UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY BANDS

Future Members

Please Read Our Frequently Asked Questions

The Wildcat Marching Band is one of the nation's most progressive and innovative. Using the most creative and contemporary techniques of marching style, show design, and musical impact, this organization performs at all UK home games and selected away games. The repertoire of the Wildcat Marching Bands ranges from contemporary jazz to classic favorites. Any UK student, regardless of major, is eligible for membership. The Wildcat Marching Band is under the direction of George R. Boulden, Associate Director of Bands, and the student band staff.

Rehearsals

Band rehearsals are scheduled on M-W-F from 5 pm to 7 pm. Rehearsals on game days begin three and a half hours before kickoff and last one hour. Game day rehearsals are held at Shively Field or, in case of bad weather, inside the Nutter Field House.These rehearsals provide an enjoyable change of pace with minimal time involvement for the busy college student. No "extra" rehearsals are scheduled. Marching Band, MUC 190, earns one college credit per semester. This credit may be used as an elective in any degree program.

Wind Auditions

Auditions for the Wildcat Marching Band may be scheduled any time during the year. The audition may be done on campus or a CD/cassette tape may be submitted. The audition material should include a:

1. Chromatic scale demonstrating your practical range
2. Several major scales of your choice
3. A short exercise/excerpt demonstrating your technical and musical ability.

Percussion Auditions

The drum line is selected by audition during the normal audition procedures for Marching Band membership. Appropriate numbers of snares, tenors, bass drums, and cymbals are selected for a total of approximately 35-40 members. You may contact James B. Campbell, Percussion Coordinator for more information.

Guard and Majorette Auditions

The Color Guard, Majorettes, and Feature Twirlers are selected during special auditions in April. The Color Guard consists of both flags and rifles. Persons interested in the auditions should contact the Band Office, 859.257.2263, to have their names included on these specialized mailing lists. Email questions to the UK Band Office.

Early Week

"Early Week", as UK's band camp is called, is held a week before classes begin and includes extensive training in marching and playing at the college level. During this period there are dances, parties, receptions, and a banquet to offset the hours of hard work. Those students who have been assigned a dorm room can move into their room during this period at no charge and the band provides all meals. The band's early arrival on campus provides each individual an opportunity to get settled in the dorms, buy books, make new friends, and adjust to a new environment and a new independence before classes begin.

Travel

The band provides a pep band for every away game and travels with the full band to one away game. The Wildcat Marching Band has recently traveled to Georgia, Indiana, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU, Tulane, Auburn, Alabama, amd Florida and has participated in bowl games, a BOA Regional Championship, a Presidential Inauguration, a World Series and professional football games. Individuals have been selected as members of the Olympic Band, the Liberty All-Collegiate Band, the Disney World All-Star Band, the Collegiate Presidential Inaugural Band, and the Rose Bowl United Way Collegiate Band. Travel expenses such as lodging, transportation, and meals are provided by the University of Kentucky. There is no cost to the band members.

Finances

The University of Kentucky provides the financial support for the band. There is generally no expense for being in the band except for the purchase of marching shoes and optional purchases such as a band jacket, T-shirt, recordings, and decals. Band members do no fundraising.

Drum Majors

Drum Majors are selected each spring from the ranks of the Wildcat Marching Band. Selection is based on experience, field appearance, conducting ability, personality, and leadership potential. Freshmen and new members of the marching band may not audition for drum major.

Other Information of Interest

Interested band members form the Band Advisory Council. The Band Advisory Council is responsible for developing the UK Band Handbook.

Each year the band awards the "Honor Band Society" award to those students who have contributed to an extraordinary degree their time and energy to the success of the band. These awards are presented at the annual fall banquet.

The honorary band sorority, Tau Beta Sigma, and band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, are very active throughout the year providing special service to the band and supporting its needs.

---

Do you have questions about the Wildcat Marching Band?  If so, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to find more information on the WMB. Still have questions, email the UK Band Office.

 

University Bands
33 Fine Arts Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0022
OFFICE: 859-257-BAND
OFFICE FAX: 859-257-8192