<p>I was admitted to the School of Engineering for the class of 2015. And I recently signed up for the Spirit of Gold Marching Band. Thing is....even though I was first chair french horn for most of middle school/freshmen year in high school, I stopped playing after switching high schools due to course schedule conflicts....So...I haven't played French Horn for over 3 years now. I was wondering if it is at all possible to make it into the Marching Band? I was thinking about renting a Horn for a couple months over the summer to practice, but will that be enough? </p>
<p>Thanks for your input and advice guys, greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine. The “auditions” are basically to ensure that you can read music, not to weed people out to a set number. Every year a few people even switch instruments (because they want to learn something new, more sousas are needed, etc.), and there are always a few new members who have never marched before and they do fine. If you want to practice a little over the summer to get your chops back, feel free to, but don’t feel pressured.</p>
<p>Fleeting - I’m going to do marching band as well! I played all during high school, but I’m not exactly the best. Hoping the “auditions” go well haha</p>
<p>Hey Fleeting, I’m a member of the School of Engineering’s class of 2015 too, and I’d love to march alongside you this fall! I hope it all works out :)</p>
<p>I’m actually the section leader for the french horns (mellophones) next year at Vanderbilt, and really randomly stumbled across this thread since my sister is a senior waiting to hear from Vanderbilt. What a weird coincidence…</p>
<p>Join!! You’ll be fine playing wise, I promise. Even if the next time you play is at band camp in August, you’ll be playing so much that you’ll regain your strength in no time. It won’t be a big deal at all. I am really excited to hear that we have some more Vandy freshman interested in joining. Do it! You almost certainly won’t regret it.</p>
<p>I know you said you signed up to join, but feel free to email <a href=“mailto:vuband@vanderbilt.edu”>vuband@vanderbilt.edu</a> and ask them any questions you might have about move in or whatever. Or you can reply here.</p>
I am really excited to hear that we have some more Vandy freshman interested in joining. Do it! You almost certainly won’t regret it.</p>