ISU

Cyclone Marching Band Returner Auditions On-Line Audition Hub · 2026 Season

📅 Online deadline: June 1
2026 Returner Auditions

Everything you need to re-audition for the CMB.

Welcome back! It's time to field the next version of the Cyclone Marching Band. This page centralizes the re-audition process, materials, deadlines, and the submission form so you can re-earn your spot with confidence.

⚠️
Everyone submits — even if already accepted
Leadership members, accepted interviewees, Colorguard, Twirlers, and Drums: you still need to submit through this system. See the "Which Path?" tab for exactly what you need to do.

Quick Overview

You have two audition choices. Most returners choose online — it's strongly preferred.

Preferred

Option 1 — Online

⏱️ Deadline: June 1
  • Record two videos: music + visual
  • Upload to YouTube as Unlisted (and not as a Short!)
  • Submit through this page
  • Score 85%+ to be exempted from August in-person
Option 2

In-Person

📍 August Band Camp
  • Submit through this page and select "in-person during band camp"
  • No video submission needed
  • Be prepared for full audition on arrival
🚫
State Storm members — this process isn't for you
2025 State Storm members are not eligible to audition for the 2026 CMB through this process.

Audition Materials

The audition etude and fight song sheet music are on the Cyclone Marching Band website:

🎼 cyclonemarchingband.iastate.edu/winds

The backing track for the marching fundamental warm-up comes from Dr. Carichner's announcement post. The marching sequence PDF is attached to that same post.

Audition Timeline

Step 1 — Decide your path

Use the "Which Path?" tab to figure out exactly what you need to do.

Step 2 — Prep materials

Grab the audition etude and fight song from the CMB Winds page. Review the marching fundamental warm-up sequence.

Step 3 — Practice

Memorize the fight song. Run through the warm-up with the backing track. Re-watch yourself and refine.

Step 4 — Record

Record your music and visual auditions. Review before submitting — don't submit your first take.

Step 5 — Upload

Upload to YouTube as Unlisted (not Public, not Private) and not as a Short. These are the two most common upload errors.

Step 6 — Submit here

Fill out the form on the "Submit" tab with your video links and details.

C

Audition process questions

Dr. Carichner · Director of the Cyclone Marching Band

cbc@iastate.edu

S

Technical issues with this form

Sam Johnson · Webmaster

samfj@iastate.edu

Which Path Do You Need?

Answer these quick questions to get a personalized path.

Your Path

Reference: Who Does What

Your Status What You Submit Form Selection
Accepted leadership / interviewee Submission form only — no audition videos "Leadership — already accepted"
Guide interviewee (not offered a spot) Form only — you've been pre-accepted into CMB "Guide — pre-accepted"
Colorguard / Twirlers / Drumline Form only — audition in August "Fall audition at band camp"
Returner — Online Music video + Visual video links "Online audition"
Returner — In-person No videos — audition at camp "In-person during band camp"
2025 State Storm Not eligible through this process —

🎺 Music Audition

This is the first video — a single recording containing two pieces.

🎼
Get the sheet music from the CMB Winds page

Both pieces (the audition etude and fight song) are posted at cyclonemarchingband.iastate.edu/winds.

What to Record

  • 1.
    Audition Etude — not memorized, reading is fine. Download the PDF from the CMB Winds page.
  • 2.
    Fight Song — fully MEMORIZED. Trumpets and trombones may choose any part assignment.

Evaluation Criteria

Tone
Musicality
Pulse / Tempo
Intonation
Memorization
Accuracy

Recording Requirements

  • •
    Perform at the suggested tempo Do not record with a metronome.
  • •
    Sound quality must be good Videos with poor sound quality will not be accepted — you'll be asked to re-submit or audition in August.
🎷
Sousaphone players
You may record your music audition on a concert tuba if you prefer. Everyone else records on a marching instrument. You can sign out an instrument from the cage for free — but it cannot go home for the summer, so it's due back by end of finals week.

YouTube Upload Rules

🎯
Two upload rules — both are deal-breakers

1. Unlisted only. NOT Public. NOT Private. Unlisted is anyone-with-the-link — this is how evaluators view your audition.

2. Regular video — NOT a Short. If YouTube Studio asks "Upload as Short?" say no. Shorts are vertical, under 60 seconds, and can't be evaluated the same way. Record and upload in horizontal/landscape orientation.

Re-watch your video before submitting. Is it your best work? "Good enough" is your standard — and your standard may not make the cut.

👟 Visual Audition

Record the marching fundamental warm-up from a front view, then the three high-step parts again from a side view with a metronome at ♩ = 140.

⚠️
Don't forget the 8 forward high-step steps
Add 8 forward steps of high marching to your front-view warm-up video. These are not on the backing track or the marching sequence PDF — it's easy to miss, and it's the single most common omission.

📎 Reference Materials

📄
Marching Sequence PDF
The definitive sequence & counts. Re-watch your video against this list before submitting.
🎧
Backing Track (audio)
Play this audibly during the front-view warm-up so evaluators hear what you're marching to.

Links courtesy of Dr. Carichner — if they don't open, email cbc@iastate.edu.

What to record

  • Part A — Full warm-up, front view with the backing track audible, plus 8 forward high-step steps at the end.
  • Part B — The three high-step parts only, side view, recorded again with a metronome at ♩ = 140 (not the backing track).

You can combine both into one video or submit two — the form has a primary link and an optional extra.

Evaluation Criteria

Consistent Pulse / Tempo
Posture
Foot Timing
Memorization
Accuracy
🎺
Sousaphone players
Record your visual audition with a sousaphone before you leave campus for the semester.

YouTube Upload Rules

🎯
Same rules as the music video

1. Unlisted only — NOT Public, NOT Private.

2. Regular video, NOT a Short — record and upload in horizontal/landscape. If YouTube asks "Upload as Short?" say no.

Setup Tips

  • Find a large, level space — gym, band room, or flat outdoor area.
  • Frame the camera so your full body is visible, head to shoes.
  • Make sure the backing track / metronome is audible in the recording.

💡 Helpful Tips & Pitfalls

Setup & Recording

  • Find a large room (gym, band room) or record outside on level, flat ground with enough space for the whole sequence.
  • Frame your camera so your full body is visible — head to shoes. Evaluators need to see foot timing.
  • Record in horizontal/landscape orientation. Vertical phone video will get flagged as a Short when you upload.
  • Test your audio: the backing track and your instrument should both be clearly audible.
  • Light from the front if you can — avoid being silhouetted by a window or bright wall behind you.

The "Is It Ready?" Test

⚠️ Don't submit your first attempt!

Watch and listen to your recording. Is it "good enough" by your own opinion and does it represent your best work? "Good enough" is YOUR standard — and your standard may not make the cut. Re-record until you're proud of it.

Top 6 Ways People Blow the Submission

  1. Uploaded as Public or Private instead of Unlisted. The single most common error. Unlisted = not searchable, but accessible by anyone with the link.
  2. Uploaded as a YouTube Short. Record horizontal. If YouTube Studio shows "Upload as a Short?" — say no. Shorts aren't usable for this audition.
  3. Forgot the 8 forward high-marching steps in the front-view warm-up video. Not on the backing track or the PDF.
  4. Poor audio quality. Re-record somewhere quieter, closer to the camera, or with a better device.
  5. Fight song not memorized. The etude isn't memorized, but the fight song must be.
  6. Submitted the form without having a video link ready. The form requires the YouTube URLs — don't click Submit until you have them.

Your Score Matters

📊
85% is the exemption bar
You must score above 85% to be exempted from an in-person audition in August. Expect that some 2025 band members will still need to re-audition in person — even after submitting online. You'll receive detailed feedback either way.
🔁
Submission does not guarantee acceptance
Some of you will be asked to re-audition during band camp. That's normal — use the feedback to level up before August.
C

Audition questions

Dr. Carichner — cbc@iastate.edu

S

Tech / form issues

Sam Johnson — samfj@iastate.edu

📬 Submit Your Audition

Fill out this form to register for the 2026 CMB. Depending on your path, you'll either submit video links (online audition) or simply register for an in-person audition / confirm your accepted status.

🚨
Review before you submit
Double-check your YouTube links open correctly, are set to Unlisted (not Short!), and that this is your best work. You'll receive a confirmation after submission.

Audition Submission Form

Your Path

Not sure? Check the "Which Path?" tab.

Your Info

Band Info

Unisex / men's cut, S–3XL.

Anything Else?

C

Questions about the audition?

Dr. Carichner — cbc@iastate.edu

Requirements, eligibility, status, feedback.

S

Trouble with this form?

Sam Johnson — samfj@iastate.edu

Technical issues, broken links, submission errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really have to submit if I'm already accepted?
Yes. Even if you're on leadership, passed an interview, or are Colorguard/Twirlers/Drums, you still need to submit through this system so Dr. Carichner has your contact info and status on record.
I interviewed for a wind guide position but didn't get it. Am I in?
Yes — you are pre-accepted into the 2026 CMB. Submit the form and select "Guide — pre-accepted." No audition videos needed.
I was in 2025 State Storm. Can I audition?
Not through this process. 2025 State Storm members are not eligible for the 2026 CMB through the returner audition process. Email Dr. Carichner (cbc@iastate.edu) for guidance.
What does "Unlisted" mean and why does it matter?
YouTube has three privacy settings. Public = anyone can find it in search. Private = only you can see it. Unlisted = only people with the link can see it. The director needs the link to evaluate you, so Private won't work — but you don't want it Public either. Unlisted is the sweet spot.
What's a YouTube Short and why can't I upload it that way?
Shorts are vertical videos under 60 seconds — a separate format on YouTube with a limited player. Your audition videos are longer and should be viewable in the standard player so evaluators can see your full body and hear the full sound. Record horizontally and when uploading, if YouTube Studio asks "Upload as a Short?" — decline.
Can I play the music audition on a different instrument than I'll march on?
Sousaphone players can record on concert tuba. Everyone else records on their marching instrument. You can sign out a marching instrument from the cage for free, but it can't leave campus for the summer.
Can I record the music audition with a metronome?
No. Perform at the suggested tempo, but do not record with a metronome on the music audition. (The metronome is only for the side-view high-step reps in the visual audition.)
Front view or side view for the visual audition?
Both. The full warm-up is recorded front view. Then you record the three high-step parts again from the side view with a metronome at 140 BPM.
What's the 8-step high marching thing everyone keeps mentioning?
Dr. Carichner adds a requirement that's not on the backing track or written into the attached marching sequence PDF: 8 forward steps of high marching. Include this in your front-view warm-up video.
Where's the audition etude and fight song sheet music?
Both are on the CMB Winds page: cyclonemarchingband.iastate.edu/winds.
What happens if my video has poor sound quality?
It won't be accepted. You'll be asked to re-submit or audition in person at band camp. Re-record somewhere quieter, closer to the camera, or with a better mic before submitting.
Does submitting online guarantee a spot?
No. Online submission is the preferred path, but some returners will still be asked to re-audition at band camp. You need an 85%+ score to be exempted from the in-person audition.
Can I edit my submission after submitting?
Not directly — email Dr. Carichner at cbc@iastate.edu if you need to update a link or detail after submitting.
Who do I email with questions?
Audition questions (requirements, status, eligibility, feedback) go to Dr. Carichner — cbc@iastate.edu. Technical issues with this form (won't submit, broken links, errors) go to Sam Johnson — samfj@iastate.edu.