<p>I'm a senior in high school who's really looking forward to joining the Blue Band. I'm a drummer in my school's drumline. How competitive is the drumline at PSU? How grueling are the tryouts? Is it true that people around campus admire Blue Band members?</p>
<p>Can’t speak for the drumline as my son is a 3rd year trumpet player, but will try to give you some info.</p>
<p>(1) - All sections of the BB are highly competitive, but it does vary a bit from year to year. Do whatever you need to do to be at your best come audition time. Be prepared.</p>
<p>(2) The tryouts are tough, but not impossible. Rookies audition on the Tuesday before school starts. There is a music audition and a marching audition. Marching practice/auditions continue thru Wed, which is when returning BB members audition. Note: everyone has to re-audition every year. I believe final cuts are made on Thursday (altho some cuts are made before that).</p>
<p>(3) Yes - the BB members are very well-respected on and off campus. My son is in a top 12 drum corps and wears his BB sweatshirt whenever he travels in the winter to drum corps camps. He is frequently stopped by people who tell him how much they love the Blue Band. </p>
<p>A couple of additional notes - </p>
<p>(1) If you have a chance to visit the campus - make it a point to visit the Band Hall. There is almost always someone around to show you the facility and answer questions. </p>
<p>(2) If you make it - be prepared for the time commitment. They practice MWF afternoon (I think from 4-6) and on Tuesday evenings (from 7-10). Then, there are pep rallys the evening before games and game day can be an all-day event (from morning practice thru the end of the game and returning to the band hall). If you make the band, most advisers are able to work around scheduling conflicts. </p>
<p>(3) If you DON’T make the BB - it’s not the end of the world. You can sign up for the Pep Band (which does the men’s basketball and women’s volleyball games). That is a great way to learn the songs, get to know people, get some more experience - and have fun</p>
<p>I can honestly say that being part of the BB has been a major highlight of my son’s experience at Penn State. His 3 best friends are fellow trumpet players. </p>
<p>Good luck!!!</p>
<p>On difficulty:
Apparently, piccolo and drumline typically are the hardest sections to get in, especially if it’s your first year trying. Now obviously it depends on how many are graduating, how many are coming back, but when I went out for piccolo this year, there were about 20 of us going for 4 spots. Just to give you an idea.
My best advice for you is practice like you’ve never practiced before. From what I’ve heard, you can teach someone how to march but you can’t teach musicianship. Although some physical conditioning definitely doesn’t hurt.</p>
<p>Have you seen the Making the Blue Band documentary? It gives you a glimpse into what goes on during tryouts and camp.</p>
<p>sugarsweets - you’re right that piccolo is particularly difficult because of the limited number of spots.</p>
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<p>Yes! My junior daughter loves the Blue Band!</p>
<p><<yes! my="" junior="" daughter="" loves="" the="" blue="" band!="">></yes!></p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>There are also some great/fun YouTube videos about the Blue Band - from band camp and from games. I will try to find some good ones.</p>
<p>Adding -
Here’s a video from Fall 2010 that I have shared with a few others. It’s great fun and really gives you a feel for what it’s like to be part of the Blue Band.</p>
<p><a href=“The Penn State Pregame Experience - YouTube”>The Penn State Pregame Experience - YouTube;
<p>And please note everyone in long sleeves and jackets…and those poor dance team gals in their bare shoulders! Oh - I am such a Southern Belle wimp!!!</p>
<p>The Penn State Blue Band is one of the nation’s premier college marching bands. Follow eight freshmen hopefuls through auditions, cuts, and the grueling days of band camp to find out who has what it takes to make the band.
Link to youtube video:
[Making</a> the Blue Band - YouTube](<a href=“Making the Blue Band - YouTube”>Making the Blue Band - YouTube)</p>
<p>It seems really tough to make! To be honest, I don’t know if I’ll make it</p>
<p>FutureDoc - you won’t ever know unless you try!</p>
<p>Go for it!!!</p>