Welcome! And thank you for your interest in the Ocoee HS Marching Knights fall 2025 Percussion Section! Or as we like to call it, “Echo Percussion!” Please fill out your pre-audition form, band registration, and read through all requirements carefully. After you have read all the requirements, please be sure to schedule an individual audition time for May 8th. Happy playing and best wishes!
CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT PRE-AUDITION INFO
CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT BAND REGISTRATION
What To Expect:
All students will be split into 2 groups (new members and veterans). Veterans are expected to know certain skillsets already, so they will take a full audition. New Members will work with the staff on a percussion skills assessment. All high school students will need to attend both audition dates to secure a position for the fall. All incoming 8th graders or students new to the school will not need to attend regular audition dates. Professor Ralph will contact your school’s band director to set up a special assessment time. Or you may take your assessment on the first day of Percussion Camp (though we do not recommend this as positions are very limited this season).
8th Grader/New Student assessments will see students assessed based on the following skills; Major Scales, Drum Rudiments, Sight-Reading, Call & Answer, and Marching.
High school auditions will be held over 2 days; May 8th & 9th (3-6pm both days). May 8th will be the date for individual auditions. During this portion, students will be judged on Major Scales, Drum Rudiments, and an Interview. May 9th will be the date for our full ensemble group audition. Here students will be judged on the Prepared Piece, Sight-reading, and Marching. All of these requirements are outlined below…
Requirements
Scales: ALL STUDENTS may be asked to perform any 3 of the 12 major scales. VETERANS should perform scales in 1 octave with an arpeggio. NEW MEMBERS only need to perform 1 octave, no arpeggio.
Rudiments: ALL STUDENTS may be asked to perform 3 of any of the 26 Standard American rudiments. VETERANS should perform rudiments in an ‘open-close-open’ format. NEW MEMBERS may simply showcase the rudiments to the best of their abilities.
Interview: VETERANS may be asked a series of questions pertaining to music, professionalism, leadership, prior behavior, and current season outlook. NEW MEMBERS will not need to complete an interview.
Prepared Music: HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS (including new members) must learn and be able to play through the piece in a group setting. It is important to learn the parts from both of the instruments that you selected on your Pre-Audition Form. 8th GRADERS & STUDENTS NEW TO THE SCHOOL will not need to perform a prepared piece.
AID_Glock, AID_Xylo, AID_Vibes, AID_Marim, AID_Synth, AID_B Guit, AID_Aux 1, AID_Aux 2, AID_Snare, AID_Quint, AID_BDs, AID_Toms, AID_Cyms, AID_Score
Sight-reading: ALL STUDENTS will be asked to looked at a brand new, printed sheet of music and play it. Sight-reading will ONLY happen on battery instruments (drums), this includes students that intend to play melodic instruments. To practice this skill, go to Sight-Reading Factory.
Call & Answer: 8TH GRADERS & STUDENTS NEW TO THE SCHOOL will be asked by staff members to play back a series of rhythms that they hear. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS will not be required to complete Call & Answer.
Marching: ALL STUDENTS will be asked to perform a marching drill. Please see the following sheet for marching drill instructions.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR INDIVIDUAL AUDITION (HS students only)
*Please note: Results will not be released until the day prior to Spring Band Camp, approximately May 20th. Your position is only solidified when you attend Percussion Camp, which starts on July 14th. Staff members reserve the right to rescind or change any position offerings at any time, including during the regular season.
Important Dates:
May 8 & 9: High School Auditions
May 10-18: Middle School Assessments (to be scheduled)
May 20: Results posted and sent to directors
May 20: HS Spring Concert
May 22: HS Band Banquet
May 27: Spring Band Camp 5:30-8pm
May 29: Spring Band Camp 5:30-8pm
July 7-10: Percussion Camp 9am-2pm daily
July 14-18: (week off)
July 21-Aug 1: Summer Band Camp
Aug 4-8: (week off)
Aug 11: First Day of School
Drumlines Of America 