Front Ensemble Information

The front ensemble consists of the mallet and auxiliary instruments normally positioned at the front of the mat that remain stationary during the show. Instruments in the frontline include marimbas, vibes, xylophone, glock, synthesizer (computer), bass guitar, piano, concert bass drum, etc.

The placement process for the front ensemble will be similar to previous years.  In an effort to better prepare students for the   frontline auditions and hopefully put them a little more at ease we offer help/practice sessions, students will have the opportunity to come in and practice and receive feedback and training from some of our front ensemble staff and veterans. Students are welcome to come and go as needed.  These are not mandatory.  The auditions will be small group auditions.

Students have the opportunity to audition for a mallet part, electronics part, and/or an auxiliary percussion part.  Students will only be placed in the part of the front ensemble that they audition for.  Students should understand that there will only be 2-4 auxiliary parts and 3-4 available electronics parts with the majority of the front ensemble as mallet parts. 

Clinics Dates/Times

Monday November 4 - 6:00-9:30 pm

Saturday November 6 - 9:00am-Noon

Optional Practice Session

Thursday November 9 - 7:15-9:00 pm

Placement Auditions

Monday November 11 - 6:00-6:45 pm

Audition materials are all in the handbook (see below) and a paper copy of the handbook will be distributed at clinics.

Students should look at the following exercises: 

1. Elbow Grease (Tempo: Eighth note = 90-140) 

• • Mallets/Electronics: 3 Scales from the following list (C, G, D, F, Bb)

  • Aux: Concert Snare Regular and Variation 1, Bass Drum Regular

2. Grid: (Tempo: Eighth note = 55-100) 

• •  Mallets/Electronics: 3 Scales from the following list (C, G, D, F, Bb)

  • Aux: Regular (learn concert snare and bass drum parts)

3. Broccoli (A-B only): (Tempo: Eighth note = 60-90) 

• • Mallets/Electronics: Choose between 2 or 4 mallet part (beginner/advanced)

  • Aux: Learn 2 of Bass Drum, Cymbal, and Tom parts