<p>I think the drumline is quite competitive. But keep in mind that there is constant turnover due to members graduating, etc.</p>
<p>UCLA does not have a percussion pit for marching band. None of the colleges do. But they do have some very good stage ensemble bands that you could join.</p>
<p>The UCLA Band has a very loud, brassy sound. This is good for playing the school fight songs, because the sound carries throughout the Rose Bowl. Last year I counted 20 Sousaphones, the most I have ever seen in a marching band. They also have a great sounding trumpet section.</p>
<p>I'm going to be a freshman music major at UCLA this fall. </p>
<p>I know a lot of the band is non-music majors...but I'm still thinking about joining. I'm a fairly accomplished saxophonist, but I've never been in a real marching band. I think the marching would be the hard part.</p>
<p>I've received a lot of advice in both directions...some people say not to join because it's too time consuming, and I'll be too busy with work and adjusting to college, etc. Others say it's a lot of fun and a great way to meet people.</p>
<p>I'm thinking I might audition, and go to the camp if I get in...maybe. If I don't like it or don't want to keep doing it, how hard is it to quit? Is it like a class, and I'd fail it? Would it be hard to re-join in later years?</p>
<p>Any help is appreciated...there seem to be some marching band insiders here...</p>
<p>From what I hear from music majors, they don't take marching band because like you said, it's too time consuming. Practices are 2 hours, 3 times a week (plus weekend games) as opposed to say, symphonic band, which only meets once a week with only one concert per quarter. </p>
<p>Marching band is counted as a course... so you register for it just like any other class. You can drop it with no consequences before friday of 2nd week. so yeah, if you really want to give it a try, go ahead and audition and go to band camp. You'll have at least three weeks to decide whether or not you think it's right for you.</p>
<p>you don't have to join the class to be in the band. some people don't join because they have class conflicts and miss some of the practices. but it DOES give you an easy 2-unit A!</p>
<p>i'd say, go for it. because what have you got to lose? if you don't like it... and i'd caution you to hold off on that judgment until AFTER band camp and the first football game... then you CAN drop it. classes can be dropped within the first two weeks of the quarter, no penalty, no questions asked. assuming you weren't recruited by gordon himself :rolleyes:</p>
<p>they will teach you marching basics at band camp. it can be a grueling week, but stick with it, because it's not entirely representative of what the whole quarter will be like. band camp is intense, because they want to spend the shortest possible time covering the basics, while making sure they cover them well.</p>
<p>once school starts, you SHOULD have enough time between schoolwork and band. there are no weekend trips this year like there generally are. and if you stick with three classes, like any incoming freshman should, you'll be fine. you also mention work: did you mean work as in schoolwork, or as in a job? if the former, you're fine. if you're planning to get a job, i'd discourage you from that if it isn't something like work-study. balancing schoolwork, work work, and marching band could get tricky your first quarter. </p>
<p>marching band IS a great way to meet people, and if you're willing to put in the time and effort (especially to acquire marching skills) then you will get SO much out of it!! that said, if you don't like it, then at least you'll have tried. that's the only way to find out. and it shouldn't affect you rejoining later (although, unlike returning members, you'll have to reaudition).</p>
<p>so i say, give it your best shot and i hope it works out for you!</p>
<p>The woodwinds are indeed an oppressed people. If you're brass, you're welcomed with open arms... if not... good luck. I still had an amazing time in my three years in marching band and am a bit saddened that I won't be able to do it next year since I'm studying abroad. I don't agree with the alternate situation (the fact that many amazing woodwinds were alternates, whereas less-than-great brass were not), but I think a discussion with the directors about the situation would be more productive than me ranting about it on here...</p>
<p>no no, whatever you do, do not "discuss" it with the directors. Maybe with JJ it might have some effect... with Gordon, then yeah, good luck getting anything through.</p>
<p>The band practices are time consuming, and band camp can be difficult, but like everything else in college, the things that are the most challenging are often times the most rewarding. My son has griped his way through band camp for 3 years now, but in return he got in on a lot of very cool rewards, such as being down on the field at the end of the UCLA football victory over USC. He got to give high fives to a few of the football players, and wave to the television cameras which were broadcasting their performance of "Dead Dog Rover" live on national television. None of the other students got to go out onto the field to celebrate, which made it extra cool for the band members.</p>
<p>I sent an audition tape to Nathan Eby, the UCLA drumline instructor, and he accepted me into the drumline. however, i wasn't accepctd into the school. gordon henderson, the band director, said he can recommend my appeal since nathan already accepted me into the drumline, but it's not a 100% guarantee. i will find out if my appel worked like next tuesday or so .does anyone know of my chances of getting in? any information is helpful, thank you very much</p>
<p>I hear of that happening pretty often in band actually... a few students get accepted into band, but not UCLA. I think if your stats are decent enough and up to par with the rest of the students that are accepted, you should be able to get in. Plus, you're in drumline, which is like one of the most important sections in the band.</p>
<p>i think my stats are okay, i have over a 4.0 gpa, but so do a lot of people, so i think my stats wont hurt me, if anyone wants to read my band appeal essay and give me some feedback i woulld greatly appreciate it, thanks again</p>
<p>can anyone tell me how/when they tell you if you are in or not? Also I didn’t send in my audition until mid-july, do I still have a chance? (i play alto sax…)</p>
<p>I know this thread hasn’t been active for awhile, but I wanted to offer a different perspective from sofakingwangsta. I have no doubt that his alternate experience was less than great when he was in band, but Gordon has made a lot of changes with how the alternates are run. We still have alternates and they are based on playing and marching ability, but each alternate is paired with another alternate. Together they share a spot on the field. These two will alternate shows (one will do pregame the other will do halftime then the next time they will switch). This is to allow both an equal opportunity to march and not have to stay on the sidelines any more. </p>
<p>Also I would have to disagree with sofakingwangsta’s statement of not even bothering if you have never marched before. My high school didn’t have a marching band so I had never marched before (not even in a parade). Coming to band camp I knew absolutely nothing, but the staff doesn’t hold that against you. If after a couple days you start to get the hang of it and march well you have a good chance of not being an alternate. They also go over marching basics at the very beginning to help everyone get on the same page. (Also for some further encouragement, 3 of the 4 woodwind rank leaders, staff members who help with marching, last year had never marched before UCLA). </p>
<p>I would agree that marching band is what you make of it. I absolutely love it (I guess I’m in the top 50) but I also play the alto saxophone so no brass bias here. It was a great way for me to make friends at a huge school. If you are interested in the marching band I really hope you audition for it because, in my opinion, it is a great way to start off your time at UCLA. The band is the epitome of UCLA spirit and it’s a great energy to be around. </p>
<p>If you have any questions about the UCLA Marching Band feel free to reply to this post or PM me :)</p>
<p>How hard/competitive is it to get in Symphony orchestra?</p>