Athletic Pep Band

Pep Band 2023

The Pep Band performs at approximately 75 regular season events between September and early March (roughly 30 each semester, plus intersession games that are not required but are paid volunteer opportunities). In addition, the band performs at several postseason events as the teams progress through conference and NCAA tournaments. Attendance at all pep band rehearsals is required.

Questions?

Contact [email protected] with any questions about participating in the University of Minnesota Pep Band.

All Pep Band members will perform at a variety of Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, and Men’s and Women’s Hockey events throughout the year. The typical week's schedule includes one Tuesday evening rehearsal and one athletic game, sometimes two games. The director assigns games at the start of the semester, and students are expected to find subs when they have a schedule conflict and attend a different game to make up the time.

Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:15 PM (Spring 2026: 6:00 to 7:15 PM) in the Marching Band facility at Huntington Bank Stadium. Enter via the Pope County sign marker on the north side of the stadium near Gate B.

Auditions

All members of the Gopher Groove Pep Band (prospective and returning) will play an audition. Audition procedures are provided below by section. Prepare music found under the Audition Music section below. 

If you are in need of an instrument to practice for your audition, reach out to [email protected] with your request. 

Woodwind, Brass, and Bass Guitar

The audition consists of:

  1. Chromatic scale ascending and descending that showcases your playable range, tempo at 104. (Woodwind and Brass only) 
  2. Your favorite major scale, 2 octaves ascending and descending, tempo at 104.
  3. A part (1st, 2nd, or 3rd – you select) from "The Minnesota Rouser", tempo at 132.
  4. A part (1st, 2nd, or 3rd – you select) from "Minnesota March" (Note: Mellophone players audition on "Go Gopher Victory" instead of “Minnesota March”), tempo at 120 for both songs.
  5. OPTIONAL: In-person auditionees can elect to perform a short sightreading etude for scholarship consideration

Members interested in auditioning on woodwind, brass, or bass guitar have two options for submitting their auditions starting Fall 2026. 

1. In-Person Audition

  1. WOODWIND & BRASS: These auditions occur during the first week of the semester with daily afternoon and evening time slots available at either Huntington Bank Stadium or Ferguson Hall. 
  2. BASS GUITAR: These auditions are held on Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9 from 8:00pm-8:30pm at Huntington Bank Stadium
  3. In-person auditionees have the opportunity to play an optional short sightreading etude for scholarship consideration. Scholarships are limited but all are encouraged to complete the requirements to be considered. Scholarships recipients will be notified by the second week of the semester
  4. Sign up times for in-person auditions become available the week before the start of the semester. Fill out this form to declare your intention to audition in-person and ensure you receive sign up information

NOTE: Students participating in the Marching Band will have the option to perform their in-person Pep Band audition during UMMB Spat Camp.

2. Video Submission

  1. This option allows for more flexibility for auditionees! 
  2. Video submissions are due by Friday, September 4, 2026 for the Fall 2026 Gopher Groove Pep Band 
  3. One bit of advice: don't point directly at your microphone. This distorts the sound on your recording unless you have a good external microphone.
  4. Videos should be posted on a personal YouTube site, then the link should be shared here. Please be sure to follow the YouTube directions below.

Submitting the Video

  1. Create a YouTube account (if you have gmail, you automatically have one)
  2. Click the Upload button in the top right corner.
  3. It will take you to the Upload page.

    A little box will appear with the word Public. Click on the little triangle and click Unlisted (this way only people with the link will be able to see your video).
  4. Either drag the video, or select the file of your video to upload.
  5. Make sure to title your video “Your name, Instrument Audition”
  6. Copy and paste the link to your YouTube video (it will give you the link once your video is uploaded) to this form. 

If you have any questions about submitting the video, send an email to [email protected]

Video submission audition decisions will be sent by Sunday, September 6 for the Fall 2026 Gopher Groove Pep Band.

Drumline and Drum Set

Auditions for drumline and drum set will be held on Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9 from 8:00pm-8:30pm at Huntington Bank Stadium. Auditionees will be grouped into small groups to perform the audition materials and see how they fit together as a section. 

The audition consists of:

  1. Your part from "The Minnesota Rouser", tempo at 132.
  2. Your part from “Ski-U-Mah” cadence, tempo at 120. 
  3. Drum set only: Performing grooves in a variety of styles (Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop, etc) to showcase ability across genres
  4. OPTIONAL: Auditionees can elect to perform a short sightreading etude for scholarship consideration

Sign up times for in-person auditions become available the week before the start of the semester. Fill out this form to declare your intention to audition and ensure you receive sign up information

If you are unable to join us, but are interested in being on the Drumline or Drum Set for the Gopher Groove Pep Band, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible to make alternative audition plans. 

Audition Music