It’s that time of year again- The Pride of the East Leadership auditions are taking place. Every year students from all bands participate in a clinic and tryout to earn a spot on the leadership team for the entire band program. This year leadership auditions will take place April 27-30.

There are two sections of the leadership team; the officers and the marching leaders. The officer positions include: President, Vice-President, Staff Sergeant, Spirit Captain, Quarter Master, Chaplain, Historian, Librarian, and Freshman Representative. Marching leader positions include: Drum Major, Section Leader, Brass Marching Captain, Woodwind Marching Captain, and Colorguard Captains.

“Our leadership team is responsible for several different things in the program. Each member has a different job to do that helps things run smoothly,” Aaron Daniel, the associate director of bands, said. “The leadership sort of picks up the slack. They definitely make our band program a better environment.”

The audition is made up of two parts: interviewing and marching. The process takes place in the band hall and in the student parking lot next to the band tower.

“Before the audition we have a two to three day camp where we relearn marching technique and certain things needed to know for leadership,” Cliff Little, quartermaster for the leadership team, said “I was uncomfortably nervous during the actual audition.”

During the marching segment, students relearn the proper way to march and do certain things to be an excellent marcher. The diamond drill and the direction changes exercise are performed on the final audition day in assigned groups of four students.

“I love marching,” said Riley Freeman, the french horn section leader for 2014-2015, “The marching portion of the audition is always fun for me.”

During the interview segment, students have to enter the band hall alone with all directors and answer questions about what they could contribute to the leadership team and to the band.

“I think the interview and documenting portion of the audition is the most important part,” said Haleigh Nordmeyer, the trumpet section leader for 2014-2015, “It shows who is serious and compassionate about the band and the leadership team, and who isn’t.”

The Drum Major audition process is different from the rest of the students’. Drum majors are asked to keep count on a sound block during the marching portion for the students to march to. Then, when everyone is done with their interview portion, drum major auditioners will walk in one by one to complete an interview about what they can provide to the band and conduct a well-known recorded marching show for the directors.

“Drum Majors are in charge of maintaining tempo and controlling tempo changes for the entire band,” Head Drum Major Kristen Pierri said. “It’s a pretty difficult thing to do but you get used to it.”

In addition to interviews and marching, students have to complete paper work and document all of their achievements in the band program (for example, making first divisions at UIL on solos and ensembles) as well as write an essay on what leadership means to them.

After carefully looking over all audition materials and considering the skills present in each student that auditioned, directors will decide which positions to fill with whom.

The results will be posted on the back wall of the band hall the week of May 4.

“Making leadership is always a rewarding experience,” Band President Luke Stephenson said. “It tells you that your hard work doesn’t go unrecognized.”

The Pride of the East leadership team works together to ensure the success of the band program.

“This is a group of students that go above and beyond to support an activity that they love to do,” Glenn Lambert, the head director of bands, said. “Understand that you will be pushed to work to your maximum potential and that your best is always expected. Work ethic and determination are the best skills you can have in this band.”