|
Racer Pep Band Audition Information |
The 2025 - 2026 Racer Pep Band will have up to 66 auditioned spots. These 66 spots will be split into separate bands to split the load of the Men’s and Women’s Basketball schedules. Each Pep Band member can expect a game requirement of approximately 10-12 games throughout the season.
CONDITIONS
All students who successfully audition and earn their spot in the Racer Pep Band will be compensated approximately $20 per game. To receive payment, each musician must attend ALL of their schedule games, in addition to demonstrating timeliness and professionalism throughout the season. Students who do not abide by these conditions will forfeit their paid position, their placement in the ensemble, and/or any post-season travel opportunities.
If selected for the Racer Pep Band, you will be UNDER CONTRACT with the Department of Music and Murray State University. Those selected will be expected to perform at ALL games they are scheduled for to be eligible for payment. Should a schedule conflict arise, it is the performer’s responsibility to secure a substitute performer from the approved sub list AND make-up their missed performance by attending an additional game. All absences, substitutions, and game swaps must be communicated to Dr. Shoupe a minimum of 24 hours prior to the scheduled performance. One “no call, no show” absence will result in forfeiture of payment and immediate removal from the Racer Pep Band.
Those with unacceptable attendance (including consistent and continued tardiness) or unacceptable/unprofessional behavior will face consequences including: ineligibility for post-season travel, a reduction or ineligibility for payment, and/or removal from the Racer Pep Band.
HOLIDAY PAY
Musicians who elect to attend ALL holiday games will receive additional payment. To be eligible, students must attend ALL holiday games between December 13th and January 11th. Those who intend to perform at holiday games can indicate their interest and availability on their audition form. The Holiday Pep Band roster will be selected from those who are interested.
TOURNAMENT / POST-SEASON TRAVEL
Those selected for the Racer Pep Band must also plan to be available for post-season travel to the MVC tournaments and NCAA tournaments - limited exceptions to this policy apply, including practicum and student teaching obligations. Performers are not expected to travel for all dates listed, but must have some availability to travel. The projected tournament weekends are:
Men's MVC Tournament: March 5th - March 8th, 2026
Women's MVC Tournament: March 12th - March 15th, 2026
Men's & Women's NCAA Tournaments: select dates from March - April, 2026
VOLUNTEER PERFORMERS
Students who do not wish to complete an audition for the Racer Pep Band are still eligible to perform as a volunteer. Students interested in becoming a volunteer performer must attend two pre-season rehearsals to be eligible. Volunteer performers are not eligible for payment or post-season travel, and are not eligible to substitute for a paid performer. Limited exceptions to this policy will be allowed only with direct permission from Dr. Shoupe.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
*Some adjustments to instrumentation may be made based on audition results.*
Piccolo/Flute - 4 paid positions
*Piccolo is preferred but flutes will be accepted.*
Clarinet - 8 paid positions
Alto Saxophone - 4 paid positions
Tenor Saxophone - 2 paid positions
Trumpet - 18 paid positions
Mellophone - 4 paid positions
Trombone - 8 paid positions
Bass Trombone / Baritone - 4 paid positions
Tuba - 6 paid positions
Guitar - 2 paid positions
Bass Guitar - 2 paid positions
Drum Set / Bass Drum - 4 paid positions
All students who successfully audition and earn their spot in the Racer Pep Band will be compensated approximately $20 per game. To receive payment, each musician must attend ALL of their schedule games, in addition to demonstrating timeliness and professionalism throughout the season. Students who do not abide by these conditions will forfeit their paid position, their placement in the ensemble, and/or any post-season travel opportunities.
If selected for the Racer Pep Band, you will be UNDER CONTRACT with the Department of Music and Murray State University. Those selected will be expected to perform at ALL games they are scheduled for to be eligible for payment. Should a schedule conflict arise, it is the performer’s responsibility to secure a substitute performer from the approved sub list AND make-up their missed performance by attending an additional game. All absences, substitutions, and game swaps must be communicated to Dr. Shoupe a minimum of 24 hours prior to the scheduled performance. One “no call, no show” absence will result in forfeiture of payment and immediate removal from the Racer Pep Band.
Those with unacceptable attendance (including consistent and continued tardiness) or unacceptable/unprofessional behavior will face consequences including: ineligibility for post-season travel, a reduction or ineligibility for payment, and/or removal from the Racer Pep Band.
HOLIDAY PAY
Musicians who elect to attend ALL holiday games will receive additional payment. To be eligible, students must attend ALL holiday games between December 13th and January 11th. Those who intend to perform at holiday games can indicate their interest and availability on their audition form. The Holiday Pep Band roster will be selected from those who are interested.
TOURNAMENT / POST-SEASON TRAVEL
Those selected for the Racer Pep Band must also plan to be available for post-season travel to the MVC tournaments and NCAA tournaments - limited exceptions to this policy apply, including practicum and student teaching obligations. Performers are not expected to travel for all dates listed, but must have some availability to travel. The projected tournament weekends are:
Men's MVC Tournament: March 5th - March 8th, 2026
Women's MVC Tournament: March 12th - March 15th, 2026
Men's & Women's NCAA Tournaments: select dates from March - April, 2026
VOLUNTEER PERFORMERS
Students who do not wish to complete an audition for the Racer Pep Band are still eligible to perform as a volunteer. Students interested in becoming a volunteer performer must attend two pre-season rehearsals to be eligible. Volunteer performers are not eligible for payment or post-season travel, and are not eligible to substitute for a paid performer. Limited exceptions to this policy will be allowed only with direct permission from Dr. Shoupe.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
*Some adjustments to instrumentation may be made based on audition results.*
Piccolo/Flute - 4 paid positions
*Piccolo is preferred but flutes will be accepted.*
Clarinet - 8 paid positions
Alto Saxophone - 4 paid positions
Tenor Saxophone - 2 paid positions
Trumpet - 18 paid positions
Mellophone - 4 paid positions
Trombone - 8 paid positions
Bass Trombone / Baritone - 4 paid positions
Tuba - 6 paid positions
Guitar - 2 paid positions
Bass Guitar - 2 paid positions
Drum Set / Bass Drum - 4 paid positions
AUDITION INFORMATION
Auditions for paid positions will be held VIRTUALLY via video audition this year (with the exception of Drum Set). Video auditions are due Friday, September 12th at midnight. Prospective members will be expected to perform the Murray State Fight Song and one prepared pep band selection (found in the Audition Sign-Up Form link below). Candidates auditioning on Drum Set will be contacted September 5th to set-up an audition time, and are expected to demonstration a variety of grooves & styles in addition to the prepared pieces.
For a successful audition, I am looking for: accurate style including written articulations, dynamics, and phrase markings, note accuracy, pitch accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, confident sound (projection), and good tone characteristic to your instrument.
AUDITION SIGN-UP FORM
VIDEO SUBMISSION FORM
Auditions for paid positions will be held VIRTUALLY via video audition this year (with the exception of Drum Set). Video auditions are due Friday, September 12th at midnight. Prospective members will be expected to perform the Murray State Fight Song and one prepared pep band selection (found in the Audition Sign-Up Form link below). Candidates auditioning on Drum Set will be contacted September 5th to set-up an audition time, and are expected to demonstration a variety of grooves & styles in addition to the prepared pieces.
For a successful audition, I am looking for: accurate style including written articulations, dynamics, and phrase markings, note accuracy, pitch accuracy, rhythmic accuracy, confident sound (projection), and good tone characteristic to your instrument.
AUDITION SIGN-UP FORM
VIDEO SUBMISSION FORM
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
Access to music is available through the Audition Sign-Up Form linked above.
Piccolo / Flute
*Piccolo preferred, but flutes will be accepted.*
*Audition on the part you intend to play (1st / 2nd)
*Audition on the part you intend to play (1st / 2nd / 3rd)
*Audition on the part you intend to play (1st / 2nd)
Access to music is available through the Audition Sign-Up Form linked above.
Piccolo / Flute
*Piccolo preferred, but flutes will be accepted.*
- Murray State Fight Song (stop at RACER spell-out, m. 19)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
*Audition on the part you intend to play (1st / 2nd)
- Murray State Fight Song (stop at RACER spell-out, m. 19)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
- Murray State Fight Song (stop at RACER spell-out, m. 19)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
*Audition on the part you intend to play (1st / 2nd / 3rd)
- Murray State Fight Song (stop at RACER spell-out, m. 19)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
- Murray State Fight Song (stop at RACER spell-out, m. 19)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
*Audition on the part you intend to play (1st / 2nd)
- Murray State Fight Song (stop at RACER spell-out, m. 19)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
- Murray State Fight Song (stop at RACER spell-out, m. 19)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
- Murray State Fight Song (stop at RACER spell-out, m. 19)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
- Murray State Fight Song (stop at RACER spell-out, m. 19)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
- Murray State Fight Song (stop at RACER spell-out, m. 19)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
- Short Fight Song / Old Grey Mare (all), transition into All Right Now! (stop at m. 26)
- Prepared piece: Daft Punk Medley
- I am looking for you to fit the style of the tune - you can use the percussion parts / score as a guide if you'd like, or you can create something on your own that matches the style. A recording will be available to play along with.
- Four styles (one of each): Pop, Rock, Latin, Funk