All Prospective members should email info@unitedpercussion.net for pre-registration. Audition materials and administrative information is available for download below.
All prospective members must attend at least one of the auditions.
The audition fee is $40.00 and is required prior to auditioning. The fee is non-refundable. There is no fee for downloading audition material. In fact we encourage you to download, learn and explore the materials.
All prospective members should download the administrative packet here. The packet contains your membership application, membership guide, and commitment agreement. The application is a form that you can fill in electronically and/or print, fill out and bring with you. We suggest that you fill it in electronically and pre-register. This will allow you to avoid lines at the audition and get right to drumming. You do not need to bring any other administrative forms to the audition.
If you are trying out for the Front Ensemble or the Concert Ensemble click here for the audition piece and exercise packet and guide. Please read through your guide and packet. Everything you need to know for the audition will be in there. Your focus on the day of will be technique, some exercises and your ensemble piece Edge of Desire. If you are trying out for Drumset please review the packet, learn Edge of Desire and be prepared to play various grooves, latin, afro-cuban, rock, funk, world). We suggest that everyone in the Front Ensemble learn the parts for the instrument you want to play and a back up.
If you are trying out for a section in the battery, click here for the technique packet, exercises and feature samples. Prospective Cymbal players should click here for the audition piece and technique guide.
All members should be prepared to play various skills exercises (ie snares/tenors/basses-accent to tap, triplet/duple sequence, flam check patters, grid sequencing; basses splits 2, 3 and 4's.
We also require that you prepare a short audition piece. The piece should be at least 1 minute and should "showcase" your talents for the staff. If you have "other" talents, unrelated to percussion, make sure you let us know, we want to know that too!
Auditions will take place on September 18, 2011, from 10am-6pm at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, 201 E Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462. If call backs are necessary they will be October 9, 2011 same time and location.
VIDEO AUDITIONS
You may audition for United via Video. Video auditions are available right away and are available until September 30, 2011. We do have specific requirements that need to be followed so please email info@unitedpercussion.net for details.
All prospective members should fill out the information below prior to coming to auditions.
Want more information?
Please fill out the form below.
FAQ's
I have corps/band practice that day, what should I do?
United understands that many of our potential members either march or teach. Therefore we allow members to schedule audition blocks. Simply email the staff at info@unitedpercussion.net and advise us of your situation and we will work with you to have you evaluated at a specific time. Although we recommend that you stay for the entire audition, you will be permitted to leave the audition after you are evaluated so that you may return to your rehearsal committment.
How old do I have to be to audition for United?
Auditions are open to anyone ages 14-22.
I am trying out for United, what should I bring to the audition?
Sticks, Water and Lunch. If you are trying out for the keyboard section, we will have mallets for you to use. You are welcome to bring your own. If you are trying out for Snare, Tenor or Bass, you should bring your own sticks. If you have your own drum and stand feel free to bring it. If you are trying out for the cymbal line, there will be cymbals available for use but you are more than welcome to bring your own set.
I am involved in other music related activities (ie, winter ensembles, drumcorps, etc) Can I still do United?
Most of United's members are Full time college or high school students who also participate in, DCI, DCA or other music oriented programs within their schools. United encourages our members to parcipate in "Music and Art" related activities and in most cases can coordinate a schedule with your outside activity to allow dual participation.
When do rehearsals begin and end?
United practices most weekends in the winters. The season begins at the end of November and lasts until the end of April. The unit practices on weekends from December through February. Click here for a more detailed schedule.
I really want to join United but I have some prior commitments that conflict with the schedule, what should I do?
In such a case, you should immediately bring the conflict to our attention, depending on the conflict we may be able to work out a schedule.
I live outside the suburban Philadelphia area, is United too far for me to travel?
Not at all. UP has had members from Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania. We rehearse just outside of the Philadelphia area. Several carpools are available.
How much does it cost to be a member?
We pride ourselves on keeping the cost to march as low as we can. The tour fee will be $1,100 for new members and $1,000 for veterans. In addition to this fee you will be required to participate in 3 unit fundraisers and pay for your cost to WGI Championships. The latter usually averages about $200 and is not due until the end of the season. We do offer a payment plan for to help with this fee. We also offer a $50 early payment discount for those who pay off by December 31, 2011. Additionally you should plan to pay for your own shoes, food and sometimes sticks. We do offer a food program which ranges from $10-$15 per weekend. Fundraising and Sponsorship opportunities are available. In our region, you won't find a better bang for your buck than United. For a copy of the 2011-2012 United World tuition schedule and options click here. The cost to be a member of United Concert is only $500 for the entire season (or about $20-25 per rehearsal/performance). The cost directly covers the cost of rehearsal facility, equipment, instruction and performance obligations.
