The Penn State Blue Band will be holding auditions for the Touch of Blue in 2010, date to be announced. There will be no fall auditions for the Touch of Blue squad.
Please read the following information carefully before submitting an Intent to Audition form.
2010, to be announced.
If you are interested in auditioning for the Touch of Blue, use the information provided below to determine the requirements and limitations that are applicable to you. Audition eligibility varies according to acceptance scenario and assigned campus status.
Students considering an audition for the Touch of Blue will be in one of three Penn State acceptance scenarios. Find the SCENARIO below (A, B, or C) which best describes you. Under the applicable scenario, find the Campus Status that best describes your Penn State acceptance. Under the applicable campus status, carefully read the eligibility requirements and/or limitations that apply. This information should enable you to determine if you are eligible or ineligible for consideration in the Touch of Blue auditions. Questions may be directed to: Heather Bean, Touch of Blue choreographer.
SCENARIO A: You will be an incoming freshman student. This is applicable only if you are currently a high school student. In general, applicants to Penn State who have a complete application on file with the Admissions Office by the end of November will receive a decision regarding an offer of admission and campus assignment by the end of January.
A1 (Campus Status): Offer to University Park. You may audition.
A2 (Campus Status): Offer to a Penn State Commonwealth campus other than University Park. You may NOT audition.
NOTE: On a space available basis, A2 students may be permitted to participate in the teaching/learning sessions during the Touch of Blue audition day for experience. You may not participate in the judged auditions. Contact the Blue Band office to request an audit-only space.
SCENARIO B: You are a student currently enrolled and taking classes at a Penn State campus.
B1 (Campus Status): Currently attending classes at the University Park campus and NOT in academic Hold status. You may audition.
B2 (Campus Status): Currently at the sophomore level attending classes during the second academic year at a Commonwealth Campus (not University Park). You must provide verification from your current academic advisor indicating you are academically on track for the standard change of campus to University Park at the conclusion of the Spring semester prior to the Fall marching band season for which you are auditioning. You may audition.
B3 (Campus Status): Currently at the freshman level attending classes at a Penn State Commonwealth campus (not University Park). Students in this status are in the midst of their first year at a Commonwealth campus and need an approved early change of campus in order to be assigned to University Park for the Fall marching band season.
Needing an approved early change of campus assignment is the most challenging campus status from which a student can pursue an audition. You must understand that this process requires your current campus to approve an early release and your College must approve the transfer. Even with Blue Band confirmation of a successful audition, your College must still approve your academic eligibility and space availability in your major at University Park before a change of campus is forthcoming. Carefully read the Limitations, Explanations and Cautions applicable to students enrolled in the first year at a Commonwealth campus.
Limitation 1: Some Colleges and majors will NOT consider an early change of campus for Blue Band participation.
Explanation: Currently the College of Engineering, the Smeal College of Business, the College of Education, and the School of Nursing will NOT approve early change of campus assignments for Blue Band participation. Check with the Blue Band office for the most up-to-date list of Colleges and majors that will not consider early change of campus requests. Each year, additional Colleges and majors may be added to the current list. If you are in a major or College which WILL NOT approve early change of campus assignments, you may NOT audition.
Limitation 2: Early change of campus is an academic unit decision, NOT a Blue Band decision.
Explanation: If you are in a College and major that will consider early change of campus, a strong academic record will improve your chances of getting approval for the early change of campus request. Check with the Blue Band office for the most up-to-date list of Colleges and majors that will not consider early change of campus requests. Each year, additional Colleges and majors may be added to the current list. If you are in a College and/or major which WILL consider an early change of campus request, you may audition.
Caution: You must realize that it is possible to have a successful Blue Band audition (in other words, be offered a position on the Touch of Blue for the fall) BUT still be denied early change of campus due to academic concerns and/or space availability in your major. The Dean of the College evaluates acceptable academic progress and space availability in the major.
Caution: Colleges and majors may adopt a policy which does not approve early change of campus request at any time. The Blue Band office will not necessarily be informed of policy changes in advance.
Caution: Some students elect to pursue a change of major as a strategy for getting to University Park early. Students contemplating a change of major just to become eligible for an early change of campus that will enable Blue Band participation should carefully consider such action. A change of major is an important life decision and should not be undertaken lightly. Students should not consider a change of major without giving serious thought to academic and career goals. Consideration of a change in major should include consultation with academic advisors and with parents/guardians. The Blue Band office does NOT recommend students change majors just as a means of getting to University Park early. IF a change of major is in the best interest of the student academically, be advised that Penn State University requires a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or above before a change of major will be considered.
NOTE: If your major or College, academic record, or space availability at University Park prevent you from being considered in the auditions, you may be permitted to participate in the teaching/learning sessions on Touch of Blue audition day for experience. You may not participate in the judged auditions. This opportunity is on a space available basis. Contact the Blue Band office to request an audit-only space at the audition day sessions.
SCENARIO C: You are a student currently enrolled at a college or university other than Penn State. Prospective transfer students MUST file a complete application with Penn State NO LATER THAN February 1 and generally will receive a decision on admission and campus assignment by early April. Earlier applications will receive earlier decisions.
C1 (Campus Status): Offer, assigned to University Park (UP). You may audition.
C2 (Campus Status): Offer, assigned to a Penn State Commonwealth campus other than University Park. Students in this status are subject to the requirements, limitations, and cautions described in B3 (Campus Status) above.
Instructional sessions are open to the public; auditions are closed to the public.
| 8:30–11:30 am | Learning of pre-game routine and twirling/dance routine |
| 11:30 am–12:30 pm | Lunch |
| 12:30–3:00 pm | Instructional/Review Session |
| 3:00–3:30 pm | Prepare for auditions |
| 3:30 pm | Auditions begin |
| First segment | Pre-game routine Concert routine Tally scores: Students placed 1–16 advance to the second segment |
| Second segment | Pre-game routine Concert routine Tally scores: Final cuts announced |
A maximum of 14 students will be chosen during final cuts.
The auditions are based on the quality of the candidate's performance in each category. Students placing 17th and below will be released after the first cut. Students placing 1–16 will continue on to the final cuts. This process will ensure that the Blue Band is receiving the best quality twirlers for the majorette line.
Blue Band Building (map)
Services Road & University Drive
University Park Campus (campus map)
Pennsylvania State University
You do not need to prepare an individual routine; all audition routines are taught during the instructional sessions. We look for confident performers who can learn routines quickly and with uniformity of style. Candidates for Touch of Blue positions will need equally strong ability in twirling, marching, and dance.
| Instructional session: | Shorts, t-shirt or tank top, and twirling sneakers. Hair should be pulled back. |
| Auditions: | Solid color, bathing suit style leotard, tights, and twirling sneakers. Hair should be styled up and makeup appropriate for the field. |
You will need to bring two batons.
The judging panel could include:
In order to audition, you must file an Intent to Audition form, available here. The administrative deadline for filing your Intent to Audition form is April 15, 2009.
There are no scholarships available for majorettes who perform with the Blue Band. The Penn State Marching Blue Band is proud to be one of the nation's premier university marching bands.
If you have any further questions, please direct them to Heather M. Bean, Majorette Instructor at (814) 880-5362 or hmbean@verizon.net.