<p>I don't know whether I should join the Silks or not. Firstly, the costs of joining are something I'm definitely worrying about- band camp, uniforms, trips..etc. Also, I'm not sure how I'll do in terms of time management, especially when I will be adjusting to college life. Lastly, I have class schedule conflicts. Although I have been told by the Silks section leader that I can go to practices after class or just do extra practices, I'm not sure how much extra time that will leave me for other ECs and such? Any input is helpful: thank you!!.</p>
<p>The USC Band is 100% free after you buy your member shirts for like 50 bucks. That includes all trips (bus rides, flights, hotels), uniforms, equipment, and every meal during band camp or during trips. You also get two free tickets to every home game to give to friends or family and other benefits. If you don’t want to pay to move in to your residence hall early, you can stay in the hotel with other freshmen during band camp for free.</p>
<p>How extensive are your class conflicts?</p>
<p>If you have any questions about the band, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>-4 year TMB alum</p>
<p>What costs are you concerned about? Surely not monetary, since everything is free besides the spirit pack you buy once freshman year. Band camp is free (and mandatory), and you even get free breakfasts for the whole week. Football games are free (and mandatory) and amazing experiences. Trips are free (and not mandatory, but you want to go on them). And honestly, we have a good chance to go to the national championship for football this year. By the way, did I mention that it’s all free? You won’t get a better deal in your entire time at USC.</p>
<p>As far as time management goes: you’ll learn those skills by being busy and figuring out how to deal with it. Yes, band takes a lot of time. It is definitely worth it though. Being part of the biggest and best student organization on campus, that does the coolest things and represents the university so visibly is a unique experience. Some of my best memories at USC have been as part of the band: marching into notre dame stadium and getting booed by 80,000 hostile fans, helping our women’s volleyball team win the Pac-12 title while watching our football team beat oregon on the jumbotron, the annual weekender trip to the bay area, performing at the academy awards, marching down Main Street USA at Disneyland in the christmas parade, etc etc etc.</p>
<p>In conclusion I’ll say that joining band was the best decision I made at USC.</p>
<p>-also a 4 year TMB alum</p>
<p>Joining the Trojan marching band sounds fun. But what about for someone who doesn’t know how to play a instrument??? Do they teach you??</p>
<p>Yes, you can join the band without knowing how to play an instrument–just don’t expect to be out there marching the first game of the season!</p>
<p>I’m fond of relating the story of one of my ‘freshmen’ when I was a section leader: he was a 31 year old Navy veteran who had transferred to USC from a city college, and despite his age he had always wanted to be in the USC Band… but not only had he never played an instrument in his life, he couldn’t even read music. He marched the 4th home game of the season, and marched at Notre Dame.</p>
<p>Wow, BandTenHut, had no idea! Thanks for sharing!</p>
<p>Sure thing–we always thought it was hilarious that you had to audition for the band across town that nobody cares about.</p>
<p>Let me guess… trumpet?</p>
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<p>UCLA blows. My high school band instructor went to UCLA and every year he gets the “good” high school band seniors into UCLA’s music program or marching band because of his close ties to the music director at UCLA. Am I bitter that I wasn’t one of those kids? Of course not. I don’t care for the guy and I hate that school.</p>
<p>What I am bitter about is that we had to play UCLA’s fight song in freaking high school, every Fall.</p>
<p>I’ve said this a dozen times now on CC in threads like this but I will always regret not doing TMB. I am jealous of all my classmates/friends that did it despite the time commitment.</p>
<p>My case in point: [HOUDINI</a> - Foster The People at Gibson Amphitheatre 7-1-12 - YouTube](<a href=“HOUDINI - Foster The People at Gibson Amphitheatre 7-1-12 - YouTube”>http://youtu.be/0vUTEAJuJzE)</p>
<p>Because I’ve been reading these posts like this about the TMB - I encouraged my D to check it out. She played violin for 7 years but gave it up 2 years ago. She went to F6 orientation Monday with the idea she was going to join a sorority and not band. Over the course of orientation she changed her mind and informed me by text today that she joined the band and they are going to teach her the trumpet. I’m very excited for her and I think it will be great. She even added band to her schedule and there are no conflicts. Now just have to figure out if she can move into Marks tower early or get a room at the radisson. Also should she buy a trumpet before she goes?</p>
<p>My son was just accepted into screenwriting and would love to be a part of the drumline. I know he’ll have to audition - we’re hoping he can play cymbals if nothing else. He was the drumline section leader for his high school and is excellent on the tenors.</p>
<p>If anyone has any updates, ideas or insider information on the band, we’d love to hear it! Still giddy with excitement over his acceptance. :-)</p>
<p>Dear new Trojan mom,</p>
<p>A great way to see a short video of the percussion band members is to view YouTube. My favorite is “Cadence” from 2005 filmed in front of Heritage Hall. Many drumline performances are short. This one is around ten minutes of spectacular sounds by the TMB percussionists.</p>
<p>Thanks so much, Georgia Girl - we have watched it and it’s fantastic. </p>
<p>From all the helpful advice and support given by you and other USC grads, parents, and students, we feel as though we’re already part of the Trojan family, just two days after his acceptance.</p>