College Marching Bands

<p>What is marching band in college like? What type of music is played? What is the schedule like, etc. Also, do you know if schools offer scholarships to be in marching band. I love being in my high school marching band, but I am not sure if I would like college band since I imagine it to be different than what i'm used to. any input would be appreciated</p>

<p>our Marching Band (USC) seems to do a lot of really kool stuff:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usc.edu/dept/band/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usc.edu/dept/band/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Wisconsin is without a doubt number 1. Fifth Quarter is def. something worth seeing...</p>

<p><a href="http://www.badgerband.com/history_and_traditions/fifth_quarter.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.badgerband.com/history_and_traditions/fifth_quarter.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>It depends on the college. Some colleges, like umass has one show that they perform all year, they do the football games and do exhibitions at compititions. UPitt on the other hand changes there show almost every week and does every home football game, along with one away game and whatever bowl the team makes it to that year. I was afraid that I wouldn't like the switch from high school marching band to college but it's still a lot of fun, it's just different. It also gives you an awesome way to get to know a bunch of different people when you first get to school which can make the transition easier. Pitt practices 3-4 days a week for 2 hours at night. It may seem like a lot but it's a nice break from class and homework. I'd advise trying it and then dropping it if you don't like it.</p>

<p>It does depend a lot upon the college. For example, Stanford has something they call a "marching band," but it does NOT march and is unique in many other ways. They play mainly pop music, dress rather randomly, and have some wild times, from what I have heard. They also allow alumni to play in the band--I have a friend who graduated in the '70's who played in it this past year. He had a great time.</p>

<p>Most other marching bands are much more formal and disciplined, I think, and perhaps play different types of music.</p>

<p>All of the ivy league colleges except cornell have scatter bands, which do not actually march.</p>

<p>Quit your lying we all know HBCU's have the best bands.</p>

<p>college marching bands practice 3-4 days a week for at least an hour, probably no more than 3.</p>

<p>They will play a lot of music, from the classics (ie: hey song) to possibly somethings you'll hear on the radio.</p>

<p>Some have one show all year, some have 3-4 shows. The likely travel to 1 away game, and a bowl game if the school makes it.</p>

<p>My sax teacher told me when he was in school and his school went to the National Championship, they got a whole week there, for free. Top of the line hotel (swim up bar), etc etc.</p>

<p>HBCU's have show bands and they are quite different. They are awesome, if you hear one that sounds good. They dance like crazy. I saw a high school show band at state football playoffs, and they danced like there's no tomorrow, but they sounded like crap.</p>

<p>my school doesn't have a marching band. Thought about choosing another school for that reason, but decided education had to be #1. I'm trying out for drum corps though o_O</p>

<p>ats, a kid from my high school is in the pitt band.</p>

<p>also, the response in college when you tell someone your in the band is usually along the lines of "that's cool" instead of what most people in high school say. =P</p>

<p>what does HBCU stand for?</p>

<p>historically black college/university</p>

<p>yay pitt band! it's so much fun. soccerguy is right about peoples reactions though, noone really looks down on you for being in any groups really at school. Everyone's just doing there own thing. I also didn't choose my college for the band. Make sure you look at education first and then think of the activities you want to do as a little extra reason to pick that school.</p>