Audition Process: New Member POV

Hello, my name is Ron.

After many years spent in front of audiences within the performing arts, I now stand before you as a “Newbie”-- a badge that I proudly wear in this my 1st season with the Northern Lights All-Age Drum Corps.

How it All Started

The path to this moment began as a member of the inaugural marching band at Grand Valley State University under Dr. William Root. Since then I have been privileged to be part of many groups such as the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, Calvin Alumni Orchestra, Opera Grand Rapids, West Michigan Gilbert and Sullivan, Hark-Up, West Michigan Opera, Grand River Big Band, Shadblow Theater and others.

Over the years one of the high points my wife Vicky and I enjoyed was watching when DCI Finals used to be broadcast on PBS each year. This progressed to traveling to various competition sites in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and ultimately the Finals in Indianapolis. Unfortunately, in recent years this was not possible due to working out of town on an extended basis.

Fast forward to 2025 and being able to retire.

To get back to something we liked to do together, Vicky and I decided to go to the Allendale show at GVSU this last summer. Had heard a bit about “Northern Lights” and stopped by the booth to find out more. Was met with my 1st “Wow” impression that evening with feeling the sense of community given off by the “Lights” team sitting at the tent

Back in the stands, we settled in for the competition and were then rolled over by the 2nd “WOW” of the night when the “Wall of Sound” enveloped us in the “Sweet Dreams” of 2025.

Had to be part of this group today, rather than saying “someday, I might”.


Audition Season

The Prep - Downloaded the Brass book at the start of the audition season back in October and was not sure that I could even get through the material for the audition. The warm-ups alone were daunting in that my standard warm-up was 3-5 minutes (max) followed by the Gig I was on that day.

I then started daily practice and memorization at the start of November, coupled with an “Accountability” white board for both the body work (balance, movement, breathing) and playing (Long tones, Flex, Flow studies + audition pieces). Even started using weights on my arms and legs to condition the muscle memory that would be needed for the upcoming camps and the summer season.

Open House Camp – The nerves were running high as we gathered at Belding HS for the start of the audition process. Lots of talent seen everywhere with both the new and experienced applicants. Also saw that I was one of the oldest attendees sitting there in the auditorium.

Yet even while standing at the registration table and mingling with the vets and staff that I had met at GVSU, I had immediately felt welcomed right from the start!

All this simply reconfirmed the decision that this was a team to be part of.

Audition Camp – If the personal stress level was high at the Open House, it was nothing compared to the actual Audition camp #1 in December.

The expectation and criteria were well laid out in the Brass book download and it was up to us to do the work at home to prepare.

I had always been picked up for various groups based upon performances seen/heard and had never needed to officially audition before, so although feeling pretty comfortable with the prep level achieved prior to Camp #1, the process of actually presenting during the 1:1 portion was definitely a unique experience.

Frankly – botched the Audition pieces.

The experience created a time of self reflection on the ride home, hoping that participation in the next camp (#2) would be allowed to continue. Later that night, my wife asked “what had happened”, especially since she knew the prep that had occurred, coupled with the experience of many solo/lead bits over the past years.

In review of the day, only then realized that the issue was not the audition process, but instead was one of my own making. Namely, rather than going into the 1:1 with the opportunity to present “Music” for the staff, had instead tried to play perfection into the “notes”. When that happens, we choke off our creative and performance capabilities. A lesson well learned.

With all that said, the staff and team were very kind in their approach and feedback.

Although, the 1:1 was not as successful as needed to be, it soon became obvious that the staff was very true to their word in that a contract to join the team was not based solely on the 1:1, as is the case in many situations. Rather instead, it is based upon the total package of actions / results seen throughout all the audition camps, and up through the call-backs on Jan 3rd of this year.

The Result = I'm now truly blessed and privileged to be here today, as a proud “Newbie” member of the “Lights” team.