Battery Snare Drums: Innovative Percussion Tom Rarick (FS-TR) x2 (3 Pairs Recommended https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-tom-rarick-fstr 

Tenor Drums: Innovative Percussion Tom Rarick (FS-TR) x1 (2 Pairs Recommended) https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-tom-rarick-fstr Innovative Percussion Paul Rennick (TS-PR) x1 (2 Pairs Recommended) https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-percussion-paul-rennick-multi-stick 

Bass drums

https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-marching-bass-mallets-fbx1

Battery players should also purchase a roll of white stick tape. https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/white-liberty-one-stick-tape 

Front Ensemble Marimba: Innovative Percussion Field Series Soft (FS150) x2 https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-field-marimba-fs150 Innovative Percussion Jim Casella Hard (IP1003) x1 (2 Pairs Recommended) https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-jim-casella-ip1003

 OPTIONAL/RECOMMENDED Innovative Percussion Tom Rarick Medium Soft Marimba (IP3002) https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-tom-rarick-ip3002 

Innovative Percussion Tom Rarick Hard Marimba (IP3004) https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-tom-rarick-ip3004 

Vibraphone: Innovative Percussion Jim Casella Hard Birch (IP1006B) x2 https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-jim-casella-birch-ip1006b-hard-cord-viber aphone-mallets 

Innovative Percussion Medium Birch (AA25B) x1 (2 Pairs Recommended) https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-aa25b-medium-vibraphone-mallet 

OPTIONAL/RECOMMENDED Innovative Percussion Tom Rarick Medium Vibraphone (3006) https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-aa25b-medium-vibraphone-mallet 

Innovative Percussion Tom Rarick Medium Vibraphone (3006) https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-tom-rarick-ip3006 

Xylophone: Innovative James Ross Hard Xylo/Bell Mallets (IP904) x2 https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-james-ross-ip904 

Innovative Percussion Orchestral Series Forte Xylo/Bell (OS4) x1 (2 Pairs Recommended) https://www.steveweissmusic.com/products/innovative-percussion-os4 

All brass, woodwinds, and percussion need to tryout for marching band. The audition will consist of marching basics you will learn at the rookie camp rehearsals and the playing test will consist of an etude which is listed below (Title is Free play-sightreading factory and then the instrument) , scales (concert F, Bb, Eb, Ab (two octave for flute clarinet and mallets, arpeggios as well), and sightreading. We will try to audition everybody at the last rookie camp meeting (5/11 for winds, 5/21 for percussion). Etude should be played at 85bpm. Bonus point for writing in counts of etude and writing in the notes affected by the key (For ex. if it is the key of Bb then you would mark the Bs and Es flat. The marching portion for the audition is described under the tab Marching Band Assessment on this page.

• There will be two time windows for challenges for the contest band - the week of 8/18 and 9/15. 

• To challenge, you must not have any unexcused absences from after-school practice.  

• The challenge will consist of playing the music along to YouTube while doing stepouts. 

• Students will be graded on their execution of both music and marching stepouts.  

There is a solo for trumpet and mellophone in the 3rd movement of the marching show. The soloist will be the first chair in the symphonic band. If you want to try out for the solo, follow the sit-down band challenge system. 

Marching Assessment Overview & Rubric

This section explains the process and expectations for your upcoming marching assessment. You will be evaluated on your ability to perform core marching fundamentals — both with and without playing your instrument — using consistent commands and proper visual technique.

Assessment Categories & Weights

• Stationary Positions – 20%

• Marching Without Playing – 35%

• Marching While Playing (Exercise 3A) – 45%

1. Stationary Positions

You will begin at Parade Rest. On command, you will move to Attention, followed by Horns Up. These will be evaluated for posture, uniformity, and responsiveness.

Scoring Criteria (1–5):

• Parade Rest
Feet shoulder-width apart
Chest high, shoulders down and relaxed

• Attention
Instrument position
Body
Feet Together
Shoulders down and relaxed
Head up

• Horns Up / Horns Down
Horn angle

2. Marching Without Playing

On command, you will complete the following sequence:

1. Forward March – 8 counts (8-to-5 step)

2. Mark Time – 8 counts

3. Backwards March – 8 counts (8-to-5 step)

4. Mark Time – 8 counts

5. Halt

You will be evaluated using the BIFS rubric, which focuses on key elements of marching technique:

🔹 BIFS Definitions

• B – Body Carriage: Stand tall with upright posture and strong core support. The upper body should remain stable and balanced throughout all movement.

• I – Instrument Position: Keep the horn angle high, steady, and consistent. Avoid sagging or bouncing as you move.

• F – Foot Technique: 

Forward March: Use a proper roll step (heel-to-toe) for smooth, quiet steps.

Backward March: Keep your heels elevated — steps should roll from toe to ball of the foot without the heel touching.

• S – Step Size: Maintain a consistent 8-to-5 stride. Avoid short, inconsistent, or lunging steps. 22.5 inch step

3. Marching While Playing Exercise 3A

You will repeat the same marching sequence while performing Exercise 3A on your instrument. This tests your ability to maintain musical and visual control simultaneously.

Scoring Criteria (1–5):

• Tone & Pitch Accuracy

• Marching Consistency While Playing

• Breath Control

• Rhythm Stability

4. Marching While Playing Exercise Bb scale

You will repeat the same marching sequence while performing Bb scale on your instrument. This tests your ability to maintain musical and visual control simultaneously.

Order of playing

• Mark Time for 8 counts while playing two Bb whole notes

• Step off playing the ascending Bb scale in quarter notes

• Mark Time for 8 counts while playing two Bb whole notes

• Back March 8 counts while decending the Bb scale

• Mark Time for 8 counts while playing two Bb whole notes

Scoring Criteria (1–5):

• Tone & Pitch Accuracy

• Marching Consistency While Playing

• Breath Control

• Rhythm Stability

Additional Notes

Rehearse each phase regularly to develop consistency. Focus on posture, step size, timing, and tone quality — these fundamentals will determine your success in both visual performance and musical accuracy.