Auditions & Scholarships

Welcome! If you’re interested in being part of the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band, this page walks you through exactly what you need to do, step by step.

• About the Pride of Oklahoma
• Audition Overview
• Audition Steps
• What Happens Next?
• Pride Audition: Helpful Checklist
• OU Bands Non-Major Scholarship Auditions

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Since 1904, "The Pride" has been an integral part of the campus culture and a catalyst for university spirit. As the largest and most visible student group on campus, we have a three-point mission:

1. Serving our university as first-class ambassadors on and off the field.
2. Supporting the Sooners with relentless energy! Win-or lose, rain or shine, the Pride never gives up on OUr team.
3. Engaging and inspiring our fans through the highest quality performances our combined efforts can produce.

Fall rehearsals take place during our class meeting time: M/W/R/F from 4:30-6:30p. Drumline and Color Guard sectionals are on Tuesdays. Attendance is required at all rehearsals and performances. Class conflicts can often be resolved through advanced planning and communication and should not deter you from auditioning.

You must be a full-time student at the University of Oklahoma. Enrollment in one of the following course levels is required: MUTE 1070/3070/5070, Section 1 (University Marching Band). Pride of Oklahoma is a variable credit course for 1 or 0 hours.

Students majoring in Music Education, Bachelor of Musical Arts, or Bachelor of Arts in music may count participation in Pride toward their degree requirements (specific details listed on each degree program check sheet).

All students who want to be in the Pride of Oklahoma audition every year — including incoming freshmen, transfer students, and veteran members.

Woodwind, Brass, and Percussion auditions are completed by video submission. Color Guard hosts an in-person audition day in April (video submission is allowed if you cannot attend the in-person audition).

May 1 at 11:59 PM (Central Time)

By Friday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. (CST) by email.

We’re happy to help – reach out to the appropriate area/person:

• Woodwinds & Trumpets: Mr. Brian Britt (bbritt@ou.edu)
• Mellophones & Low Brass: Dr. Eric Shannon (es@ou.eu)
• Percussion: Dr. Cory Doran (cory.doran-1@ou.edu)
• Color Guard: TJ Blackburn (tjblackburn@ou.edu)

Before you can audition, you must complete the online audition registration form.

Register - 2026 Pride Audition

Once you register:        

• You will receive an audition packet by email
• The packet contains music, instructions, and expectations specific to your section

Important: You cannot complete your audition without registering first, and you must be an accepted OU student before you can register.

Audition requirements differ slightly depending on your section. All details are provided in your audition packet. However, here are some general tips for submitting competitive audition videos:

• Acquaint yourself with all the audition components for your section/instrument: the instructions, the music cuts, the visual exercise, etc. Make sure you know “what” you need to do.
• Follow all instructions exactly! For example – you will earn 50 points simply for playing the etudes in the posted order. Conversely, you will lose those points if you play the etudes out of order!
• Once you know “what” you need to do, break it down and focus on learning the material one area at a time.
• Practice frequently. Practice with a friend.
• Start with slow tempos, then increase tempos by steady, small increments.
• Begin recording several weeks before the deadline. Record an initial video and review it with a teacher, family member, or trusted mentor. After additional practice, record a new video and seek feedback focused on specific areas for improvement. Repeat this process as time allows. Once you have multiple recordings, select the strongest performance and submit that version.

Music Tip: Focus on clear playing, good fundamentals, and steady tempo. Perfection is not expected – preparedness and potential matter.

Visual Tip: Step size really matters. Pay attention to your step sizes and evenly pace yourself through each move so you arrive at each direction change precisely on count 8.

Please follow these guidelines carefully:

• For both music and visual auditions, record one continuous, unedited video unless otherwise stated
• Woodwinds and Brass will upload two videos (1 for music and 1 for visual)
• Percussion (and Guard) will upload one video only (but they have multiple segments within their one video)
• Make sure your face, hands, and instrument/body/field markings are clearly visible
• Use good lighting and record in a quiet space
• Dress comfortably — marching band attire is not required

Video Upload Instructions

• Upload your videos to YouTube
• Set the videos to Unlisted (not Private)
• Have a trusted person in your life check that the links works
• Copy the video link

Submit your YouTube video link(s) using the “Video Audition Upload” form. This link is included in your PDF audition packet and was also emailed to you after registration. The URL begins with:  ”https://qualtrics.ou.edu/jfe/form/SV_d55...”

Color Guard auditions are in-person on April 18, but if you cannot attend this event, a video will be sent to you on April 3. Follow the directions and upload an audition video link to the “Video Audition Upload” form sent to you after registration.

Submission deadline:

May 1 at 11:59 PM (Central Time)

Late submissions may not be accepted.

Your audition video will be reviewed by a panel of professionals hired to ensure that your efforts are expertly evaluated. After all videos are reviewed:

• You will be notified by email regarding your Pride placement
• Acceptance decisions will be sent to your OU email by May 15 at 5:00pm (Central Time)

For selected members:

• Percussion has a “Percussion Camp” in June. The details are in your audition packet.
• For Woodwinds, Brass, and Guard, there are two “Friday Fundamentals and Fellowship” Clinics – one in June and one in July.
• All selected members will attend Pride Camp in August before the fall semester begins. Pride Camp is required.

Pride Camp (August)  /  Full vs. Shared Marching Spot Assessment

2026 Members will begin passing off important Pregame Show music in the summer via videos – earning valuable feedback from student-leaders and staff. Successful completion of the summer music pass offs plays an important role in who earns a full versus shared marching spots (more info on this below).

Pride Camp (August):

• Full vs. Shared Marching Spot Auditions:
  • The Pride of Oklahoma utilizes full (~92% of the total membership) and shared marching spots (~8% of the total membership).
  • The first days of Pride Camp are focused on teaching the marching spot audition routine and executing and evaluating the auditions.
• Additionally…
  • All music is learned in sectionals and as a full ensemble.
  • Marching fundamentals are learned and improved.
  • The OU Football Pregame show is learned.
  • The first halftime show is learned.

Use this checklist to stay on track:

• ☐ Complete audition registration form
• ☐ Receive and review audition packet / Materials
• ☐ Practice required materials
• ☐ Guard attends in-person audition April 18
• ☐ Record audition video(s)
• ☐ Upload video(s) to YouTube (Unlisted)
• ☐ Submit video link on or before May 1

We’re excited you’re interested in the Pride of Oklahoma and look forward to hearing your audition!

BOOMER SOONER!