Auditions

Baltimore's Marching Ravens Percussion Line

2011 marks the 64rd year of continuous operation for Baltimore’s Marching Ravens founded in 1947 as the Baltimore Colts’ Marching Band. Last year the band was honored to be featured in the Oscar Award winning Director and Producer Barry Levinson’s ESPN production of “The Band That Would Not Die” telling the story of the Baltimore Colts’ Marching Band staying together eleven years without a team.

The Marching Ravens are now holding auditions for Musicians, Flagline, and Honor Guard and taking applications for Equipment Crew. The band is a totally all volunteer unit dedicated to the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland and the Baltimore Ravens. The age range is 16 years and up.

If you would like to become part of the excitement of Ravens Football and enjoy entertaining at a major level or if you know someone who would be interested in becoming a member, please call 410-557-8335 around the clock seven days a week or e mail at: marchingravens@hotmail.com please leave your name, unit that you are interested in and your telephone number where you can be reached and we will get back to you right away.

Become part of pro-football history, heritage and pride by becoming a Marching Raven.

Baltimore's Marching Ravens hold auditions every Wednesday night throughout the year and is currently seeking new members for the 2011 season in all performing sections:
Instruments and Auxiliary: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone, Percussion, Flagline, Honor Guard

The Marching Ravens maintain a full support crew as well, and positions are open her as well:
Support Positions: Equipment Crew, Medical Crew (Must hold a current EMT certification)

The audition for performing members consists of both a musical and marching demonstration of your abilities.
Hornline Players (Woodwind and Brass) are required to perform:

Scales up to four sharps and flats in 8th notes at minimum tempo 120
Full range chromatic scale at minimal tempo 100
A required excerpt (available for download below)
A sight reading piece

An understanding of standard modern marching percussion technique
The musical skills details in the audition material
Perform a solo/exercise of your choosing
SA sight reading piece

[Percussion Audition]

Flagline auditions are held during rehearsal and require the following:

Have a prepared, 32 count routine to perform. No tosses.
Demonstrate the ability to march and twirl.
You will be required to learn a 32 count routine, performable by the end of rehearsal.

[Flagline Audition]

Marching Auditions will take place following the playing audition. Performers will be expected to know common marching vocabulary and execute simple marching moves. The Marching Ravens use a military style low march step. Though marching experience is a necessity, we will assist you learning the proper step style. You will be evaluated on your ability to perform the maneuvers and learn the Raven’s way, regardless of your background.

To set up an audition, please follow these steps:

Download the appropriate information for your audition
Contact Band President, John Ziemann, at (410) 557-8335, to set up an audition date.
Attend rehearsal on the agreed evening; arrive no later than 6:45.

What to bring

Audition Information
Instrument
a.       Woodwind: Bring your own instrument
b.      Brass: Bring your mouthpiece, Baltimore’s Marching Ravens use all band owned Yamaha brass instruments
c.       Percussion: Appropriate Sticks and Mallets
d.      Flagline: If you own one, your practice flag to perform your prepared routine with
Music Stand and pencil (instrumentalists only)
Marching appropriate clothing (Sneakers, loose fitting clothing)
A GREAT Attitude!

If you're interested in joining, contact us by calling our band president, John Ziemann, at (410) 557-8335, by sending him a fax at (410) 557-6385 or by emailing him at marchingravens@hotmail.com. All e-mails should contain a phone number for us to reach you.