Color Guard Audition Information
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-5:00pm).
- Those under the age of 18 who are unable to have a parent/guardian present during the listed audition time of 9:00am – 5:00pm can submit a video audition. Please email GVSULMB@gvsu.edu 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.
- NEW AS OF APRIL 4, 2025 - Review the Color Guard Audition Youtube Videos entitled, "Flag Warm Up 1, 2, 3, and 4" and the count-notes listed in the Audition Materials section below.
- The Flag Warm Up Videos 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the associated notes will prepare you to perform to Taylor Swift's "Out of the Woods" video that is linked in the Audition Materials section below.
- 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 marjohnt@gvsu.edu 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).
Audition Materials
Flag Warm Up YouTube Audition Videos
Flag Warm Up Part 1
Flag Warm Up Part 2
Flag Warm Up Part 3
Flag Warm Up Part 4
Taylor Swift - Out of the Woods
Flag Warm Up - Counts/Notes
Flag Warm Up
Taylor Swift - "Out of the Woods"
Instrumental 16 counts
1-4 hold
5-8 slow up to right shoulder
1-8 drop spins in first position
Verse 1 64 counts, 8 sets of 8
Drop spins; move feet on 1s
1st: lunge left
2nd: first position
3rd: lunge right
4th: first position
5th-8th: repeat
Chorus 1 32 counts
1-4 drop spins
5-8 double fast (down, flat, up, flat)
9-12 thumb flips (down, up, down, up), left arm palm down, out parallel to ground
13-16 flourish
1-16 repeat
(con't)
Instrumental 8 counts
1-8 drop spins opening left foot to 2nd position on 1
Verse 2 64 counts 8 sets of 8
Drop spins; move on ones
1st: plié
2nd: second position
3rd: plié
4th: second position
5th: lunge left, but leave flag centered
6th: second position
7th: lunge right, but leave flag centered
8th: second position
Chorus 2 32 counts
Repeat Chorus 1, this time in Second Position
Instrumental 8 counts
1 down of a drop spin
2 fish hook at tape
3 squeeze to continue spin to stop flag straight down, tape and bottom cheater (ready for pull hits)
4-8 hold
(con't)
Bridge 64 counts
Use this sequence for each position: 1-2 pull hit, 3-4 hold, 5-6 pull hit, 7-8 hold, 1-8 continuous pull hits
1-16 Vertical
1-16 Angle
1-16 Flat
1-8 Vertical, Angle, Flat, Vertical prep for
1-4 toss to R Slam
5-8 hold
Chorus 3 & 4 Cone Exercise
1-32 Checkpoints on 1s and 5s
1-16 Checkpoints on Odds
1-8 Checkpoints on All counts
1-8 Smooth Cones
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 GVSULMB@gvsu.edu. Please leave a voicemail if your call is not answered!