Color Guard | The University of Tennessee Bands

**The 2026 Volunteer Color Guard Clinic is now LIVE: CLICK HERE for more information and to register!

The University of Tennessee Color Guard plays an important role in the visual presentation of the Pride of the Southland Band. The UT Color Guard performs at all home games in Neyland Stadium to over 100,000 fans and travels with the band to all of the away games where the full band is present. Previous color guard experience is valuable for membership in this organization. To become a member the Pride of the Southland Color Guard, students will need to register for an audition time. This year we are holding an audition exclusively for Color Guard on Sunday, April 19.

Rifle Line: Once the Color Guard is selected, there will be a separate audition for those interested in being a part of the rifle line. More information once the line is selected.

If you are interested in auditioning, please complete the Color Guard Audition Form or contact the band office at 865-974-5031 or utband@utk.edu. We will be sending out an audition schedule as we get closer to the audition date. If you are unavailable on these dates, please contact us to check into the possibility of scheduling an individual audition or a video audition. While we do accept video auditions, it is HIGHLY recommended you attend the live audition for the best possible evaluation. Video submissions will be due by April 14. If you need a video audition, we will reach out to you individually after you have filled out the Color Guard Audition Form with further instructions. Late auditions may be accepted if necessary.

Candidates should prepare the following:

Arrive wearing black jazz pants, a black shirt, black dance shoes, and performance hair and makeup.

For FLAG FUNDAMENTALS:

100 counts of regular drop spins w/ drop stop on both RIGHT & LEFT
20 counts of double time spins w/ drop stop on both RIGHT & LEFT
Demonstrate understanding & mastery of the following skills on both RIGHT & LEFT: (Can use old HS exercises)

Upper/Lower Cones

Thumb Flips

Row Boats

Flourishes

Tosses, right side only:

Pop Toss (Hands at Tab & Bottom Tape) 1.5 Rotations catch Silk Down

Pole Toss (Money hand from Top Tape on Pole), 1.5 Rotations catch Silk Down

Silk Toss (Toss from Third in Silk), 2 Rotations catch Silk Down

Flat Toss (Can show multiple variations) 1 Rotation minimum

45 Tosses (Standard Two Handed) Single catch silk up, 1.5 catch silk down, and Double catch silk up

For BODY FUNDAMENTALS:

BOTH SIDES

Jazz Walks (Coupe Walks)
Jazz Runs
Chasses
Sautes
Chaine Turns
Ground Rolls, from Standing, to ground, back to standing
Leaps (Split Leaps, Double attitude leaps, Variations of leaps)

Solo Routine:

Choose a 1:00-1:30 minute routine of your choice (“family friendly”). This will only be done with a flag (rifle will come at a later date). You can choose the music and routine of your choice. Make sure that this showcases your Training and strongest Performance abilities in this routine. Routines will be judged based on technique, difficulty, body placement/control, and overall performance and showmanship.

Marching (each mark time below will be with a metronome at Quarter Note = 120 bpm):

16 counts of low mark time at right shoulder
16 counts of low mark time with right drop spins & drop/stop
16 counts of 8-to-5 marching with right drop spins & drop/stop
32 counts of high mark time at right shoulder

Sequences (spin facing the front, 1 time each):

Beheaded
Steamboat (Rowboat)
Dance
All the Beautiful
Fireworks

Those chosen for the line are required to attend The University of Tennessee Color Guard Camp on June 12-14, 2026. Housing and meals will be provided for students during the camp.

Contact: CJ McCrory, Color Guard Coordinator

Email: utk.colorguard@gmail.com

Telephone: (865)-974-5031

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UTcolorguard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/utcolorguard/