<p>Son considering auditioning for marching band/pep band. Any experience or advice welcomed!! Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>[Michigan</a> Marching Band](<a href=“http://mmb.music.umich.edu/]Michigan”>http://mmb.music.umich.edu/)</p>
<p>Mom911: Do you have experience of s or d in Michigan Band or were you just voting for one or the other?</p>
<p>What the School of Music tells musicians about the marching band:
Major time eater! Ergo, most SOM kids don’t do it, but most of them have 17 or 18 credit loads and have to participate in other ensembles, which would cause rehearsal conflicts.</p>
<p>Would likely be an awesome experience for a non major, but it is known to be intense. Fair warning. If your son is good at juggling commitments and managing time, and is in strong physical and musical condition, then go for it!</p>
<p>If he wants a lesser commitment but wants to keep his chops up (what instrument, btw?), try the 1-credit-hour campus or university bands, which rehearse 8 - 10 p.m. on Wed. The caliber is very strong even though it is an open program (with auditioned principals). If you’re going to welcome weekend April 10-11 by any chance, they’re playing the hill auditorium at 3 p.m. on Sunday so you can check it out.</p>
<p>Thanks kmccrindle: S plays trumpet and has participated all 4 years in HS marching, jazz and concert bands. He will be an engineering major and just thought it would very cool and a fun way to meet folks at such a large U.</p>
<p>There are many engineering majors in MMB. D loves it and has many good friends in MMB. True it is a big fall time commitment with the practices every day in the afternoon plus game day. But I think engineering oriented students can easily manage their time and commitments. D found that she was able to get to practice in time after class even with classes on North campus. Her first semester she took a lighter credit load given the uncertainty with the class requirements, band and adjusting to college. She has enjoyed every minute of it --hoping there is a bowl trip in her future</p>
<p>my engr101 GSI was the last drum major, and i believe the current drum major is also an engineering major…</p>
<p>Sounds like a good fit, LF. Also, if he decides to forego marching band, there are a tonne of pit orchestra (eg Muskat), small jazz and band ensemble opportunities for non-majors who want to keep up their chops. Also depends on time management as mentioned above and whether or not he’ll be looking to rack up a lot of work-study hours to self-fund ;)</p>
<p>D’s friend has been in marching band all 3 years so far … he loves it! He is a very good student, and he has handled academics & marching band well. He has made lots of great friends through marching band. Based on his experience, I would recommend it.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your input…I hope he really decides to audition. He will be working on that self funding this summer…km :)</p>
<p>“my engr101 GSI was the last drum major, and i believe the current drum major is also an engineering major…”</p>
<p>cody martin?</p>
<p>^ yep!</p>
<p>(10char)</p>
<p>littlefalls: DS is a proud member of the MMB. You can find everything you want to know about MMB on the website, including audition information and expectations. </p>
<p>Check the calendar back to August 2009, you would see that band camp started about 2 weeks before classes began. You would be happy to move your son in before the official move-in day. Although band members are together during practice, different sections would have some additional practices.</p>
<p>Join the email list, so a few days before the game, you would get an email with the MMB game day schedule on it.</p>
<p>Everyone can go see the Saturday morning game day rehearsal at Elbel Field, be early, as the bleachers are packed quickly. After the practice, the band members would have their tailgate right at there. By sections, the parents set up the tents, tables and chairs with the yummy food to feed them. They then go to Revelli Hall and get ready for the march. Of course, a lot of people are faithfully waiting in front of Revelli for the Drumline show. Amazing performance! Follow that, the members are out for the line up, inspection and off they march to the Big House!</p>
<p>On home coming game, the Alumni Band would join the game day rehearsal and march with the MMB to the Big House. They would then perform on the front steps of the stadium for the audiences before they go inside. </p>
<p>After the marching band, there are options to join the athletic bands, campus and university bands. The info and rehearse schedules are on the website too.</p>
<p>I am so looking forward to the Band-O-Rama concert in October and Crisler concert in December every year. Look up MMB on Youtube, there are clips of the pregame and half-time shows, and the Drumline performances.</p>
<p>DS enjoys the MMB experience very much. I am so, so proud of him and admire his dedication and devotion to the Michigan Marching Band.</p>
<p>^^^^Spoken like a proud, loving mom. I thoroughly enjoyed your message</p>
<p>Aww :]
Shoot me for bumping such an old thread, but just wanted to say thanks, mom!</p>