Auxiliary units within the Big Red Marching Machine include the Color Guard, Drumline, Redline Express Dance Team, and Feature Twirlers. Each auxiliary team is integral to the Big Red Marching Machine. Membership to the teams is through audition only. Information about the auditions are posted below.
Questions about the Big Red Marching Machine, email Dr. Wood at fmwood@ilstu.edu Questions about Auxiliaries, email Prof. Bobarsky at lbobars@ilstu.edu
DRUM LINE AUDITION INFORMATION
Please complete the Drum Line Audition Registration form by Friday, April 17, 2026.
- Audition Day 1: Saturday, May 2nd - 9:00 am - noon rehearsal in Cook Hall 212 (new and returning members). 1-3 pm (new member auditions only)
- Audition Day 2: Sunday, May 3rd - 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm in Cook Hall 212 (returning member auditions only)
- You can audition for more than one instrument.
- Auditions are for Snare, Tenor, Bass - Cymbals do not need to audition. Cymbal players will complete a pre-screening video closer to the summer.
- New AND Returning member will re-audition for the line each season.
Students should bring with them: Audition music, sticks, ear protection, drum pad, $ for lunch, and water
Auditions are closed - meaning drumline participants only may be in attendance.
If you are unable to attend in-person auditions, please be in touch with Hannah Fedorchak as soon as possible so we can make alternative arrangements. It is preferred to audition in-person, however a video audition will be offered in certain circumstances.
Any questions, please contact the Drum Line Instructor, Hannah Fedorchak.
DRUM LINE SUMMER CAMPS
June 5th - June 7th at Illinois State University. There will be a Housing option through Illinois State University for this camp.
August 6th - August 8th at Illinois State University. There will be a Housing option through Illinois State University for this camp, since this camp runs into the full Big Red Marching Machine Summer Band Camp.
More details for these camps will be released in spring/summer 2026.
Housing for the June and August camp will be located in a residence hall at Illinois State University. This will likely not be your permanent assigned room for the fall semester. Since it is a camp, it should be treated more like a temporary hotel stay. On-campus camp housing sign-up, cost and details will be available later this spring. Students may seek alternative housing; both options are at the student's expense.
The housing and dining rates are listed below - rates are set to increase this summer, so this in an estimate.
Housing Rates
- Multiple Occupancy - $40 per night
- This is the package where no linens are provided - students would need to bring bedding and towels.
Dining Hall Rates
- Breakfast - $10
- Lunch - $15
- Dinner - $15
- If you are purchasing the Dining Plan, it is for ALL meals during the camp.
If you are unable to attend one of the camps, please be in touch with Hannah Fedorchak as soon as possible. Camp attendance is expected for auxiliary members.
COLOR GUARD AUDITIONS
- The Registration form below is due April 10th, 2026
- Video submissions are due on April 14, 2026 by 5:00 pm - preferred format is an Unlisted YouTube video.
- In-Person Auditions are Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Location - TBA
- There will be a lunch break - please bring food or $ for food.
- Please provide a flag - email Nicole Schneyr if you have any questions or need to borrow equipment for camp.
Please use the Color Guard Audition Registration form below to submit your videos no later than April 14, 2026 by 5:00 pm.
We ask that guard participants wear form-fitted dance attire, athletic shoes, and have hair pulled off the face/neck. Students should also bring water.
Auditions are closed - meaning Guard participants only may be in attendance.
If you are unable to attend in-person auditions, please be in touch with Nicole Schneyr as soon as possible so we can make alternative arrangements.
Any questions, please contact Nicole Schneyr
COLOR GUARD SUMMER CAMPS
June 5th - June 7th There will be a Housing option through Illinois State University for this camp.
August 6th - August 8th at Illinois State University. There will be a Housing option through Illinois State University for this camp, since this camp runs into the full Big Red Marching Machine Summer Band Camp.
More details for these camps will be released in spring/summer 2026.
Housing for the June and August camp will be located in a residence hall at Illinois State University. This will likely not be your permanent assigned room for the fall semester. Since it is a camp, it should be treated more like a temporary hotel stay. On-campus camp housing sign-up, cost and details will be available later this spring. Students may seek alternative housing; both options are at the student's expense.
The housing and dining rates are listed below - rates are set to increase this summer, so this in an estimate.
Housing Rates
- Multiple Occupancy - $40 per night
- This is the package where no linens are provided - students would need to bring bedding and towels.
Dining Hall Rates
- Breakfast - $10
- Lunch - $15
- Dinner - $15
- If you are purchasing the Dining Plan, it is for ALL meals during the camp.
If you are unable to attend one of the camps, please be in touch with Nicole Schneyr as soon as possible. Camp attendance is expected for auxiliary members.
REDLINE EXPRESS DANCE TEAM AUDITIONS
PLEASE FIND US ON FACEBOOK REDLINE EXPRESS DANCE TEAM
Auditions will take place on Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm in the at Illinois State University. Location TBA. There will be a lunch break, but students should bring their own lunch or money for food.
Please complete the registration form below before April 10th, 2026 so we can plan accordingly.
We ask that dancers wear form-fitted dance attire with hair pulled off the face/neck. Students should also provide their own jazz shoes, poms (if you have them), and WATER.
Auditions are closed - meaning dancers only may be in attendance.
Any questions, please contact Jessica Riss-Waltrip.
More details can be found on the Redline Linktree.
REDLINE EXPRESS SUMMER CAMPS
June 5th - June 7th at Illinois State University. There will be a Housing option through Illinois State University for this camp.
August 6th - August 8th at Illinois State University. There will be a Housing option through Illinois State University for this camp, since this camp runs into the full Big Red Marching Machine Summer Band Camp.
More details for these camps will be released in spring/summer 2026.
Housing for the August camp will be located in a residence hall at Illinois State University. This will likely not be your permanent assigned room for the fall semester. Since it is a camp, it should be treated more like a temporary hotel stay. On-campus camp housing sign-up, cost and details will be available later this spring. Students may seek alternative housing; both options are at the student's expense.
The housing and dining rates are listed below - rates are set to increase this summer, so this in an estimate.
Housing Rates
- Multiple Occupancy - $40 per night
- This is the package where no linens are provided - students would need to bring bedding and towels.
Dining Hall Rates
- Breakfast - $10
- Lunch - $15
- Dinner - $15
- If you are purchasing the Dining Plan, it is for ALL meals during the camp.
If you are unable to attend one of the camps, please be in touch with Jessica Riss-Waltrip as soon as possible. Camp attendance is expected for auxiliary members.
TWIRLER
- The Registration Form below and Video Submissions are due Saturday, March 14, 2026 by 5:00 pm. You will be asked to submit Unlisted YouTube video of different field and competition routines and a Twirler Resume in your Registration Form. A minimum of 2 videos for each is preferable.
- Live auditions - Following review of video submissions, invitations will be made for in-person auditions to be held on Saturday, April 11th, 2026. 8:30 am - Check in and warm-up. Auditions held from 9 am to 12pm.
- The Big Red Marching Machine accepts a maximum of 3 twirlers per season.
Any questions, please contact Amanda Heyden
Twirler Summer Camp
August 6th - August 8th at Illinois State University. There will be a Housing option through Illinois State University for this camp, since this camp runs into the full Big Red Marching Machine Summer Band Camp. More details for this camp will be released in Spring/Summer 2026.
Housing for the August camp will be located in a residence hall at Illinois State University. This will likely not be your permanent assigned room for the fall semester. Since it is a camp, it should be treated more like a temporary hotel stay. On-campus camp housing sign-up, cost and details will be available later this spring. Students may seek alternative housing; both options are at the student's expense.
Housing Rates
- Multiple Occupancy - $40
- This is the package where no linens are provided - students would need to bring bedding and towels.
Dining Hall Rates
- Breakfast - $10
- Lunch - $15
- Dinner - $15
- If you are purchasing the Dining Plan, it is for ALL Meals during the camp.