<p>My daughter is considering auditioning for marching band next year (will be freshman). Don't know if she'll make it in, but if she does...</p>
<p>How big is the time commitment? We've read that they have practices every night. Are they required to be at every practice? Do the daily practices continue even after football season? Do they usually have separate sectionals in addition to the practices? A lot of questions, I know. Sorry.</p>
<p>The highlight of my daughter's high school experience was marching band, so it appeals to her in college. But the time commitment in high school was staggering, and I'd assume it would be just as bad in college. She'll be in bioengineering, which I think might be especially time consuming/difficult to keep up with. She can do whatever she wants, of course, but I wonder what it will be like.</p>
<p>Any thoughts or recommendations?</p>
<p>Hi there. Welcome to CC!</p>
<p>Personally, I am not in MI (Marching Illini) but my brother was in it for two years so I'll try my best to answer your questions as accurately as I can on behalf of him.</p>
<p>Membership is based on music auditions and spots available in each section. I believe MI members arrive a week before school starts for their band camp. Your daughter will be familiar with the campus when classes starts and will beat the rush that move in days are known for. Game days are the busiest for MI members: members are on the field as early as 6 or 7AM for morning practice, again it depends on the time of the game, and have a post performance after the game. Practices for MI are held, I think, two to three times a week - those are mandatory since the band has a different show every home game. The MI schedule depends on how well the football team performs; if the team goes to a bowl game then the band goes also. MI does have practices for their annual "Sights and Sounds" Performance which is usually held for the members families. My brother, a Finance major, said that MI was very time consuming and tiring. MI consumed his life every first semester but doesn't regret the friends and memories he accumulated. Being a member of a college marching band is a very unique experience - she'll won't regret it if she decides to join.</p>
<p>Mind you, most people who do join/are accpeted in MI were 'hardcore' band members while in high school. So if your daughter fits that bill then she wouldn't have a problem. I would think marching band in any university is time consuming, I was in one, so time management is key. Members in MI come from all different majors - you'll get music majors, business majors, engineering majors, etc. Your daughter will be auditioning for a very traditional and renown college marching band - so be proud of that.</p>
<p>If she doesn't get into MI or if time commitment is a problem Illinois has concert ensembles that hold auditions every semester - a concert band might fit her schedule better (if she does audition for one of higher ensembles, practicing is key - she'll be competing against very talented music majors and musicians from other fields.)</p>