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The Washington Commanders Marching Band will be holding open auditions for the 2025 season on March 8-9 at District Heights Recreation Center, the home of the Washington Commanders Music Department. Each audition day will include morning music auditions and an invited afternoon marching audition.
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone, Tenor drums, Bass drum, Cymbals
Offers to join the marching band for the 2025 season will be sent following auditions. Band members are part-time employees of the Washington Commanders and are paid for rehearsals, games, and special appearances. Percussion rehearsals will begin in February. Winds/brass rehearsals will likely begin in April. A schedule of season rehearsal and game commitments will be provided to members following the NFL schedule release in May. Additional special events are announced on a rolling basis.
As paid employees, musicians are expected to meet standards of musical excellence and professional etiquette including preparedness, timeliness, and communication.
Musicians who are accepted by audition for the 2025 season and complete the 2025 season in good standing may be invited to participate in the 2026 season without an audition.
All portions of auditions will be held at the District Heights Recreation Center, the home of the Washington Commanders Music Department. There is abundant free parking in the parking lot adjacent to the Rec Center.
2000 Marbury Dr, District Heights, MD 20747
PERCUSSION VIDEO AUDITIONS - Video auditions are being accepted for tenor drums, bass drum, and cymbals, with a submission deadline of Monday, February 24.
Instructions for video audition content are available here: https://tinyurl.com/commandersband2025
Complete this form to submit your video audition: https://tinyurl.com/wcmbpercussionaudition
WINDS/BRASS - In-person auditions are strongly preferred. Video auditions will be considered in extenuating circumstances. If you would like to submit a video audition, please email marchingband@commanders.com for instructions.
Applicants are invited (but not required) to pre-register for their audition: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/iidCUV3jCP
Walk-up audition registration will also be available on site, on a first come first serve basis. The last registration will be accepted at 11am on each audition day.
INFORMATION
There are two rounds to the winds/brass marching band audition - music and marching.
Music - Individuals should attend a morning music audition on Saturday or Sunday. Auditions will occur on a first come first serve/rolling basis with the last registration accepted at 11am.
Marching - If individuals pass the music audition, they will be invited to the afternoon marching audition on the same day. Please wear athletic clothes and shoes, and be prepared to march outside.
In addition to the marching band audition, musicians may play additional music auditions to be considered for "Command Band," a sub-ensemble of the marching band that plays at special events. More information about Command Band auditions is below.
Alto saxophone, trumpet, mellophone, trombone, and baritone players should bring their own instruments to the audition. Sousaphone players should bring a mouthpiece.
- Baritone and mellophone players in the band play on personally-owned or rented instruments during the season. If you do not have a baritone or a mellophone at audition time, you are welcome to instead audition on euphonium or horn.
- Sousaphone players in the band are provided with instruments. Musicians interested in auditioning on sousaphone may either bring a tuba to audition on OR should bring a mouthpiece and play on a provided sousaphone.
WINDS/BRASS MARCHING BAND AUDITION SCHEDULE
Saturday March 8
9am-12pm Music Auditions
1pm-3pm Marching Auditions
Sunday March 9
9am-12pm Music Auditions
1pm-3pm Marching Auditions
Winds/Brass Marching Band Audition Excerpts
Musicians should prepare BOTH:
1. One audition excerpt. Excerpts may be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/commandersband2025
2. A solo excerpt of your own choosing (no longer than 60 seconds). We recommend you select something that shows your strengths as a musician. Please bring two copies of the sheet music of your solo excerpt for the adjudicators
WINDS/BRASS COMMAND BAND AUDITIONS
"Command Band," is a sub-ensemble of the Washington Commanders Marching Band that plays at special events. Auditioning for Command Band is voluntary. Membership in Command Band is only open to musicians who are offered a spot in the Marching Band.
The instrumentation of Command Band is: 2 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 3 trumpets, mellophone, 2 trombones, and rhythm section.
This offseason, we are holding auditions for all Command Band spots. Musicians may audition for Command Band on as many instruments as they would like, but will only be considered for Command Band spots for the instruments they audition (e.g., if a musician auditions on alto saxophone for the Marching Band and only on bari saxophone for Command Band, they will not be considered for an alto saxophone spot in Command Band).
MUSICIANS SHOULD PREPARE:
1. One Command Band audition excerpt in full. Excerpts may be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/commandersband2025
2. A solo excerpt of your own choosing (no longer than 60 seconds). We recommend you select something that shows your strengths as a musician. *Please bring two copies of the sheet music of your solo excerpt for the adjudicators*
Musicians may also be requested to play a chromatic scale to demonstrate range, and, when they check-in for a Command Band audition, will be asked if they are comfortable improvising solos.
FAQs
WHO COMPRISES THE COMMANDERS MARCHING BAND?
The band is made up of professional musicians, avocational musicians, and student musicians from around the Mid-Atlantic. Many members are music teachers, gigging musicians, or studio musicians.
WHERE DOES THE MARCHING BAND PLAY?
The Washington Commanders Marching band performs at every Commanders home game, as well as at community events throughout the Washington, D.C. region.
Most game days, the marching band performs in a parade around the concourse before the game, at Legends Plaza before the game, and on the field for a pregame performance. At some games, the drumline performs at the USO Tent before the game. One or two times per season, the marching band performs the National Anthem and an on-field Halftime show.
You can celebrate a Commanders win on your way out of the stadium by enjoying the drumline's post-victory performance at Gate A!
WHAT STYLE OF MUSIC DOES THE COMMANDERS MARCHING BAND PLAY?
The Marching Band plays traditional marching band fare, arranged popular music, and the Commanders Fight Song, "Hail to the Commanders.
WHEN ARE REHEARSALS AND PERFORMANCES?
The Marching Band generally rehearses once per week during the weeks of home games, with additional rehearsals scheduled as necessary. The Marching Band performs during every home game, and occasionally at special events. The Marching Band also rehearses prior to the start of regular season.
WHERE DOES THE BAND REHEARSE?
The Commanders are proud to partner with the District Heights Recreation Center, which is the official home of the Washington Commanders Music Department. The marching band rehearses on the District Heights Rec Center Field.
WHAT IF I CAN’T MAKE EVERY REHEARSAL?
All musicians who are interested in the marching band and who are generally available on Wednesday evenings and Sundays are encouraged to audition. The NFL schedule is released in May, and a season rehearsal schedule is provided to members at that time, specifying exact rehearsal and game dates to the degree they are known. Members are expected to attend every rehearsal and game, with some exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
ARE COMMANDERS MARCHING BAND MEMBERS PAID?
All musicians are paid for every rehearsal, game, and public performance. Band members are considered part-time employees of the Washington Commanders.
ARE THERE ANY PERKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE POSITION?
Yes. All Marching Band members are part time employees of the Commanders and receive all the associated benefits. All musicians receive complimentary parking for all rehearsals and games. All musicians are eligible for staff ticket benefits.
WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS TO AUDITION
Self-own or rent musical instrument, ability to stand for long periods of time (accommodation will be made for members with physical disabilities), must be 18 years of age or older and have graduated high school. Reliable transportation to make rehearsals and performances. Must be a U.S. citizen or authorized to be employed in the United StatesÂ
i.   Woodwind / Brass Instruments:Â
All woodwind and brass applicants must have their own instrument (except for tubas)Â
An expectation that musicians will perform at a professional or collegiate levelÂ
ii.   Percussion Instruments: Percussionists are expected to do a mix of traditional drumline, R&B, Go-Go, and other Pop styles with a bit of original choreography.
WILL UNIFORMS BE PROVIDED?
Yes, all uniforms will be provided for all performances. Â
Meals, beverages, and snacks are provided for the band on performance days.
DIDN’T SEE AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION?
Please reach out to us at marchingband@commanders.com and we will do our best to answer all questions.