"Ohio's Pride" Feature Twirlers

The University of Akron Marching Band Feature Twirlers are members of the marching band who exhibit the highest level of dedication to excellence. As some of the most visible members of the band, feature twirlers represent UA with overflowing Zips pride, big smiles, and big tricks to wow the crowd! 

Congratulations to the 2024 UA "Ohio's Pride" Feature Twirlers!

Madison Watson is third year UA Feature Twirler studying Health and Human Sciences. She twirled for Sylvania Northview High School in addition to twirling competitively in teams and individually. 

Alex Aguirre is a second year UA Feature Twirler studying Health and Human Sciences. He twirled for Hoover High School as well as with the Jazz Dolls. He competed in the 2022 World Championship Competition held in Norway and in the 2023 World Championships held in Liverpool. 

Feature Twirler Auditions

Every member of the feature twirler section is required to audition each year. Auditions are held annually during the spring semester prior to football season. All interested twirlers must register to audition. Audition dates and registration links are released at the end of each fall semester. 

All prospective twirlers must be graduating high school in the year in which they audition OR enrolled in classes at UA for the fall semester in which they wish to twirl. If selected as a feature twirler, members must enroll in the Marching Band class (MUSEN:126 - undergraduates, MUSEN:626 - graduate students). 

Audition Schedule

Auditioning twirlers will meet on audition day promptly at the report time in Guzzetta Hall (157 University Ave., Akron, OH). A welcome meeting and meet and greet will begin the audition process. Parents/guardians/accompanying family may wait in Guzzetta Hall during auditions or can explore campus. Auditions are closed to the public. Twirlers will be escorted to the audition location from Guzzetta Hall. 

Audition Requirements

Audition requirements are meant to ensure a standard of skill and performance level across all Ohio's Pride feature twirlers. While the requirements are set to offer guidance on how to showcase your skills, we are looking for personal finesse, performance quality, and twirling ability. Highlight your strengths within the confines of the audition requirements. 

• 1 baton routine set to music of your choice (2:30-3:00)
  • No novelty items may be used. 
• Multiple baton routine set to must of your choice (2:30-3:00)
  • No novelty items may be used. At least 1:00 of 2-baton and 1:00 of 3-baton. 4+ batons are encouraged. 
• Improvisation routine
  • Music will be provided by UA band staff on the day of the audition. Twirlers will not be allowed to hear the music prior to audition day. 
• Marching/Down the Field (64 counts of 8)
  • Set to the UA Fight Song. Twirlers are welcome to showcase marching skills in any of the following ways: 
    • High knee marching across the field
    • Down the field routine with marching incorporated
    • A fight song routine familiar to the twirler (i.e. a high school fight song or the UA Fight Song routine)
• Required Tricks: The following tricks are the base tricks for pregame routines. Twirlers are encouraged to showcase a higher level of difficulty when asked. 
  • 3-spin (minimum)
  • Reverse illusion combination (i.e. spin-illusion, double illusion, illusion walkover, etc.)
  • Forward illusion combination
  • Walkover/cartwheel (both encouraged, but only one required)
  • Walkover/cartwheel combination (i.e. illusion cartwheel, leap walkover, etc.)
  • Leap combination (Done under the twirler's choice of toss. I.e. flat toss with a split leap/illusion, vertical toss with an open second leap and floor roll, etc. Double leaps are acceptable.)
  • 4 elbow rolls (minimum)
  • Forward fishtails
  • Backward fishtails
  • 3 Back neck rolls (minimum)
  • Twirler's choice
    • Twirlers are encouraged to show their strengths by choosing a trick they would like the judges to see. While this does not need to be a large trick, it should be creative and executed with precision.