<p>Ohh, yeah, by un-band related I meant stuff I would've written had I just done a normal appeal...yeah I'm not really sure what I"m supposed to do anymore a;skdx<em>x
I actually am trying to get on the colorguard...but my school's band director knows me, but I'm thinking maybe I should get my previous guard instructor to do a rec.? I also found out from my friend who is doing a band appeal also that my guard instructor knows the UCLA guard instructor from fall 08 (not sure if he is teaching this year too)....so yeah. I"m trying not to think too hard about all this stuff this week since I have finals to concentrate on -</em>__- but the band appeal deadline seems like it's so soon!</p>
<p>I wonder how many people are actually doing band/colorguard appeals this year? Hopefully not that many, because not that many know of this kind of opportunity....I just stumbled upon this thing called "Band Appeal" on some forums and the UCLA Marching Band Website and I was like "WHAT?!?!? That's so cool...I'll do it!"...No wonder why around only 50 people appealed through the band, but I'm just nervous how many will do it this year....
-_- yeah, it's so soon...the deadline is like in 2 1/2 weeks....and lucky for you that you're doing colorguard, now i need to choose and film or record a piece of music...</p>
<p>Hahahaa, hopefully there won't be too many people..especially since there've been lots of posts about previous band appeal success stories. sigh.
No, not lucky, I need to go choreo. a routine x__X that Gordon would hopefully like.....ah!
and hopefully they have a lot of graduating college seniors this year, and Gordon will need lots of new members this fall ;P</p>
<p>hey bruinj! i hope i see you on the field next fall :)</p>
<p>in all honesty i've never known someone to get into UCLA through a colorguard appeal before (i am not saying it doesn't happen, maybe people have just never tried?) so i wish you the BEST of LUCK and if you make it in you will not regret it! just do your best with your tape, we already have a very large guard so you need to make a compelling case. if you have leadership experience in guard, stress that. future captain material can't hurt lol! at the very least you should demonstrate that you want to be on the UCLA guard for many years, it's your passion, you're a true performer, you're dedicated and focused, etc. put your best foot (and flag) forward. i'll keep my fingers crossed for you!</p>
<p>also, for your routine: simple and clean and efficient. do tricks if you can, do tosses if you can, show off your best technique, but gordon is not versed in flagwork so he can't tell level of difficulty. just make it look good, and clean! don't go nuts over it. borrow something you already know and perfect it- less stress for you, and highly effective :)</p>
<p>we had 23 members this past year (the biggest guard in 3 years that i've been there). it's usually around 16-18 people.
5 graduating seniors, of the remaining 18 i know at least a dozen will return.
i just figure, the more you know, the more prepared you can be.</p>
<p>@ liyana-- Oh no, hopefully it's because not many people have tried through colorguard! :/ Unfortunately, I was never captain...and I didn't spin the last 2 years. :/ but I practice every so often, and I have a legitimate reason as to why I haven't spun..so I will explain that in the letter to Gordon. However I did win a few awards (individual and team) so hopefully Gordon will consider that? I definitely would love to spin at UCLA though. ^_^
But are yousure you will have a big guard next fall? I heard from people in previous years that guard often has a hard time getting new members..
One last question, do you know if Jose Rincon will be teaching fall 09 again?? Because my guard instructor knows him I think so maybe a few connections may help..?
Sorry to bombard you with questions...I"m just spazzzzzing out! But thank you so much for the solo advice..I was ready to add in some crazy stuff xP Any other advice you have , liyana, please message me? TY you will be my best friend at LA if I get in next year...:)</p>
<p>no worries on the not being captain/spinning last 2 years thing. we have had people people join guard who have never spun before (of course, they got into UCLA first...)
don't be apologetic for what you did not do. just explain that while you took some time off, it's still something you're really interested in. (heck, i didn't spin at all my senior year, and that's what made me realize i missed it so much!)</p>
<p>i don't know what size guard gordon is looking to have next fall. i am not quite sure why we ended up with such a big one this year, it seems atypical. he also doesn't tend to write us a lot of spots in the drill, usually 16 spots max (so additional members will be alternates). count on being an alternate if you do make it in.</p>
<p>as for jose, he's been our coach twice now, which is the longest we've ever had the same coach. he wants to come back, but i do not know if he will for sure return (he's a really busy guy). he's got no say over who gets let in, so i'm not sure how much that will help you.</p>
<p>in your routine, do what you are comfortable with. smile, keep your focus up (have a big presence like you're at the rose bowl. perform!!) pay attention to detail. and don't spaz out, just do your best :)</p>
<p>so when are you guys submitting your band appeal???</p>
<p>Thank you so much, liyana! One more question...What kind of music do you think I should use for my routine...and that might please Gordon more? (Like a softer, prettier/darker, faster song with slower/faster flag moves?) Any advice you have for me from your experience with Gordon in UCLA guard would be greaaatly appreciated!:]</p>
<p>MarciMar, I will definitely send it before April 7th...most likely that weekend.</p>
<p>Since the 7th is a Tuesday, so you mean the 4th and 5th(Saturday & Sunday)???? I'm SO nervous....hopefully we'll get in......:/</p>
<p>Good Luck to everybody trying to get into Marching Band. :)</p>
<p>wish us luck not only into the marching band, but having to be admitted first into the school.....</p>
<p>Band Mom: For the brass audition piece, will the tuba part of a march be acceptable, or should I be practicing a solo?</p>
<p>That's what I'm wondering too...which one would be more impressive???</p>
<p>@ bruinj- keep it more upbeat. this isn't a winterguard, it's a colorguard. do something that lets you perform as you might in a fieldshow. </p>
<p>and don't put too much thought into it, just make it something you can do well!</p>
<p>Locke19, my son played the 1st trumpet part of a march when he did his audition. Any etude, solo, concerto excerpt or march would probably be acceptable as long as it is played with confidence. Play anything from your repertoir that best displays your abilities. UCLA's sousaphone line has grown over the past few years, now they can outblast any other band (i.e. U$C) at the football games. ;) </p>
<p>One other thing, my son submitted his audition on tape rather than doing it live. He wanted to get it submitted early so as to beat the rush of people auditioning during summer orientation. If you are prone to stage fright during auditions, you might want to consider this.</p>
<p>^ Thanks a lot! I'll probably play the sousaphone part for my band's march. I don't have to worry too much about stage fright, since this is just a competition piece.</p>
<p>Gosh brass instruments have it SOOO easy.....Mr. Henderson loves his brass(especially trumpets....cuz he's a trumpet too....)...that's why there are so many of them in the band...Poor woodwinds.....you can barely hear them in the fight song....Hopefully I'll break the trend......</p>
<p>^ Psh. Not likely. We brass will out-play you from here to next Tuesday.</p>