costumes and windsuit, and payment will be accepted.

The first two sessions will be learning sessions for flag, dance, and marching.  On Saturday, we will review what was learned over the three sessions, and then Auditionees will perform this new knowledge.

At 11:30 am on Saturday, short interviews will begin between members (and their parents if they would like) and the Instructor. If both the Member and the Instructor think it’s a good idea for the student to join Colorguard, the student can go on to be measured for uniforms and windsuits, and payments accepted for their windsuit and uniforms. (See the Frequently Asked Questions page on the website for additional information about this activity’s financial commitment.) The New Member AND their parents / guardians will also be required to sign a contract saying that they and their parents / guardians have read the Membership Handbook and accept the rules within.

All sessions except for the Saturday session will be open to the public, and parents are welcome to come and observe (the Instructor would love to meet you, so please introduce yourself). The Saturday session will be a closed audition, until 11:30 am.

WHERE: All sessions will meet at the McNeil High School Band Hall. The door is located to the west of the concrete seatwall, in the front of the school. Look for signs.

PROPER AUDITION ATTIRE: Clothing that allows for complete freedom of movement, such as gym clothes or dancewear, is required. Be aware that jeans do not fall into this category. Wear athletic shoes, not dance shoes, as some of the auditions may be outside.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE COLORGUARD FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PAGE.

For questions not answered on the FAQ page, email instructor Jeanette Pritchard at jeanettejeanette@yahoo.com.