Join Marching Band

Tradition is an important part of Big Ten universities. The Pride of Minnesota has been bringing spirit, color, and music to campus for over 125 years. We would love for you to become a part of the band's life and experience the pageantry, excitement, and dedication to excellence for yourself.

Never marched before? We'll teach you!

Not a music major? Neither are 95% of our members.

Worried about the time commitment? With nearly every major represented in our current band, let us know your area of interest. We will have a student contact you and let you know how it works with your upcoming course of study.

Prospective Members

Prospective members are invited to contact us for more information about the program. Members of the band staff, including the directors, graduate assistants, and current members will be happy to answer your questions. If you would like to learn more about joining the Minnesota Marching Band in 2026 and beyond, please complete the Marching Band Interest form.

High school students who wish to join the Minnesota Marching Band through post-secondary option (PSEO) programs should contact: More information about PSEO.

216 Pillsbury Drive SE, Room 20
Minneapolis, MN 55455

612-626-1666
Phone support: Monday−Thursday 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (except University holidays)
[email protected]

Not a U of M student?

You do not have to be a U of M student to participate. Part-time college students attending other metro-area schools can take Marching Band as an extension course. Upon successful audition, visit this website and follow the instructions.

Time Commitment

The Marching Band season officially begins with Spat Camp, the ten-day training period that begins late August and ends on Labor Day weekend. When fall semester classes begin, the band meets Monday through Friday from 4:15 – 6:00 pm. Additional rehearsals are held 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, the intensive, in-residence preparation camp where students learn music and marching fundamentals, marks the official start of marching band season. Students reside in the residence halls during Spat Camp. A nominal fee covers the cost of housing, meals, and social activities during camp.

Please email us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Freshman Orientation

New students must attend University orientation before Spat Camp begins. Students who are assigned orientation dates during the Spat Camp period should contact their college representative and ask to have their orientation rescheduled. 

Registration 

Students accepted into the Marching Band will be notified when they can register for MUS 3480, which carries two academic credits. Note – Class registration priority is given to degree-seeking undergraduate students, with consideration given to other potential members once these spots are filled

AUDITIONS

Brass/Woodwind — 

We have two rounds of new-member woodwind & brass auditions for the Pride of Minnesota. 

1. Early decision: audition videos due March 1.
   1. By mid March, all auditionees will receive placement on either the band roster or the waitlist. If placed on the roster, you must notify the band of your acceptance by May 1. If placed on the waitlist, your audition will be reevaluated with the second round of auditions mid June and you will be notified of admittance late June - early July.
   2. Some scholarships will be awarded based on the early decision auditions. These scholarship offers will be made by mid March.
2. Regular auditions: audition videos due mid June.
   1. We plan to release our roster late June - early July.
   2. Some scholarships may be awarded at this time, however students are highly encouraged to complete the early round audition for the greatest scholarship potential. 

The audition consists of:

1. Chromatic scale ascending and descending that showcases your playable range, tempo at 104.
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. A personal statement answering the following questions: “Why do you want to be a member of the Pride of Minnesota? How have your past experiences prepared you to be part of the band?” The personal statement can be written (max one page) or video-recorded (max two minutes).
6. Optional: you may also include another selection that helps display your talents (i.e. a prepared piece from solo and ensemble contests)

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.

Videos should be posted on a personal YouTube site, then the link should be shared here, along with your personal statements. 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. (Link will be added when auditions open up next year.)

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

Audition Music

Piccolo/Flute

Clarinet 1

Clarinet 2

Alto Sax 1

Alto Sax 2

Tenor Sax

Trumpet 1

Trumpet 2

Trumpet 3

Mellophone

Trombone 1

Trombone 2

Trombone 3

Baritone BC

Baritone TC

Tuba

Drumline

Fall 2026 Drumline Auditions will be in the Marching Band facility at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday April 25 at 9 AM. There is also an optional rehearsal in the same location on Friday April 24 from 7 PM to 9 PM.

Additional information and audition music can be found at http://drumline.umn.edu/auditions

Color Guard

Auditions are in two parts. 

The first part is a video submission which is due with your Spat Camp application information mid June. The preferred method to audition is to submit a video, which is due June 12. Please email a link of your YouTube video to [email protected]. 

For incoming students, some scholarships are available that require videos to be submitted by March 1st for early decision.

• Those scholarship offers would be made by the end of March.
• The overall deadline for video submission for placement in the group is still June 12th.

Following a video audition one of 2 things will happen:

1. You are accepted into the group – Yeah! And go straight to the Learning portion of the guard camp in August. 

2. We need to see more so we will invite you to the in person auditions taking place on day 1 of the August camp. If you are unable to submit a video for any reason, or do not feel you have the skills needed to make a video yet (we have had plenty of members that had never done guard before joining our group!), then you will be required to do in person auditions on day 1 of our August camp.

If there are any questions, please email [email protected]

Please visit the audition page to view the audition requirements and additional ways to prepare for the audition process. https://ummbcolorguard.wordpress.com/audition-info/

Feature Twirler

There will be no auditions for the upcoming academic year. The next anticipated opportunity to audition will be for Fall 2027. Please check back for updates as additional information becomes available.

Marching Band Contact

420 23rd Ave SE
Huntington Bank Stadium–BAND
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Email the Marching Band

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