<p>What are the best combinations of selective colleges and universities that would provide a snare drummer great opportunities to pursue his passion?</p>
<p>I think Cornell has the best marching band in the Ivy League. Lots of tradition. Very entertaining. Small groups serenade the fans in the stands.</p>
<p>[Welcome</a> to SAO - Cornell University](<a href=“http://www.sao.cornell.edu/SO/search2008.php?igroup=526&year=org2008]Welcome”>http://www.sao.cornell.edu/SO/search2008.php?igroup=526&year=org2008)
[Cornell</a> University Big Red Marching Band](<a href=“http://mb.bigredbands.org/index.php]Cornell”>http://mb.bigredbands.org/index.php)</p>
<p>Michigan, Notre Dame, U of Southern California, Boston College, Vanderbilt, Northwestern.</p>
<p>Stanford, Cal-Berkeley.</p>
<p>But there are plenty of schools that may not be top tier in overall rankings that have superior programs if you look hard enough and have SUPERIOR marching bands/music programs. Appalachian State University is one such school.</p>
<p>Imagine coming out of a dark tunnel into the bright sunlight before 110,000 fans. That’s the Big House. What a rush!</p>
<p>Great school, great band, great percussion? Oh, and folks who know how to have fun too?</p>
<p>No contest: Wisconsin</p>
<p>[Drumline</a> Warriors](<a href=“http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3518339924147988038#]Drumline”>http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3518339924147988038#)</p>
<p>Be aware that a lot of these top bands have try-outs, and not everybody gets accepted into the band. It would really suck to go some place because of the band, and not be accepted into the band. Then you’d have to pull a “Rudy” and try out for the band every year, and you’d probably end up being one of the guys assigned to roll a 6-foot bass drum around on a cart so some other guy can actually hit it. Getting female companionship in college is hard enough even for guys who AREN’T the ones who push the bass drum cart around the football field…</p>
<p>Ohio State.</p>
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<p>How soon generally can new students find out if they’ve made it into the band / drumline? Could it be in time to make that a factor in a college decision, or is it usually just before the fall semester?</p>
<p>Does he want to major in music, or participate in marching band with another major? (and what might that major be?)</p>
<p>Clemson University’s TIGER BAND</p>
<p>Rice’s MOB (Marching Owl Band- the band that doesn’t march)</p>
<p>Actually, neither the Rice nor the Stanford bands march.</p>
<p>Search Youtube for “Cal Band Video Game Show”. Epic.</p>
<p><<how soon=“” generally=“” can=“” new=“” students=“” find=“” out=“” if=“” they’ve=“” made=“” it=“” into=“” the=“” band=“” drumline?=“” could=“” be=“” in=“” time=“” to=“” make=“” that=“” a=“” factor=“” college=“” decision,=“” or=“” is=“” usually=“” just=“” before=“” fall=“” semester?=“”>></how></p>
<p>From what I’ve seen, most of the tryouts are at band camp, which is usually the week before school starts in the fall. There might be a few schools that allow auditions in the spring before enrollment, but even that is almost too late for the decision making.</p>
<p>My son is also interested in being in the marching band. He knows that he will be competitive (based on his HS band and skill level) but he also knows there is no guarantee. For example, at Penn State (his top choice right now), there are 68 trumpets…period. So, if there are 78 kids trying out - 10 won’t make it. But if there 67 trying out - chances are they all will (assuming they have a basic level of competency).</p>
<p>Also, different bands have different “feels.” Some bands require auditions, some do not. Some do just basic marching formations, some do more “drum corps” style marching. Some require you to memorize music, some do not. Some travel to all away games, some only do 1 or 2 (and then do all championship/bowl games).</p>
<p>Also, many schools seem to require auditions every year. So even if you make it one year - you are not guaranteed for the following year.</p>
<p>University of Florida’s - The Pride of the Sunshine</p>
<p>[The</a> Pride of the Sunshine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pride_of_the_Sunshine]The”>The Pride of the Sunshine - Wikipedia)</p>
<ul>
<li>They just got a fat donation from George Steinbrenner</li>
</ul>
<p>University of Texas-Austin</p>
<p>Notre Dame.</p>
<p>Oldest collegiate marching band in continuous existence. For each football game, they perform a new 5-8 minute show during half time. During the 2nd half, small groups of upperclassmen band members go around the stands and play pep tunes. They travel to several away football games each year and to bowl games when the football team actually makes it to a bowl!</p>
<p>UCLA of course! :)</p>
<p>They play all their home games at the world famous Rose Bowl.</p>
<p>[UCLA</a> Bruin Marching Band](<a href=“http://www.uclaband.com/]UCLA”>http://www.uclaband.com/)</p>
<p>^^^^Yeah they march 20 miles each way to the game! LOL</p>