Events
Where's Mike off to next?
Mike is graduating as a Bachelor of Science in Music Production from Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL!
Read all about it here.
I’ll be running a Front Ensemble Track as well as presenting The Power of Smart Sound Design to the band director track!
Come be a part of something special at United Percussion Auditions!
2020 AUDITION REQUIREMENTS
(Please read)
In order to download the combined audition packet, you must register. Once registered, you will receive an e-mail containing a secure link for download. This link is only valid for 24 hours from delivery. If you do not download within 24 hours, and the link invalidates, please contact info@unitedpercussion.org for re-delivery. The download link re-directs to a .zip file so it is highly recommended to download from a desktop device. You can register by simply clicking on the section button you wish to audition for. We do not charge a separate fee for audition packets. Membership in the A Class Ensemble will receive additional warm-up material once a contract is offered and the commitment fee has been paid.
After completing your registration and download, we ask that you pay the audition fee. The fee is required prior to auditioning and is non-refundable. You may pay by using the button below. We offer a discounted fee of $50 before 11:59 PM on 9/6. It will rise to $60 thereafter. Those who were not able to attend our first audition are able to submit a video for evaluation and a possible callback. See the video audition guidelines for details here.
Leading up to the audition, you can submit any questions to info@unitedpercussion.org or to our staff listed in your packets. We encourage all prospective members to link themselves to our social media accounts in order to network with other former, current, and future members. Connect with us on our official facebook, twitter or instagram pages. We also have a 2020 interest group on Facebook that you can join here.
You may submit videos of your playing at any time leading up to the audition, for extra review and commentary.
Snares/Tenors/Keyboard Players - We also require that you prepare a short audition piece. The piece should be at least 1 minute in length and should "showcase" your talents for the staff. If you have other talents, unrelated to percussion, be sure to let us know!
All prospective members will also be tested on performance, acting and stage presence. How you present and communicate your technical ability is a BIG part of the process.
Positions are available in every section and our auditions are open to anyone between the ages of 14-22 (must be born on or after April 1st, 1997). We are also accepting registrations for those interested in visual ensemble or audio/visual technical positions within the group. Click on any of the "register and download" section buttons and select your desired position in the drop down menu.
Our first auditions are on Sunday, September 22nd, 2019 from 10 AM-6 PM at Sterling High School, 501 S Warwick Rd., Somerdale, NJ 08083. Please note that we pride ourselves on making sure that every potential member is evaluated and provided feedback. Due to the short nature of the day, it is recommended to become as familiar as possible with the audition materials so you can show us the best possible you. Callback auditions are scheduled for Sunday, October 6th, 2019 from 10 AM-6 PM at Sterling High School, 501 S Warwick Rd., Somerdale, NJ 08083.
This season we will be accepting applications for Audio/Visual technicians/performers. These performers will be a part of the production and should be experienced with stage production programs like Q-Lab and Logic, Final Cut Pro, Mainstage and MIDI. If you are interested in one of these limited positions, you can email your letter of interest and cv/resume to info@unitedpercussion.org.
FAQ'S
United understands that many of our potential members march and/or teach. Therefore, we allow members to schedule audition blocks. Simply email the staff at info@unitedpercussion.org and advise us of your situation. We will work with you to hold your evaluation at a specific time. While we recommend that you stay for the entire audition, if you must leave early, you will be permitted to leave the audition after you are evaluated.
Auditions are open to anyone aged 14-22. If you are a member of the military and enlisted at age 18, you may be eligible for the "military exception". This allows you 1 year of eligibility immediately after completion of your service. Please contact us at info@unitedpercussion.org to determine your eligibility status.
Drumsticks, water, and lunch. If you are trying out for the keyboard section, we will have mallets for you to use. You are welcome to bring your own. If you are trying out for snare, tenor and/or bass, you should bring your own drumsticks. If you have your own drum and stand, feel free to bring it. If you are trying out for the cymbal line, there will be cymbals available for use, but you are more than welcome to bring your own set. Potential members should also dress appropriate for the weather and also for a short movement related block with appropriate footwear (no jeans, jean shorts, or cargo shorts).
Most of United's members are full-time college or high school students who also participate in DCI, DCA, or other music-oriented programs within their schools. United encourages our members to participate in "Music and Art" related activities and, in most cases, can coordinate a schedule with your outside activity to allow dual participation.
United practices on some weekends in the fall, with almost all weekends in the winter. The practice season begins at the end of November and lasts until WGI World Championships in April. The unit practices primarily on weekends, with the exception of our December move-in camp, March spring break camp, and WGI World Championships week.
In such a case, you should immediately bring the conflict(s) to our attention. Depending on the conflict(s), we may be able to work out a schedule for participation.
United rehearses in locations central to the Philadelphia area. For those who will be taking public transportation we highly suggest traveling to 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. From there you will be able to easily carpool to the rehearsal locations. Member carpools are consistently available.
UP has had many members from Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania. We have some members drive or carpool 8 hours round trip and some who travel 45 minutes. We have even had members move from Texas, Japan and Taiwan to New Jersey to march. If you have a desire to march, it can happen.
Primarily, rehearsals are held at:
Sterling High School
501 S Warwick Rd
Somerdale, NJ 08083
We pride ourselves on keeping the cost to march as low as we can. The tour fee (dues) for United Percussion World will be $1500 for new members and $1400 for veterans and DCI World Class Finalists. The tour fee (dues) for United Percussion 2 will be the same as the World Ensemble. In addition to the dues, you will be required to participate in unit fundraisers and, separately, pay for your cost to the WGI World Championships ($450). There is also a Regional Travel Fee for the World Ensemble (up to $200) which covers travel costs. We do offer several payment plans to help with the fees. We also offer a $100 early payment discount for those who pay off by December 31st, 2019. Additionally, you should plan to pay for your own uniform, performance shoes, and food. Fundraising and sponsorship opportunities are available. In our region, you will not find a better bang for your buck than United.
We do NOT provide transportation or housing. We CAN assist you with coordinating them. If you are coming from out of town prior to the audition, simply email info@unitedpercussion.org and let us know.
Join Thom Hannum, Darren Hazlett, and Mike Bishop at the 2019 Vivace Productions Percussion Camp hosted by the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band. You can sign up here!
Mike Bishop will be a presenting clinician at the Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band Summer Symposium! Students & Band Directors alike can sign up here!
The WGI Sport of the Arts Advisory Board Meetings occur annually every May. Rule proposals, among other topics, are thoroughly and thoughtfully discussed amongst the leaders in the indoor color guard, marching percussion, and marching winds community.
I wish the best of luck to the following groups:
United Percussion (PIW) - Sound Design
Franklin Central (PSW) - Sound Design
Spirit Winter Percussion (PIO) - Front Ensemble Instruction
Old Bridge HS (PSO) - Complete Front Ensemble Arrangement
Nease HS (PSO) - Complete Front Ensemble Arrangement
Unionville HS (PSA) - Complete Front Ensemble Arrangement
Burleson Centennial HS (WSW) - Sound Design
I'll be attending Music For All's Bands of America Grand National Championships this November with the Cedar Park High School Timberwolf Band! I'm currently in my sixth season serving as the Front Ensemble Coordinator for CPHS and this will be my first time attending BOA Grand Nationals with Cedar Park as we present our 2016 production, "All Hallow's Eve". Hailing from the northwest border of Austin, Texas, Cedar Park is a considerable distance from Indianapolis and has only made the cross-country trip one other time (2010), placing tenth in the nation in Bands of America Grand National Finals competition - an unprecedented achievement for a school's first time attending "Grand Nats".
For educators, designers, and directors, BOA Grand Nats (one of the largest marching competitions in the world, with over 100 competing groups) offers a time to reconnect with old colleagues & friends from around the country, while providing a chance to build connections & relationships with new ones, all the while providing a positively life-changing experience for all the performing students in attendance. I couldn't be more excited to return to Lucas Oil Stadium and the City of Indianapolis (home to DCI World Championships) to see the best in American high school marching music and get a chance to show the rest of the country what we've been building down here in Austin, but I think the students and parents of Cedar Park High School might have me beat. #GetYourTwolvesUp🐺 #AllHallowsEve🎃
"The Eagle" - The coveted Bands of America Grand National Champion's traveling trophy, won by Broken Arrow HS (OK) in 2015
I'll be attending the Drum Corps Europe Championships for the very first time this September! I am the Front Ensemble Arranger for the Spirit of '52 drum corps from Rastede, Germany and will be with the group for a rehearsal weekend the week before Finals and for all Finals Week activities.
I couldn't be more excited to return to Germany to work with some of the best in European marching music. The last time I was in Europe was with European X from Almere, The Netherlands at CGN Finals back in 2014. I also had the chance to work with Spirit of '52 twice during my time there. Pumped to be back!
I'm stepping into a new role at a new organization this upcoming WGI Percussion season: I will be serving as the Front Ensemble Arranger for the George Mason University Indoor Drumline and couldn't be more excited!
I'm really looking forward to auditions this upcoming weekend and getting to meet a lot of new faces! We have a great team at GMU for 2017 - check out the Facebook Page to learn more!
I'm super excited to be partnering with The X Academy to provide services in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky! I'll be based out of the Dayton area on a clinic tour through...
