2012 BATTERY AUDITION PACKET

SNARE

by Murray Gusseck, Glen Crosby &

Rick Barclay
Table of Contents

Preface................................................................................3

Blue Knights Technique Program........................................4

Grip......................................................................4
Smooth, but articulate................................... ....8

Stroke Exercises..................................................................9
Regarding Velocity Strokes..................................9
Rebound Stokes.....................................................9

Rebound Stroke Exercises

Single-Double-Triple............................................11
Singles to Doubles...............................................13
Basic Strokes: A Section......................................14

Controlled Strokes.............................................................15

Controlled Stroke Exercises

Milkbone..............................................................16
Barc-a-diddles.....................................................19
Basic Stokes: B Section........................................20

Multiple-Bounce Strokes.....................................................21

Multiple-Bounce Stroke Exercises

Giblet Rolls...........................................................21

Finger Training...................................................................22

Finger Training Exercises

Valvoline..............................................................24

Supplemental.....................................................................25
Bitty Rolls............................................................25
Flambake.............................................................26
Three Strikes........................................................27
 Preface

Welcome to the 2012 Blue Knights percussion program. This year looks to
be extremely exciting for the percussion section. Weve assembled a quality
group of educators that will deliver the best music and life experience
possible for the members. Ralph Hardimon will be the lead
composer/arranger for us. If you dont know who he is, youve probably
been living under a rock. Ralph is one of the greatest musicians to ever be
involved in the activity. Were very fortunate to have him in involved.

Heres a quick run down of the rest of the percussion staff:

Dan Darrah Pit instructor/ co-caption head

Rod Kosterman-Pit instructor
Brian Stevens- Ensemble/snare
Matt Ramey- Ensemble/ snare
Rick Barclay- Ensemble/ snare
Daniel Allen-Snare
Sean Knuth- Tenor
Ryan Claus- Tenor
Joe Fant- Bass
Alex Cardona-Bass

You can read more about them at bknights .org.

A little about the audition packet. Last year, Murray Gusseck and I got
together and talked about putting together a new technique program. We
talked concepts over a 2 day period. Then, I let him do his thing. This packet
is the result of those days. Although he wont be with us this year, his
concept of how to play will. What we will be looking for from you, is..

1. How well can you play the technique exercises.

2. Overall attitude.
3. Physical condition.
4. Any other intangibles.

There are multiple audition sites this year (Denver, Dallas, and Southern
California). Some of you will be wondering what audition days you need to
attend. The one that is closest to you would be the best one to attend first.
If you are a callback at any of the first audition days, you will need to be at
the December 16-18 camp in Denver. Then, final callbacks will be at the
January camp. If there are any problems with making the December camp,
it will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Im very much looking forward to this year. We will be striving to compete at

the HIGHEST level, so bring an open mind and a stellar work ethic.

Glen Crosby
Blue Knights Percussion Coordinator
 Multiple-Bounce Strokes
Multiple-bounce strokes are strokes where you get more than one sound from one wrist
motion. Diddles, buzz rolls, 3-stroke rolls, etc. are all examples of multiple-bounce
strokes.

Giblet Rolls

Your basic application of diddle figures in a triplet context.