ABOUT THE TRAINING SESSION

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I ARRIVE FOR PRESEASON TRAINING?

Report to the check-in location listed on the schedule at the indicated time. If you are a
new brass, woodwind, or percussion player, you must report to Howard Hall lobby
between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on August 20th, 2006. We will check you in through our
own registration process and try to answer any questions you have. You may purchase
your uniform accessories and plastic flip folders at this time.

Following registration you will warm-up your instrument and report to the posted
location for the informal music audition. There will be a designated area to warm-up –
PLEASE do not play in the halls!

After you have registered and auditioned, you may check into the dorms. We will provide
a staff to help you find your dorm room and move into your new residence!

At 1:30 p.m. all 1st-time members are required to attend the Orientation Meeting followed
by a Music Rehearsal held in the band room. Percussion and Guard will report to Mr.
Versaevel and Ms. Lawlor respectively. After rehearsal, you will be released to go to
your dorms.

WHAT IS THE TRAINING SCHEDULE LIKE?

The normal daily schedule for Preseason Training is as follows:

7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Fundamentals (Outdoors)
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Music Rehearsal (Indoors)
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Dinner
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Fundamentals (Outdoors)

Keep in mind that this in only a SAMPLE schedule. You will be given a detailed daily
schedule when you register for training. We make every effort to use this time in a
productive and efficient manner.

WHY DO YOU HAVE PRESEASON TRAINING ANYWAY?

The Spirit of the West Marching Band is noted for excellence in performance. To achieve
this excellence, we must be able to execute the fundamentals of marching and playing at
a very high level. Because we learn and perform at least six different halftime shows
during the season, everyone must be able to learn and polish a new show quickly and
efficiently. Preseason training provides all our members, new and returning, the
opportunity to get into shape physically, mentally, and musically so that we can work
together to produce exciting performances. The emphasis is on fundamentals, but we will
also be learning music and drill maneuvers for the season ahead. The quality of our
Preseason Training Session has a lot to do with the success of our season.

JUST HOW TOUGH IS IT GOING TO BE?

We approach this important training period very seriously. It is intense and we work
under strict time limits. We MUST have the PREGAME and HALFTIME shows ready
for the first home football game - Chadron State on September! Preseason Training is
designed to train our members for the tough season ahead. We work hard during
rehearsals, but you will enjoy the camaraderie and satisfaction that comes from working
hard to accomplish something worthwhile. Over the past 100 years, thousands of MSU
students have gone though the same training session. We promise to do everything
possible to make your experience informative and rewarding.

HOW ARE MEMBERS SELECTED? WHAT ABOUT AUDITIONS?

There are three important components to be a member of The Spirit of the West: (1)
Attend the Preseason Training session where an ongoing evaluation of your efforts in
marching, playing, and overall attitude will occur, and (2) complete the Preseason
Registration and the Informal Audition – both of which occur during our registration
period the first day of Preseason Training, and (3) Register for the course.

The evaluation of your informal audition does NOT determine your membership.
Completing the informal audition does. The audition will include major scales and sight-
reading. The purpose of the audition is to place individuals on various parts and to allow
the faculty and staff of MSU the opportunity to facilitate our students musically.

HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE SELECTED?

We welcome everyone! We will select as many students as can meet our overall
standards for playing ability, marching ability, and ATTITUDE (which is our PRIMARY
selection aspect!). There is not a fixed number for total membership. Do not get too “up
tight” or overly worried about the audition process. Come to training and do the best that
you can! We will teach you to march and play to the standards set by over 100 YEARS of
past and present members of The Spirit of the West. Don’t talk yourself out of trying out
for this once in a lifetime experience. You will not regret the decision to “go for it!”

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