Tryouts for The Ohio State University Marching Band traditionally occur during the first half of September and last for four days. For those four days the practice field south of Ohio Stadium is filled with those trying out to earn one of the coveted 225 spots within the OSUMB. Unlike most college bands every member of the marching must tryout to either earn or regain a spot within the band. Every year, there are 225 open spots in the band. This unique aspect of the band means that candidates and veterans are on the same footing and it is not unheard of for an upperclassman to be cut if a candidate marches better than that upperclassman. Tryouts are very competitive, so it is essential to have a positive attitude, a will to improve throughout tryouts, and to be prepared as best as possible.
Music Audition Click below to view the 2004 season try-out sheets. 2004 Trombone Audition Sheet Summer Sessions Click below to view the 2004 Summer Session Video. Summer Session Video	To help candidates prepare themselves for tryouts, the marching band holds candidate days two days prior to tryouts. During these two days, a Sunday and Monday, candidates are taught the fundamentals of the band from count 1 by the squad leaders for each row. Squad leaders give advice and guidance to candidates but do not evaluate candidates during candidate days. Many candidates find these two days extremely helpful in preparing for tryouts for squad leaders can give more personalized attention to each candidate and it calms any pre-tryout jitters.
After candidate days are completed tryouts occur. Tryouts, held on a Tuesday and Wednesday, test your playing ability, marching ability and your ability to combine both of those aspects using the fundamentals of the OSUMB. On the Tuesday morning of tryouts music auditions take place with faculty of the Ohio State University School of Music serving as judges. They usually ask for a scale using up to four flats or sharps, a chromatic scale, a few schools songs, etudes from the tryout sheet distributed to all those trying out for the band, and a short sight reading exercise. The marching portion of tryouts is divided into four marching sessions each consisting of an "on the line" drill against another candidate and a block band drill where your abilities to combine good playing with the marching style used by the OSUMB is evaluated. Both the "on the line" drill and the block band drills are evaluated by the squad leaders. The band is announced later that evening in the Steinbrenner Band Center rehearsal hall.
F Row and Q Row have historically had very talented candidate pools so good preparation and confidence are integral. Another way to prepare besides candidate days is attendance at summer sessions [Click here to watch a video of 2004 Summer Session Highlights]; informal practices held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer. These practices allow candidates and vets to get into shape for tryouts and to polish and learn the fundamentals of the OSUMB. While candidate days are required, summer attendance is not, though it is only to your benefit to attend to maximize your preparations for tryouts. Again, attendance is not required but strongly recommended. If you are unable to make summer sessions, but would still like extra advice and guidance, F and Q row are very willing to meet candidates and help with fundamentals. F and Q row encourage you to…TRYOUT FOR THE BAND!!!!!
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