Has anyone on this DB tried out for a line, whether it be DCI,college,high school or whatever, and failed to make it because of limited spots or more experienced(not neccessarly better) players??
I tried out for a college line in the spring and didnt make it because of those reasons (I believe). They had 9 snares the previous year and only lost 2. That meant there were 15-20 soild players trying out for only 2 spots. Also they seemed to give preference to those that were on the line in previous years who played cymbals.
The thing that bugs me the most is that I could play all the audition music as good as or better than the players that made the line in the past. In one flams exercise, I was one of the few who actually played consistently clean flams. And yet one vet player couldnt get through the freaking exercise!!
I decided I wasnt going to play cymbals for next year so now I am at a further disadvantage if I decide to try out next year. What should I do or is there anything I can do to make it next year? I should tell you that I did practice my butt off and couldnt do a whole lot better if I prepared differently. And oh yea, has this happend to anyone else??
Thanks for any input.

I think that is unfair. I think whoever is better should make the line, how our drumline does it is the 4 best players make the snare line, nomatter how many years you've been in, and then 1 quint player, then the 6 lower players go on bass, and then another 6 on cymbals, whoevers left becomes a reserve.

One question, what does DB stand for? I've seen it used ALOT on this forum, and don't know what it means:-)

ERHSSnare - my guess is discussion board? Don't quote me on that, though.

Dude, one thing you're going to have to realize: a portion of auditions is politics. Even in WGI/DCI. If you know somebody who knows somebody, your chances go up (or down, depending on whether they like you or not). If you go to a Phantom audition, and you've already marched at UNT and Rennick already knows you've got chops, then you've got a little bit more cred to him then the next guy. Like my dad always used to say "it's not always what you know, it's who you know."

It's probably happened to just about everybody, either on the short or long end of the stick. (It varies in intensity though, so don't think just because you don't know somebody, you don't have a chance -- it all depends on where you're at ... obviously in your situation it's not just a little bit.)

It's all Bias, man, no matter what. Vets are usually chosen, though, to make it easier to clean the line. They've had experience with the same people, and have marched with them, so it's easier to go through things and get on with Show Music, Drill, etc.

I auditioned for Snare my Freshman year . . . Supposedly, the only reason I didn't make it was because I missed the first day of Auditions. Why? Shot nerves. Otherwise, I did very well, and got 5th place of 10. The other four was the Center Snare, and three other people who were there for Auditions the first day and did well. The 3rd and 4rd needed to "battle it out" to make the 3rd spot.

Although drumline politics seem dirty sometimes, it's going to be there no matter what. A director is going to lean toward selection of a player that he knows is solid, than one that seems solid but hasn't proven it yet. The trick is to get yourself set in a line to the point where a director knows your devoted. Your freshmen year anywhere is going to be wrought with such political drama, whereas most years after that, it'll be all downhill.

Yes - it happened to me, and it probably has to some extent to most people that have auditioned for several lines over the years.

If nothing else, it will prepare you for "the real world" because it's even more evident there - trust me. The best thing you can do is what the BD / Instructor asks of you and be as prepared as possible - the rest is really out of your hands.

Personally, I don't believe in handing out spots to Vets just because they are Vets. I see it this way - If you are a Veteran, you SHOULD be better than a rookie coming in and if you are not than the better player shouold get the spot. If it's really, really close though and the Vet has a great attitude and a great track record (team player, good person) I probably give them the nod just because there is less risk and they are more of a known entity than the rookie.

I will say, I think you should have taken the Cymbal spot - years ago when I auditioned for a snare spot in college and didn't make it in the last cut, I would have loved the opportunity to try for bass or cymbals; but the instructor at that time did not see setting the line with the best overall 30 or so players. In retrospect I would have been better off trying for Bass from the start in terms of making the line.

Then again, I made the snare line my next year so maybe this will work for you too even though you chose not to march cymbals where i was never offered the opportunity after being released from snare.

Just like you, I too would most probably make the bass line had I tried out for it. (10-12 so-so players trying for 7 spots) And that is probably what I am going to do next year if there are, again, a limited amount of seniors leaving the snare line. But snare is where my heart is, for sure.
My goal comming in to the auditions was to do exactly what you said in #2. Become so good that is obvious that you are better than most. The funny thing is that it actually worked back in high school. I didnt make the line my freshmen year and was put in the pit. Got so pi**ed off that I practiced my butt off for auditions my 2nd year. Made center snare, got a snare solo, and put the other senior players to shame with my playing
This time it did not work. Part of the reason I did not mention was the fact they played the exercises that were my weakness the majority of the time. ( Accent-tap w/ drop 3's instead of triple diddle or a flams exercise) Next time I will be sure to work on my weaknesses like crazy and do some of the thing you listed and hopefully make the line.
Thanks alot a lot for the input man, I appreciate it.
btw, what college did you go to??