<p>UVA has a website for a marching band, but the Wikipedia article on scramble bands (irreverent parodies of marching bands that run around and crash into one another in satirical performances) claims that seven Ivies (all but Cornell), Stanford, Rice, UVA, and W&M are the universities that scramble instead of march. Unlike marching bands, scramble bands are generally not very serious musically, and are often a source of embarrassment to the university. So where in the scramble vs. marching dichotomy does the UVA band fall? If it is, in fact, a marching band, is it a fairly good one?</p>
<p>UVa's band is a marching band. I guess it's alright. There used to be a scramble band (and there still sort of is), but the administration replaced it about four or five years ago.</p>
<p>It used to be a pep band. I think they wound up getting in trouble for being offensive. Eventually the athletic department replaced them with a marching band.</p>
<p>The current incarnation of the marching band was founded in 2004 after the pep band's antics at a West Virginia game got us some bad publicity (governors were involved, from what I've heard). The pep band supposedly still exists unofficially, but I imagine they are fading out because few students here remember the time before the marching band was in place. </p>
<p>I think the marching band is great, though I'm no expert and don't know how one judges bands. There are some very good videos on Facebook of the band's post-game performances. Try to find the ones of them playing Carlos Santana's Smooth and Walk This Way>Dream On>Walk This Way. I was impressed by those.</p>
<p>Great - top universities with marching bands are a rarity. But then, top universities with major football programs aren't that numerous, so I guess there's a strong correlation between the football program and the band program.</p>
<p>The pep band is pretty funny. I could totally see them running into eachother to mock the marching bad. On game day they go around to all of the tailgates and play well known songs.</p>
<p>In the spirit of full disclosure, I should mention that my son is a member of the aforementioned Cavalier Marching Band.</p>
<p>Having said that, the CMB has come a long way in only five years. IMHO it really adds to the loud, partisan home team atmosphere during UVa's football games at Scott Stadium.</p>
<p>Many years ago my roommate at the University was in the UVa Pep Band. That fun loving group was known more for their irreverent antics than the quality of their music.</p>
<p>Oh man if I get into UVA and if I can do marching band, it would be a dream come true. Does anyone know how long it lasts and how much it costs?</p>
<p>My son is a fourth year and was in the CMB (Cavalier Marching Band) for his first through third year so I can give you some general information. Band camp starts the about 10 days before classes start in the fall. Drumline may start a few days earlier I not sure about that though. The members stay in a hotel during that time with lodging and food provided at no cost. In fact there was never a cost to the student for any event the band attended. Be prepared to give a lot of time to the band in the fall. During my son's tenure in the CMB they went to 2 Bowl Games, all expenses paid. He also played in the Basketball band and in 2007 they went to the ACC and well as NCAA tournament. Again no cost to the member. It was a lot of fun and sometimes grueling, but he has made lasting friendships and I'm sure would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed band in high school.</p>
<p>As Paris said, the CMB is a great way for a first year student to immediately plug into a network of friends at the University.</p>
<p>The CMB rehearses from 6 to 8:25 pm on Tuesday and Thursday every week during the fall. During weeks where there is a home football game on Saturday, they also practice on Friday evening from 6 to 8:25 pm.</p>
<p>On game day, they assemble about four hours before kickoff for a final practice and to get going with their pregame routine. Parents are welcome to attend any practice, and many do attend the Saturday pregame drills.</p>
<p>Parents who purchase season football tickets are placed in a lower level section of the stadium where the seats afford a good view of the band during the game.</p>
<p>The annual cost for CMB members is $30 to $35 (I think this is for gloves and shoes but I'm not sure). There is no other out of pocket expense for kids who participate in the CMB.</p>
<p>CMB members do NOT provide their own instruments; these are provided for them to use for as long as they continue their participation in the Marching and Basketball Bands. To be a part of the Basketball Band, you must have participated in the CMB.</p>
<p>When the Bands travel, members receive a per diem to cover their meal expenses. Hotel and other travel costs are covered by the University.</p>
<p>If you are applying to UVa and would like to learn more about the CMB, you should contact the Band Director, Mr. William Pease. His email is <a href="mailto:pease@virginia.edu">pease@virginia.edu</a>, and the telephone number for the Band Office is (434) 982-5347.</p>
<p>Click on this link to learn more about the CMB:
Cavalier</a> Marching Band</p>
<p>I suggest that you arrange to meet with some of the Band members when you visit UVa. The Band Office can facilitate this meeting. My son and one of his friends did this on one of our visits, and it was most informative. You learn more about the band, and you can also ask any other questions you might have about the University.</p>
<p>Marching Band is a 2 credit hour class, and Basketball Band is a 1 credit hour class. You receive a letter grade for your participation in these bands. Up to a total of 8 hours of credit for Marching and Basketball Band count toward the 120 hours needed to graduate from the University. All credit hours taken/earned figure in the computation of your UVa GPA.</p>
<p>The Pep Band is all but dead. The Cavalier Marching Band is, however, strong and supported by the students, faculty, alumni and fans. The CMB's presence certainly adds to the game day environment and is on par or better than all other ACC bands after just 5 years... UVa students know how to get sh1t done.</p>
<p>what really did the uva scramble band in was the $1 million (plus some) donation that was given for the sole purpose of forming a marching band.</p>
<p>so... UVA has a marching band. They used to have a scramble band, but, as Dean J posted, they got in trouble with WVU (and the WV Governor)</p>
<p>Here's a good article on the CMB.
Cavalier</a> Daily</p>