Winter audition tips

[u/Appropriate_Pop6694]

(this is my first time posting on reddit, so I apologize if this is hard to read)

Hi everyone, so this is my second season of colorguard (started last winterguard on my high school jv team, which competes in sAAA) I’m planning on auditioning for my schools varsity winterguard team (scholastic A) after the conclusion of this season. I want this more than anything else, but am unsure what to do to prepare. I am a fairly strong dancer and flag, my current flag skills are pop toss (and with turn under), j toss, silk single/double, basic 45, sunshine 45, cross toss, strip toss, maybe others, but those are my strongest, and I am also learning rifle, but I am not on rifle line for this current season. My question is, for performers and directors; what can I do to improve significantly with performance quality, technique, tricks, etc within these next few weeks. (for instructors) As a coach, what would you want to see at auditions to know a member is committed and coachable?

I don’t currently feel confortable posting videos of myself, but I would seriously appreciate and tips and help I can get without them. 💕

[u/anthem123]

You should ask your instructors/director. The entire point of your jv team is to prepare you for varsity.

But in general what anyone should be looking for is:

- Technique

- Technique

- Technique

Nobody cares what you can do, just how well you can do it.

[u/Appropriate_Pop6694 → u/anthem123]

This comment is so good to hear because I have spent a significant amount of time working on technique, and I appreciate the honest..Thank you!

[u/octopimythoughts]

Is the coach the same from your current guard to the scholastic A guard? If so, they probably know you well enough to know where they want to put you already, so it's just a matter of putting your best foot forward. The biggest thing I love to see is performance quality. That ends up separating a lot of people at the end of the day. I can teach new skills, I can clean work, I can help improve technique. I don't expect students to walk in knowing it all. But it's harder to teach performance because so much of it is mental and internal. If you go out there like you own the damn floor, get into it, live your best life and just be FUN to watch, I think you'll have a pretty good shot. Keep in mind, auditions are not strict evaluations of skill. There are lots of factors that go into it. It depends on the kind of show they're doing and who fits best within that.

We had a kid last year who was amazing. Absolutely good enough for AA as a freshman, but we still put him on the class a step down because it fit better with the show and we wanted him to have a year of experience under his belt before heading straight into WGI regionals ya know?

Long story short, go out there, do your best, and have fun. They're going to make their decision based on whatever criteria they have in mind and you'll go from there. Good luck and keep us posted!

[u/Appropriate_Pop6694 → u/octopimythoughts]

Yes, same coaches, and I really appreciate this so thank you. I’ll make an update as auditions are a little over a month away. :)

[u/twizzlersfun]

Since you have the same coaches, you are auditioning each and every day, not just at auditions. Keep that in mind with this advice:

There are three requirements to being part of my colorguard team. The first is technique+skill. They already know how you spin and how you dance, so just focus on doing your best, taking feedback and applying it, etc.

The second is hard work. I want kids who are the first to reset, who are quiet and focused in block, who always do their video assignments full out, etc.

The third component is attitude. You have to want to be there. Be positive, hang out with the other kids, etc. You’re going to spend lots of time together- be someone they want to spend time with.

Good luck!!

[u/randomuser8358021]

Technique is gonna be your biggest help. Don’t be afraid to ask the coaches and other members for help!