This section provides answers to the frequently asked questions that current high school students may have about becoming a member of the UCLA Bruin Marching Band.

1) Do I have to be a Music Major to join the Band?

No, you do not have to be a Music Major. Music Majors generally account for only about 10% of the Bruin Marching Band. We almost always have more Engineering majors in the Band than Music majors. Over 40 different majors are represented in the Band.

2) Do I have to be a member of the Bruin Marching Band to play in the pep band at basketball games?

Yes. During the fall marching season is when the Band learns all of the music performed during basketball season. There are very few rehearsals once football season is over.

3) When are rehearsals for the Bruin Marching Band during the fall?

Band Camp begins about ten days before classes begin. Once the Fall Quarter begins, the regular rehearsal schedule is Tuesdays 5-7pm, Thursdays 4-6pm and Fridays 3-5pm. The Band will often cancel Friday rehearsals if there is no home game the next day, particularly later in the season.

4) How many shows does the Band perform each fall?

The Band performs a new halftime show at every home football game once classes begin. Two of these shows are usually quite demanding in terms of both music and marching. The Band also usually hosts a High School Band Day that is a massed band performance with over 3,000 band members on the field together. The Band also performs its traditional pregame show at every home football game once classes begin.

5) Is there a band at home games before Band Camp begins?

Yes. This usually involves getting a group of upperclassmen together, but incoming freshmen may also perform if they wish.

6) Does the Band travel?

You bet it does! We normally take the full band to either the Cal or Stanford game each fall. In 2006, the full band traveled to the away football games at Notre Dame, and since 1997, the Band has sent pep bands to football games at Texas, Alabama, Miami, Washington, Illinois, Colorado, Ohio State and Tennessee. Pep bands have travelled all over the USA with the basketball team to NCAA Basketball Tournament games.

A group of 50 band members traveled to Hong Kong in January 2006, and again in 2008, to perform at that city's Chinese New Year's Day Parade. Fourteen members of the Drumline traveled to Nagoya, Japan in May 2010 to perform at the 27th Annual Ekitopia Festival.

So answer is YES, the Band does travel!

7) Do any of the band members get paid?

Yes. There are a limited number of scholarships available to both music and non-music majors that are usually awarded to upperclassmen. There are also over 30 Band Staff positions available to band members after their first year in the band such as Drum Major, Recruiting Crew, Equipment Crew, Uniform Crew, Library Crew, Section Leader and Rank Leader. The Band plays for numerous events off campus throughout the year that band members, including freshman, are eligible for. See the Movie and Television sections under History & Media to see recent gigs we have done. Also, band members can receive free adidas apparel for performing at Olympic sports events such as soccer, volleyball, swimming, baseball and softball.

8) Do I have to audition to join the Band?

Yes. Click HERE for Audition requirements. Most people who audition are accepted although placement in some sections is more competitive than others.

9) Do I have to come to the Band Office to audition?

You can, but it is not required. Many people mail in video taped auditions, or send us a link to a vieo they have posted to YouTube. Many others audition on campus while they are here for their Summer Orientation session.

10) If I am not admitted to UCLA, is there anything the Band can do to help with my appeal?

Contact Marching Band Director  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to see if he can do anything for you.