<p>My dream school is Northeastern University. It's perfect in every way except for one: it has no marching band, and thus no color guard. According to NEU's website, many kids audition for BC and BU's marching bands and guards. From what little internet research I've been able to do, it seems BC's band is bigger and better, but it's difficult to tell since I'm not there to see them in person. I'm not particularly interested in DCI/Boston Crusaders; the time commitment is too much for someone who lives out-of-state. Is anyone familiar with marching bands in the Boston area? I'm definitely looking for a large and competitive band/guard, not a smaller, novice one. Thanks in advance :)</p>
<p>BC is probably bigger and does more traveling in general, but keep in mind that means more time required. Division I college bands are great fun (I was in one) but the time demands can be awfully great on non-music majors as they may only rehearse 6-10 hours per week, but add in the amount of time devoted to playing in pep events, game days and other spirit events and it can add up quick and high.</p>
<p>UMass is nearby as well and they would blow the other two completely away.</p>
<p>Yeah, I imagine that it would be particularly taxing for someone who doesn’t even live on campus. I’m sure I can work out a schedule with the band directors; as an auxiliary member, not an instrumentalist, I bet I’d have fewer events, just going by my own high school experience. I will definitely check out UMass and their policies about students from other schools. Thank you so much, I’m pleasantly surprised that someone could offer me some advice :D</p>
<p>First of all, what part of the country are you from? If your idea of marching bands is based off of bands in the Big Ten or SEC then none of the Boston schools have big time programs. BC far and away has the biggest college marching band in the area. I was not aware that they allowed students from other schools to audition. </p>
<p>Please note, UMass main campus, (Amherst), is not nearby to Boston. Umass-Boston is a satellite campus and to my knowledge has no marching band or sports teams. Regardless, unless things have changed drastically, BC’s band is a more ‘big time’ program than Umass’.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m from Alabama, so I’m very used to the SEC big band feel! It’s no Alabama or Auburn, but I’m not too bummed about BC’s band being smaller scale as long as it’s the best I can do. NEU seems to be a perfect fit in every other way, so I’ll be grateful for whatever I can get. I’m not really into the football scene, I just don’t want to give up guard!</p>