Color Guard Auditions

Saturday, May 3, 2025
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Haas Center for Performing Arts, Room 1515 (Band Room)

Register for Your Color Guard Audition

• Submission of Form Due by Friday, May 2, 2025
• All auditionees must attend the entire day!
• All accepted members must register for MUS 107 (marching band). This is a one (1) credit class.
• Full-time students at area colleges/universities may audition (See Information below).
• If any person auditioning for the Laker Marching Band is under the age of 18 on May 3, 2025, they are required to have a parent/guardian with them on campus during the listed audition time (9:00am-4:00pm).
  • Those under the age of 18 who are unable to have a parent/guardian present during the listed audition time of 9:00am – 4:00pm can submit a video audition. Please email [email protected] for more information about the video audition option.

Non-GVSU Students Attending Area Colleges/Universities

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY and applies to those who marched in the Laker Marching Band in 2023 and before.

Non-GVSU students who are attending at area colleges/universities full-time:

• Can audition for the Laker Marching Band.
  • Complete the steps listed above in the "Color Guard Audition" section.
• Upon a successful audition, complete the Guest Application to GVSU, be admitted by GVSU, register for MUS 107, and pay the for the cost of the course.
  • Returning Guest Students of the Laker Marching Band do not have to re-audition but must complete the online "Intent to March" form located under "Members Only" on the LMB Homepage.
  • Returning Guest Students must complete the Guest Application, be admitted by GVSU, register for MUS 107, and pay for the cost of the course.

• The Guest Application to GVSU, information, and instructions can be found on the website linked below:
  • GUEST STUDENTS AT GVSU
  • The course number for the GVSU Marching Band is MUS 107 Section 01
  • The cost of 1 credit hour at GVSU for 2023-24 is $614 (2023-24).  

Audition Process

The GVSU Laker Marching Band Color Guard Auditions for prospective members and LMB returners will be conducted in person:

• Complete and Submit your online Color Guard Audition Registration Form
  • The online form must be submitted before the Saturday audition date.
• Review the Color Guard Audition Youtube Video entitled, "Flag Warm Up" and the count-notes listed in the in video description and in the Count Notes Section below.
  • The Youtube video link can be found in the "Audition Material" section. 
  • Mastery of technique and following the count-notes are keys to a successful audition.
• Auditions will also include learning a new routine and performing the routine in groups.
  • Attention to learning concepts and technique with openness to critique and a positive work are additional keys to a successful audition.

Additional Information:

• All accepted members must register for MUS 107 (marching band). This is a one (1) credit class.
• Full-time students at area colleges/universities may audition. Contact Dr. John Martin at [email protected] or call 616-331-2942.

Mandatory Color Guard Camp

Mandatory Summer Day Camp

• All members of the 2024 Laker Marching Band Color Guard MUST attend the Summer Color Guard Camp on Saturday, July 12, 2025 (9:00am - 6:00pm).

Flag Warm Up - Count-Notes

Flag warmup: CVA by Dancing on Pluto

(40 counts - Drop Spins in lunges)
Hold first 16 counts. squeeze 15, right shoulder 16
8 counts drop spins 1st position
8 counts drop spins left lunge 8 counts drop spins 1st position
8 counts drop spins right lunge
8 counts drop spins 1st position

(16 counts - Drop Spins with tondues)
Continue drop spins, moving forward
Left tondue, in (look left)
Right tondue, in (look right)
Left tondue, in (look left)
Right tondue, in (look right)
Continue drop spins, moving backward
Right tondue, in (look right)
Left tondue, in (look left)
Right tondue, in (look right)
Left tondue, in (look left)

 

(con't) 

(16 counts - Drop Spins with Jazz square)
Left (drag right foot into coupe)
Back (drag left foot into coupe)
Left (drag right root into coupe)
Front (drag left foot into coupe)
Back( drag right foot into coupe)
Right(drag left foot into coupe)
Front (drag right foot into coupe)
Right (drag left foot into 1st position)

(36 counts - Drop Spins, Double Fast, Thumb Flip, Flourish Sequence-2x, 4 count cone)
4 drop spins in 1st position
4 speed spins
4 thumb flips
4 count flourish
4 drop spins
4 speed spins
4 thumb flips
4 count flourish to right present
4 count cone to the front

(20 counts - Cones with lower body)
4 count cone while doing a Ronde de Jambe (leg circle) to face left 45
Rotate body to face back 45, 4 count cone
4 count cone while doing a Ronde de Jambe to face opposite back 45
Rotate body to face right 45, 4 count cone
Lift left leg to face front in 2nd position, 4 count cone.

(con't)

(60 counts - Pull Hits into Pop Toss)
Replace hands to start pull hits from tape and bottom cheater:
1-2 pull hit
3 hold
4 hold
5-6 pull hit
7 hold
8 hold
9-10 pull hit
11-12 pull hit
13-14 pull hit
15-16 pull hit
1-2 pull angle
3 hold
4 hold
5-6 pull angle
7 hold
8 hold
9-10 pull angle
11-12 pull angle
13-14 pull angle
15-16 pull angle
1-2 pull flat
3 hold
4 hold
5-6 pull flat
7 hold
8 hold
9-10 pull flat
11-12 pull flat
13-14 pull flat
15-16 pull flat
1-2 pull hit
3-4 pull angle
5-6 pull flat
7-8 pull hit
9-12 pop toss
End

If you would like to get more information about the Laker Marching Band, please contact the Dr. John Martin at (616) 331-2942 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please leave a voicemail if your call is not answered!