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Photo (top) by Jayme Halbritter

Home > Ensembles / Competitions > Ensembles : Marching Band

Marching Band

One of the most exciting and highly visible organizations on campus, the Minnesota Marching Band provides enthusiastic support to the University’s athletic programs and represents the University with pride at home and away.

The band performs at all Gopher home football games and at the annual Indoor Concert. The band also performs an off-campus concert or special event each year.

Membership

Membership in the Marching Band/Athletic Bands is open to all students. Marching Band must be taken for credit. Students register for the class along with their other academic classes. In addition, students must call the Ensemble Office at 612/624-6873 to receive materials necessary for Spat Camp. Please report all contact information by June 15.

Interested students are invited to join. Music majors are encouraged to join; however, most Marching Band members major in other disciplines.

Auditions held during Spat Camp determine the performance block. Alternates have the opportunity to challenge into the block and or audition for Athletic bands. The band program can provide rental instruments for all sections.

Time Commitment

The Marching Band season officially begins with Spat Camp (see below). When fall semester classes begin, the band meets Monday through Thursday from 4:15 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additional rehearsals are held on Friday nights and Saturday mornings before all home football games. The rehearsals avoid conflicts with most classes and allow residence hall students ample time to attend evening meals.

Spat Camp

Spat Camp is the intensive, in-residence preparation camp where students learn music and marching fundamentals. Please write or call the Ensemble Office at 612/624-6873 for information and registration materials by June 15. Send e-mail inquiries to ubands@umn.edu.

Athletics Band

The pep bands for men’s hockey and basketball and the women’s athletics pep band are open to any interested University student. Auditions for all pep bands are held early in the semester, and the bands rehearse once a week.

Pep band members play at home games for their respective sports. Pep bands also accompany teams to post-season tournaments.

For more information visit the Marching Band website.