2025

Color Guard
Audition Packet
& Information
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction........................................................................................................................1
About the Boise Gems........................................................................................................2
Attire………………..................................................................................................................2
Equipment…..……….............................................................................................................3
Audition Information..........................................................................................................4
Technique…………................................................................................................................5

I. INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on taking the first step towards becoming a member of the 2025 Boise
Gems Color Guard!

This packet includes information about the audition process as well as the technique
used in this program. Please read everything in this packet carefully and prepare the
material to the best of your ability!

We have several goals that are a part of the audition process. We want to provide you
an educational experience with lessons and skills that you will learn. We also want to
create a positive and safe environment for everyone involved. Lastly, we want to
promote innovation and creativity with what we do.

Feedback will be provided on all auditions whether it be in person or through video.

We are very excited for this upcoming season! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate
to reach out to us via Slack or email.
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II. ABOUT THE BOISE GEMS

Gems History

The Boise Gems is a recently established Drum and Bugle Corps in the Treasure Valley.
We are the first drum corps to be created in Idaho and have had 2 successful seasons
so far. Gems was founded in 2022 to provide this type of program for the state of
Idaho.

During the 2023 season, the Boise Gems fielded its first show and toured to three
cities in the northwest. Our first official DCI debut was at the Corps Encore in Salt Lake
City, scoring a 78.33 in the soundsport division.

The Boise Gems brought yet another successful season in 2024, performing at several
DCI shows in the northwest and scoring an average of 78.33.

The Goal of Gems:

The goal of the Boise Gems is to provide performers and musicians in the Treasure
Valley with a strong program that will help them to become more well-rounded in both
their life and their pursuits within the performing arts.

The Role of the Colorguard:

The color guard is responsible for providing the main visual aspect of our corpse. We
bring life to the story and theme of each show and create a great visual effect for
everyone to enjoy.

III. ATTIRE

Athletic clothing that is comfortable to spin and dance in (tank tops or t-shirts). Either
tennis shoes or jazz shoes. Longer hair should be pulled back and not in your face. No
rings or large pieces of jewelry that will get in the way of spinning. Gloves are optional
based on personal preference.
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III. EQUIPMENT

Practice flags will be provided at the audition camps. We will have a limited amount of
equipment so we recommend that you bring your own if possible. Please bring your
own rifle/saber if you are interested in auditioning for weapon line. If you are doing a
video audition, it will be up to you to have your own flag to record the audition with. Let
us know if there are any issues with equipment or if you are not able to bring your own
so we can make accommodations.

Please make sure that all equipment is taped properly (see taping instructions below)
and bring extra tape to the audition camps.

Flag Taping Instructions: Rifle Taping Instructions:

Here is a link to a great tutorial on how

to tape a rifle:
https://youtu.be/LURe8uXEzNc

Make sure that you use white electrical

tape and include a spotter (as seen in
the image below). Also be sure to tape
the screws in the bolt and strap.
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IV. AUDITION INFORMATION

In-Person Auditions:

There will be 3 different portions for the in-person audition process:

1) Movement -Everyone will do across the floors together. (see the technique
section for expectations). You will also learn a choreographed movement combo
to a song which you will perform at the end of the audition camp.
2) Flag - You will learn our flag warmup routine/combo to a song that will also
perform this combo at the end of the audition camp.
3) Weapon - If you are interested in rifle and/or sabre line, you will learn a
rifle/sabre combo and have a chance to showcase any tosses and/or other skills.

Video Auditions:

There will be 4 different portions for the video audition process. There will be
requirements on what we want to see in the video auditions that will be listed under
each section. Make sure that these requirements are incorporated into your combos,
the rest will be left up to creative interpretation.
1) Introduction - Provide a brief introduction including information about yourself
that you would like to share. Be sure to include your name, age, where you are
from and your past experience in color guard/marching band.
2) Movement - Present a short movement/dance combo of your choosing,
preferably to a song. This is an opportunity to showcase your style.
a) Try to incorporate kicks, rolls, leaps, etc.
3) Flag - Present a short combo on flag. This can be a warm up, previous show
choreo, a combo you wrote, etc. Showcase what you are able to do on flag. Use
either a song or a metronome to keep tempo.
a) Make sure you incorporate drop spins, flourishes, single tosses, single ½
tosses, parallel tosses and 45 tosses from the hip.
4) Weapon - If you are interested in rifle and/or sabre (not required), present a
short combo showcasing what you can do on weapon. If you are interested in
both rifle and sabre, you can choose to either combine both into one combo or
do 2 separate short combos.
a) Make sure you incorporate consecutives (drop spins), tosses up to a
quad preferred, double time (rifle only) and flourishes.
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V. TECHNIQUE

This section will go over the technique and moves we use. Be sure to read through this
carefully as this is what you can practice for auditions. If there are any questions or if
you do not know something, please don’t hesitate to reach out and we can help you the
best we can.

Movement:

All movement technique should flow well and showcase confidence. It is ok if you are
not very flexible, we would rather see technique compared to flexibility.

Across the floors - Jazz walks, jazz runs, chasse sauté (to the front), chasse to the side,
battement, and chaine turns.
Movement - Pliés, tendus, dégagés, battement, leaps, floor rolls, etc.

Flag:

All flag technique should be strong. You should squeeze on each hit and catch your
tosses with both hands. Checkpoints should be visible and extension throughout each
move is crucial.

Drop spins on the right and left

Double time on the right and left
Flourishes on the right and left
Cones
Single-double tosses
J (sometimes referred to as L) tosses
Parallel toss from behind the back
45 single toss from the hip

Rifle:

All weapon technique should be strong as well. You should be squeezing on each hit
and catch your tosses with both hands. Also made sure your hand technique is
consistent and you are not wrapping your thumb.
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Consecutives (also referred to as drop spins)

Double time
Flourishes
Backhands (left hand)
Strap toss
Parallel toss from the shoulder
Single-quad tosses

Sabre:

Sabre technique should also be strong. For consecutives, please practice the
“pinching” technique which is similar to rifle, however not wrapping your hand around
the sabre as much but relying on your thumb and pointer finger to get it around.

Consecutives (drop spins)

Flourishes
Parallel toss from behind the back
Single-quad hilt tosses
Single-triple blade tosses

*There will be more technique learned throughout auditions and the season. Please
note that not knowing all of these does not disqualify you from auditioning.