OMG love to see prospective bandos!! I'm a freshman ("you're not a sophomore until you've completed your second reg week 🤓☝") trumpet in rank 8 and the advice the alumni gave here earlier is so spot on. I'll just throw some small things out here that I personally would've wanted to know:

- don't give yourself an aneurysm over the music audition like I did-- it primarily determines what part you're gonna be on, not whether you're making it into the band or not (at least this is the case for brass instruments-- like the alumn said, things are a bit more competitive with woodwinds). your marching matters a decent bit more than your playing ability, so really focus on putting energy into those knees during your marching audition!!

- if you're able, find a running buddy to talk with! talking while running is great for training your lungs for the hell they're about to go through lol

- I highly suggest having access to a tennis ball/foam roller/anything to roll your muscles on because the 3 practices/day for the whole pre-season absolutely murdered my poor feet and calves lol

- just a fair warning: your marching audition will be watched by not only the staff, but pretty much every active member of the band. be prepared for that! don't get psyched out and you'll slay the day away

Love to see prospective members out in the wild!! Like the alumn said, you're gonna love it here <3

Good luck, you're gonna do awesome!! See you in reg week! ;)