The Audition Process

The J-Sette audition process is not an instructive process. It is an elimination process. The band staff, therefore is not obligated to train or instruct unsuccessful prospective J-Settes. All decisions are final. The process is designed to expeditiously select the best dance line from potentially 60 or more prospective J-Settes as measured by the Interview Component, Stage Presence Component, Agility Test/Dance Component and the Group Dance Component of the audition process outlined below:

I. Interview Component (5:00pm, Friday, April 15, 2005)

The purpose of the Interview Component is to determine the suitability of prospective J-Settes concerning anything in their backgrounds or moral turpitude(s) that may reflect negatively on the University, Band, and the J-Settes. Please dress appropriate in business attire.

Please note: Prospective J-Settees failing the Interview Component will not be allowed to proceed to the Stage Presence Component

II. Stage Presence Component (5:00pm, Friday, April 15, 2005)

The Stage Presence Component consist of the following factors:

• Poise and Grace
• Posture
• Attention/Command Position-The ability to stand at attention in a commanding manner, which includes, alignment and erectness of the body, the chin up, shoulders back, head up, while maintaining a pleasant smile.
• Walk-The judges will evaluate the fluidity and smoothness of the stride, military bearing (a dignified manner), and the erectness of the body.
• General Physical Fitness-Physical fitness will be determined by visual observation and face validity. It cannot be overly emphasized that prospective J-Settes must be physical fit and look physical fit as determined by the judges.

Please note: Prospective J-Settes failing the Stage Presence Component will not be allowed to proceed to the Agility Test/Dance Component

III. Agility Test/Dance Component (7:00pm, Friday, April 15, 2005)

Prospective J-Settes with one or more years of experience as a member of the Jackson State University Prancing J- Sette Dance Line are exempted from this phase of the audition process. However, they must participate and pass the following components: Interview component, Stage Presence Component, and the Group Dance Component.

A. Agility Test
The agility test determines the prospective J-Sette’s ability to execute skill movements required in J-Sette dance routines. The skill movements include:

• Left Split
• Right Split
• Forward Roll
• Backward Roll
• Left Kick
• Right Kick
• Round Off
• Cartwheel
• Toe Touch
• Back Bend

B. Dance Routine
The purpose of the dance routine is to determine if the prospective J-Sette has a sense of rhythm, time and coordination with music. Also, the prospective J-Sette is evaluated to the extent in which they incorporate the required skill movements within their dance routine.

Please note: Prospective J-Settes failing the Agility Test/Dance Component will not be allowed to proceed to the Group Dance Component

IV. Group Dance Component (3:00pm, Sunday, April 17, 2005)

The group dance determines the prospective J-Sette’s ability to execute a fundamental J-Sette dance routine within the dynamics of a group. All prospective J-Settes will be required to perform the same dance routine. They are given four hours of instruction the day prior (8:00am-12:00pm, Saturday, April 16, 2005) to the final audition. Depending on the number of prospective J-Settes, they will be required to perform the group dance routine in groups of threes. The prospective J-Settes will be given three opportunities to pass the final audition. The judges will employ a dichotomous scale (passed or failed) to determine whether the prospective J-Sette passes or fails the audition. During the first round, all judges must be in concordance that the prospective J-Sette passed the audition. During the second round, the prospective J-Sette cannot receive more than one dissenting vote. During the third round, the prospective J-Sette can pass the audition with two dissenting votes from the judges.