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BYU Bands | College of Fine Arts & Communications School of Music |
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This list contains several questions relating to the BYU Marching Band and Pep Bands, due to the amount of questions we receive in that regard, but you will also find some common questions about Concert Bands at the link above. Please check through this list before contacting the band office to see if your question is answered here.
The Cougar Marching Band is comprised of students who have been members of championship high school bands as well as students whose high school didn't even have a Marching Band. This diversity of backgrounds makes it difficult to compare college with high school. However, one of the greatest differences is that there is much less rehearsal time available. We perform a standard pregame show and 2-4 different halftime shows each season, and play lots of stand tunes. Also, the college band has to find a happy medium between being a fun and spirited organization while still achieving a quality of performance representative of the image of our great University at home and away.
The band size is set at 225 performing members. There are also members designated as alternates to enable us to cover spots left by illnesses or emergencies. The 225 generally includes 160 Woodwinds and Brass, 25-30 Percussionists, and 25-30 Color Guard members (female only).
Marching Band is a class (MUS 323-R), and therefore requires enrollment during Fall semester (Sep-Dec). Rehearsals are held each Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, with the color guard members arriving at 3:00 to learn new routines prior to rehearsal with the band. The drumline also holds an additional section rehearsal from 3:00 to 4:00 pm on Friday. The full band rehearsal time is used to prepare for performance at (usually) six home games, a homecoming parade, and a performance at our high school Marching Band competition. There is also a pre-season band camp and often a trip to a bowl game. Even though we could often use more than the 6 hours per week rehearsal time, a high priority of our program is to not interfere with the academic demands of our students. Therefore we accomplish all group rehearsal within the time that is scheduled.
Because the first performance of the Marching Band usually takes place during the first week of school, we have found it necessary to begin one week prior to the start of school in the Fall. During this week members learn BYU Marching Band basics, our pregame show and our first halftime show. Obviously, rehearsals are intense during those days and new students are not able to attend conflicting Freshman orientation activities. Students are excused, however, to attend mandatory department and honors orientation meetings.
There are annual band dues of $50.00 which help to cover the cost of incidental band expenses, such as dry cleaning. In addition to this amount, white gloves (for wind players, $3.00), navy blue wristbands (for drummers, $3.50) and white oxford shoes (for all instrumentalists, about $30.00) are required. They may be purchased at Band Camp if you don't have them, and approved for use if you do. Bowl game expenses (including meals) are covered entirely by the bowl invitation. Any trips to away games cover transportation and lodging, leaving the students with only the minimal cost of meals.
All individuals who are selected for membership in the band will receive talent/service awards beginning at $400. Increasing scholarship amounts are determined by instrumentation needs, prior membership, and leadership responsibilities.
Band performances at games usually include 6 home games (generally Saturday afternoon/evening) and every other year a game at the University of Utah, in Salt Lake City. This short in-state trip is less than an hour away and is easily accomplished on the day of the game. We occasionally take one additional trip if there is an away game that is close enough for bus travel and our budget and schedule allow for it. These trips will not take you away from school more than two or three days of classes per year. In order to give the band and university good exposure, these trips typically include activities such as a performance at a high school festival or Disneyland, as well as the game itself.
With the rise of BYU football to national prominence, the Cougar Band has accompanied the football team to a bowl game 20 of the last 26 years. These games have provided the band with performance opportunities in Florida, Alabama, Arizona, California, Tennessee, Michigan, and Nevada. During the holidays are about four days of activities that integrally involve the band with the bowl festivities. All band members are required to attend. Because most bowl games take place during the holiday season, arrangements include air travel to the game for those who are at home.
Currently, only about 20 percent of the band are music majors. We have students from virtually every major on campus. Students in most majors enjoy being a part of the band because they still want to perform on their instrument and have an "outlet" from their other college studies. Of course, the music majors are also an important part of the organization and many of them see this experience as a way to prepare for future careers in music.
Many band members (even non-majors) do participate in both marching and concert bands simultaneously. Also, since the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band are offered both semesters, there is the possibility of joining a concert band during the Winter Semester. Instrumentalists are encouraged to continue performing year-round and the non-auditioned University Band provides the opportunity for many as it is offered as an evening class.
The Cougar Marching Band is an audition group, and the process is explained on the Auditions Page. Good luck, and we hope to include you in our ranks!
Both Pep Bands have the following instrumentation: 2 Alto Saxophones, 2 Tenor Saxophones, 1 Bari Saxophone, 4 F Horns (marching instruments), 9 Trumpets, 6 Trombones, 2 Baritones (marching instruments), 2 Sousaphones, 1 Electric Bass (amp provided by the band), and 1 Drum Kit.
Pep Band is a class (MUS 324-R), and therefore requires enrollment during Winter semester (Jan-Apr). Rehearsals are scheduled during winter semester as part of the Pep Band class, but, generally are held to a minimum due to performance requirements. Attendance is mandatory at ALL home basketball games (usually 10-12 games between November and March), 1-3 pre-game functions, and an occasional out of town game. Unlike Marching Band, performance music is not memorized. The Pep Band does not perform for basketball games when school is not in session.
No. Many students who have not participated in Marching Band have been members of the Pep Band.
Pep Band members must also participate in a concert band ensemble during Winter semester (January-April). Auditioning for Wind Symphony or Symphonic Band is STRONGLY encouraged; participation in University Band also satisfies this requirement. Jazz Band or small performance ensembles do not qualify as the ensemble participation requisite for Pep Band. Participation in an ensemble during Fall semester is not mandatory.
No. The majority of Pep Band members are non-music majors, but are very proficient on their instruments.
The two Pep Bands combine into one 30-piece ensemble that performs at the Mountain West Conference Championships. If BYU men's and/or women's teams qualify to attend a post season tournament (NCAA or NIT), a Pep Band performs at each tournament venue.
Yes, all Pep Band participants receive scholarship compensation. If a Pep Band member cannot perform at a game, they must find a replacement to fill in for them, and that person will receive the compensation for that event.
The uniform for Pep Band is a polo-type shirt (available for purchase after acceptance in the band) and khaki-colored pants.
The Pep Bands are audition groups, and the process is explained on the Auditions Page. Good luck, and we hope to include you in our ranks!
