Twirling Thunder Auditions
Audition Eligibility
All candidates must be accepted to Prairie View A&M prior to the audition. If a candidate has not applied, they should do so immediately. Applications can be completed online at The Undergraduate Admissions website. Note that candidates’ admission to Prairie View A&M University will be verified prior to the audition. A candidate who is a current University student must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater.
All candidates should be aware that Marching Storm Camp will be held beginning end of July and extend through the beginning of the Fall semester. It is possible that FRESHMEN members may be invited to attend the Marching Storm Summer Bridge Program beginning in early July. All parts of Marching Storm Camp are mandatory should a candidate be chosen as part of Twirling Thunder.
Audition Details
Pre-audition workshop is Friday, April 12th at the Hobart-Taylor Building Band Room, 1st floor on the Prairie View A&M University campus. This workshop is not mandatory but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Attendees will learn skills that will enhance audition performance during auditions.
The pre-audition workshop begins at 5:30 pm. Auditions take place on Saturday April 13th in the Leroy Moore Gymnasium, located behind the new Student Recreation Center. Check-in begins at 9:00 am. Audition routine instruction begins promptly at 10:00 am.
Results will be posted or emailed to candidates. Please make sure your email address is correct and can accept new emails.
Any questions or concerns about the audition and/or clinic dates, times, or procedures should be directed to Shawn Zachery, Interim Twirling Thunder Director, at smzachery@pvamu.edu.
* Students auditioning should bring a sack lunch or healthy snacks Sunday to eat while waiting their turn to audition.
Audition Application
In order to participate in auditions, candidates must complete the online application and submit a $25 application fee. The link to pay the fee is located at the end of the application. Once you submit your application you will receive an automated confirmation email. If you do not receive the automated email, there may have been a problem with your submission, and you’ll need to re-submit.
Audition Format
The auditions will be organized and scored in the following sections:
- Basic Skills and Travel Technique
- Demonstrated in small groups (see “Basics and Travel” below)
- Group Routines
- Candidates will be taught a brief routine at the audition, which will be performed in small groups. Candidates will be judged on their ability to learn choreography quickly, ability to memorize/retain, overall ability to perform in a group, technique and execution, and overall performance and showmanship.
- Stands
- Candidates ability to perform while attending to the details of the stands that are thrown.
Basics and Travel
Basic technique and travel fundamentals will be demonstrated in brief combinations consisting of the elements listed below. Candidates will be judged on overall skill proficiency, execution, and body placement/control.
- Drop Spins, Double Time, Cones, Singles, 45 Toss, Flat Toss
- Travel: Toe-Down Marching, 90’s, Jazz Runs, Jazz Walks, Chasse, Triplets, Step-touch Rocks
- Stands: Swamp, Neck
Attire
Audition attire is as follows: black jazz pants, leggings or warm-up pants. Black leotards or form fitted T-shirt (black or white, no lettering or logos), black jazz shoes or dance sneakers, or black or white tennis shoes. No boots or character shoes may be worn.
Hair, make-up, and accessories should be worn as the candidate feels is most appropriate for a performance with the Twirling Thunder
Equipment
Will be provided.