Join the Band
Become a Band Member for a Day!
During the school year, we offer several opportunities for prospective students to
come and spend the day in the life of a band member. Visit campus in the fall and
enjoy performing with the band at one of our home football games. Join us in the spring
to perform with the band at a double header men and women’s basketball game and a
men's hockey game.
Click here for a list of upcoming events and to register!
Scholarship Opportunities
• $3,000 awarded annually for co-curricular participation in the band, drumline and
color guard
• ILMEA and MMEA band participants of at least the District level are eligible to receive the maximum award of $5,000 for participation
• Band awards stack on top of academic awards.
Click HERE to learn how being a good student can really pay off!
How to Set Up Your Scholarship Audition
1. Apply and be accepted to McKendree University.
2. Submit an online Audition Form. After receiving your Music Audition Request, the band director will coordinate your audition process through a confirmation e-mail.
3. Read the Audition Requirements and download the required Audition Music as specified in your confirmation e-mail. Those parts are also seen below.
4. Prepare for your performance! Your final step will be auditioning for the McKendree Music Faculty either in person or as a video submission.
At this time, we are accepting music audition registrations for:
***Click to register for an audition day!***
Feeling nervous? Not sure what to expect?
Please refer to the following mock audition videos performed by current members to prepare for your Scholarship Audition. Your entire playing time should be less than 5 minutes and only 1 minute and 30 seconds if you are in guard.
*Videos of current Winter Guard performances are also acceptable for color guard
Part 1: The Fight Song - "Our McKendree" Links
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Choose and perform ONE of the following etudes as well as ONE additional 16 bar excerpt from a piece of your choice.
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If your instrument is NOT LISTED BELOW, you will perform TWO contrasting 16 bar excerpts (1 technical and 1 lyrical) from something you have studied in private lessons or worked on in band.
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PERCUSSIONISTS are encouraged to perform their chosen excerpts on TWO different instruments (e.g. snare and drum set).
To submit a Video Audition, we recommend uploading your video to YouTube as an unlisted video. Unlisted means
that only people who know the link to your video can view it. An unlisted video will
not appear in any of YouTube's public spaces, like your channel, search results, or
the homepage. It's up to you to maintain the privacy of your video and the unlisted
URL. Even though your video will not appear anywhere in public, links to the video
could still appear elsewhere on the web if anyone who knows the video's URL shares
it.
How do I create an unlisted video?
1. Record the video via phone, tablet or video camera
2. Sign into or create your YouTube account
3. Click on the Upload button at the top of the page.
4. You'll see the option to make the video Public, Unlisted, or Private.
5. Select Unlisted.
6. Select the video you'd like to upload from your computer.
7. While the video is processing, edit the Basic Info and click Done when you are finished
How do I share an unlisted video?
To share an unlisted video, just copy the URL and email the link to the director. They will also be your contact if you have any technical questions about the video sharing process.
