Brass and Woodwind Auditions
You must submit the Athletic Band Audition Request Form to be eligible to submit an audition video.
Brass and Woodwind Audition Requirements
Please note ALL marching band instruments are a mandatory rental. This is because the CMB has a matched set of instruments. These instruments will not be available until Band Camp in August.
Brass and Woodwind audition videos will be accepted until midnight on June 1, 2025. We suggest that you do not wait until the deadline to submit your video.
A brass and woodwind video audition submission must contain the following elements.
- Short introduction of yourself.
- Two octave major scale as follows:
- Trumpet: C scale (B-flat concert) to player's range
- Horn / Mellophone: F or G scale (B-flat or C-concert) to player's range
- Trombone / Baritone: F scale (G for treble clef Baritone)
- Tuba: F scale
- Tenor Saxophone: C scale (B-flat concert)
- Alto Saxophone: C scale (E-flat concert)
- Piccolo / Flute: F scale
- Clarinet: C scale (B-flat concert)
- Play Dear Old Nebraska U (There Is No Place Like Nebraska) preferably from memory.
You may play the recording of the fight song to help you prepare for the audition. Please note that this recording is the property of the university and may not be used for any other purpose without the express written permission of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The audition music and instructions for submitting video auditions will be sent to each candidate via email. Send an email to band@unl.edu if you have questions or have trouble uploading your video.
Brass and Woodwind Audition Procedure
- All elements must be done in one continuous, un-edited take.
- The video must be made between the fall of 2024 and June 1, 2025.
- Your face, fingers, valves, keys, or slides must be visible at all times.
- Save the file using your instrument and name, for example: Trumpet John Doe.
Frequently Asked Questions
- The prepared solo requirement has been eliminated for 2025 to reduce video file size.
- The recording of Dear Old Nebraska U (There is No Place Like Nebraska) is for preparation only. Do not record yourself playing along with that recording.
- Students auditioning for piccolo and mellophone may play the audition on flute or French horn
Percussion Auditions
The in person audition date is Saturday, May 10 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
You may submit an audition video if you are unable to attend the in person audition day.
You must submit the Athletic Band Audition Request Form to be eligible audition in person or submit an audition video.
New to the Cornhusker Marching Band
Register for an Audition
Veteran Cornhusker Marching Band Members
Veteran Registration Form
Percussion Audition Requirements
All percussion candidates (new and veteran) must attend the May 10 audition day on campus or submit a video audition. Video submissions will be accepted if circumstances prevent individuals from being on campus to audition.
This is a competitive group and a big commitment. It is highly recommended that you audition on more than one instrument to increase your chances for success. All candidates, except section and rank leaders, are required to complete the audition process. All spots are open and no spots are guaranteed.
The final percussion section roster will be determined after the video submission deadline and the last audition date. Results will be emailed to all candidates.
Percussion Audition Instructions
Download the audition materials and the Percussion Handbook by clicking on the link below. Use this information to prepare for the May 10 audition or to create your audition video if you are unable to attend the in person audition.
CMB Percussion Audition Materials
Questions? Contact Jacob Wrobel, CMB Percussion Instructor. Be sure to include your full name.
Color Guard Auditions
The in person Color Guard audition dates are Saturday, May 10, and May 24 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
You may attend one or both sessions. If you are not able to audition in person, you are welcome to submit an audition video.
You must submit the Athletic Band Audition Request Form to be eligible audition in person or submit an audition video.
A video of the audition routine, involving both flag work and dance, will be sent via email to registered candidates. Candidates will be expected to learn the routine from the video on their own time prior to the audition date. There will be time built into the audition day schedule for specific questions regarding the routine. Candidates will also be expected to demonstrate basic flag fundamentals, marching and jazz run on the day of auditions. Please wear black, relatively form-fitting clothing so that body moves and position can be adequately evaluated. Candidates may use our equipment during the audition, however, we do not loan poles and silks for audition preparation prior to the audition date.
The in person Color Guard audition dates are Saturday, May 10, and May 24 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The in-person audition sessions will take place in Cook Pavilion on campus. Candidates may choose to submit a video audition if unable to participate in the in-person audition.
Video auditions are acceptable if an on-campus audition is impossible. A choreographed routine, involving both flag work and dance, will be sent via email to the candidate. The candidate will have approximately one week to prepare, record and send their video audition to the band staff. Please frame the camera so that both the hands and feet are visible at all times. Wear black, relatively form-fitting clothing so that body moves and position can be adequately evaluated. Performance videos are not accepted for color guard auditions.
New to the Cornhusker Marching Band
Register for an Audition
Veteran Cornhusker Marching Band Members
Veteran Registration Form
Twirler Auditions
Video submissions only.
You must submit the Athletic Band Audition Request Form to be eligible to submit an audition video.
The 2025 twirler auditions will be via video only. Performance videos are acceptable only if it is a solo performance by the twirler candidate.
We are looking for a twirler that is a versatile and exciting performer. We expect candidates to perform a routine utilizing more than one piece of equipment choreographed to your choice of music. Please vary the equipment among multiple baton, knives, hoops, etc. Fire batons are not allowed for this audition.
New to the Cornhusker Marching Band
Register for an Audition
Veteran Cornhusker Marching Band Members
Veteran Registration Form
Twirler Audition Videos due by midnight on Friday, February 28,2025.
The twirler audition video should contain the following elements.
- Briefly introduce yourself and describe the highlights of your twirling career.
- Please frame the video camera so that both the hands and feet are visible at all times.
- Record a two to four minute routine utilizing more than one apparatus.
- All elements of the video must be done in one continuous, un-edited take.
- The audition video must be recorded between the fall of 2024 and February 28, 2025.
- Save the file using your instrument and name, for example: Twirler Jane Doe.
Instructions for submitting video auditions will be sent to each candidate via email. Send an email to band@unl.edu if you have questions or trouble uploading your video.