UCLA Marching Band!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

<p>I haven't seen much about it, so I'm here to ask some questions! I'm very interested in joining next year, as a freshman.</p>

<p>I've been a flute player in the marching band for the past four years of high school. I was also flute section leader (one of four) amongst a section of 36 people in 12th grade. I was voted "Most Spirited Member" amongst my peers... just showing how much I do enjoy the program! ;)</p>

<p>Some questions I have</p>

<p>1) How hard is it to get in?... especially for flutes?
2) How time-consuming is it?
3) Overall experience - was it worth it?
4) Do they haze?</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

2

<p>All right! My favorite Subject!</p>

<p>I don’t know how hard it is for flutes, but don’t let that scare you off. The band has a loud, brassy sound, so trumpets have an edge, but it’s a huge band, so there are lots of slots for everybody.</p>

<p>It isn’t as time consuming as your high school band, because everybody learns the drills faster than in high school, so fewer practices per week. On home games, you will have a long day, but it’s super fun and only around 5 games per year.</p>

<p>Overall experience is probably the most awesome thing you will ever do in your life. Seriously! My son said that the thrill of performing in the Rose Bowl totally rocks. The fans are great, and the band members get the best seats in the stadium, right in front of the UCLA cheerleaders, and next to the student cheer section. The band does great songs, different program every game, with a traditional pregame show of their special version of Strike up the Band. And if the Bruins win, they play Rover, which is to the tune of I’m looking over a 4 leaf clover, but with the words changed to my dead dog Rover. They do silly dancing around on the field during Rover. </p>

<p>After every game they give a parent’s concert, and the parents get FREE SEASON TICKETS. :)</p>

<p>My son never said anything to me about hazing, I don’t think it is an issue. He had so much fun and met so many friends. He travelled to Las Vegas, Notre Dame, Stanford, Cal, Hong Kong, Texas and elsewhere. Being in the marching band also entitles you to be in the Varsity band for water polo, tennis, etc. and basketball. Also, you will perform in at least one high school tournament, and march in the Homecoming Parade, and hopefully also the Rose Parade, or another holiday parade for other bowl games.</p>

<p>When the seniors play at their last home game, they stand in the center of a huge circle of band members who play the school songs for them. It’s a really neat way to be honored.</p>

<p>Go to the UCLA band website to find out more. You can either audition in person, or send in a tape. My son sent in a tape.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.uclaband.com/[/url]”>http://www.uclaband.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;