Auditions to be held for marching band

Members must be between ages 13 and 21

The music starts and the crowd watches, waiting to see the formation. When the marching band comes out, matching in their head-to-toe uniforms, they look sharp.

There is a uniformity to the large group, a singular trait of the marching band. As music erupts from their instruments, the artists are one.

Veteran marching band member Randy Warner wants to recreate this on a large scale in Las Vegas.

On Saturday, he and the Las Vegas Marching Arts are holding auditions for the Southern Nevada Marching Honor Band at Mojave High School, 5302 Goldfield St. For specific audition times, visit www.lasvegasmarchingarts.org, as the day will be segregated by instrument.

Audition opportunities are available for anyone ages 13 to 21. The group is looking for 200 musicians and baton twirlers.

Once Warner has his band together, he plans on filming an audition tape he will submit for a chance to perform in the 2011 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif..

"The best news of all, is it doesn't cost the kids anything," Warner said.

The group, however, does need money and is sponsoring a fundraiser to help.

From 7 to 9 p.m. on June 6 at the UNLV Student Union Ballroom, the group will host an evening featuring Miss Greater Las Vegas, Miss United States and Miss Nevada that will have a silent auction, raffles, cash bar and food. In addition, the new members of the Southern Nevada Marching Honor Band will showcase their chops to a medley of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin music. Tickets for the evening cost $75 each.

If the group makes it to the Rose Parade, total costs for the journey could add up to somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000.

"If we make it, we won't know until October," Warner said.

Warner also is applying for the assembled group to perform in either the Fiesta Bowl Parade, the San Diego Holiday Parade or the Hollywood Christmas Parade. The band also may play in the Helldorado Parade and the Summerlin Fourth of July Parade. Selected band members will be required to attend four Saturday rehearsals and perform in the UNLV fundraiser show.

Cheyenne High School marching band director Daniel Brecht-Haddad said the concept of an honor marching band in Las Vegas makes sense, as the area is home to the fifth-largest public school district.

"It's such a cool opportunity for these kids, and they love it," Haddad said.

The band director was a member of the University of Washington's marching band, and he said it was one of the best experiences of his life. Being part of the group helped him secure his job at Cheyenne, and his best friends have come from his marching band days.

"It gives kids a place to be," Haddad said.

For more information on auditions or the fundraiser, contact Warner at (928) 767-4895 or randy@lasvegasmarchingarts.org.