Drumline Information

The Western Thunder Drumline consists of marching snare drum, tenors (5 drum), bass drums, and cymbals. Students need to complete an audition so that we can place you on the instrument that fits you and the line best.  All new members are encouraged to audition on multiple instruments and indicate which instrument is your first and second choice.  You will do this on our registration form and will need to create a new entry for each audition you submit.  For example, if you wish to audition for snare and bass drum, you will complete the form twice indicating which instrument you are submitting the audition for and pasting the link to that audition.

 

The drumline audition packet contains all the audition material you will need to submit a video.  Once we select the drumline, all members will be given the full drumline packet which includes full exercises, cadences, and short drum cheers.  The audition will consist of the following provided criteria which differs for each instrument.

Drumline Packet

Audition Information

Snares & Tenors

*Tenors: Play the around patterns on a set of drums or tenor pad if possible.

  • 8th Accent Tap (7531) - 130bpm 
  • Triplet Rolls - 140bpm
  • Flams  - 116bpm                

Bass Drum & Cymbals

  • 8th Accent Tap (7531) - A to C @ 130bpm
  • Bass Drums: As written
  • Cymbals: A to B play hi-hats, B to C play crashes
  • 16th Grid - 120bpm
  • Bass Drums: As written
  • Cymbals: play only the accent pattern with cymbal taps.

 

Please do your best to complete the audition on a drum or cymbals.  If you do not have access to a drum or cymbals, you can play it on a drum pad. You might consider recording your audition before you lose access to your high school's drumline equipment.

Audition Form

Questions?

Reach out here to Drumline Instructor Lex Fermelia:

email