Click on one of the questions below to jump to the answer. If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please contact us at tubands@towson.edu or by phone at 410.704.5485.
- Do you have to be a music major to be in the band?
- Are there scholarships available to participate in marching band?
- Do I need to audition to join the marching band?
- What class should I register for to be in marching band?
- I have a class conflict and can’t enroll in marching band. What do I do?
- Who can join?
- What does it cost?
- How much time does it take?
- When is Band Camp?
- Where will I stay for band camp?
- I’ve been informed that I have a “New Student Orientation” during band camp. What do I do?
- I am a part of the “Honors College” and been informed I have mandatory sessions. What do I do?
- What is the rehearsal schedule during the fall semester?
- What shows are you playing this year?
- How do I register for Marching Band?
- What do I need to bring to band camp?
- What kind of professional staff do you have?
- Who can I contact with questions?
- I don’t own my own instrument, does the school have an instrument I can use?
- What does a typical football game schedule look like?
- Does the TUMB do other performances besides home football games?
- Do marching band members receive free football game tickets?
Do you have to be a music major to be in the band?
No. Many members of the band are not music majors, and their majors include Biology, Computer Science, Occupational Therapy, Elementary Education and several others. Non-music majors are welcome to be a part of the Towson University Marching Band. The TUMB typically has members that are studying in every degree program on campus. Music majors who specialize in a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument must participate in two seasons of the marching band as part of their degree.
TopAre their scholarships available to participate in marching band?
All members of the TUMB, including color guard, receive a participation scholarship ranging from $500-$1000 for fully participating in a complete marching band season. This money is deposited into each member’s university account at the end of the fall semester and will most likely be labeled as “Financial Aid Rebate – DOC” (Disbursement Online Center). If student’s owe money to the university or they are maxed out on student loans/parent plus loan, the stipend goes towards that first. Each student can look through their account and see where the stipend was utilized for. There is no application process or forms to fill out. Students will be granted the scholarship through successful completion of the marching band season.
Do I need to audition to join the marching band?
Winds – All high school musicians of various abilities, who have marching experience, should be confident to audition for the brass and woodwinds sections of our band. Auditions are online and are “rolling”, meaning they can be submitted at any time after they are released. If you’re a high school senior, and interested in attending TU to join the band, submit your audition during the spring or summer before your first semester at Towson. Audition information will become available during the spring and will be accessible via the homepage of our website. We will also send audition information to anyone on our future members email list, and local high school band directors.
Color Guard – We encourage performers of all experience and talent levels to audition for the color guard and to present their most authentic selves. We strive to make sure that anyone auditioning has a chance to gain education and experience that enhances their growth in the color guard activity, however space is limited. Audition information will become available during the spring and will be accessible via the homepage of our website. We will also send audition information to anyone on our future members email list, and local high school band directors.
Percussion – The TUMB takes pride in fielding one of the most innovative and technical percussion sections in the area. We encourage players of all experience and talent levels to audition. With that being said, there are a limited number of spots available on each instrument. Audition information will become available during the spring and will be accessible via the homepage of our website. We will also send audition information to anyone on our future members email list, and local high school band directors.
What class should I register for to be in marching band?
The marching band class is either MUSA160 or MUSA360. If you are a non-music major and are a Freshman or Sophomore, you will want to register for MUSA160. If you are a non-music major and are a Junior or Senior, you will want to register for MUSA360. If you are a music major, you will want to enroll in MUSA160 until you pass your double jury. After you pass your double jury, you may then enroll in MUSA360.
I have a class conflict and can’t enroll in marching band. What do I do?
The TUMB directors are able to override this conflict to allow you to enroll in both courses. Please keep an eye out for an email including the “class conflict form” which will come over the summer before each band season. Once you complete that form, we will take it from there. For severe conflicts, this may affect your eligibility to participate in the season. Feel free to reach out to the directors to discuss conflicts on a case by case basis.
Who can join?
Pending a successful audition, membership is open to all current Towson University students including those enrolled as a non-degree student. The main requirement is a whole lot of “Tiger Pride” and a strong desire to be part of an energized university marching band! Audition information will become available in the spring and will be posted on the homepage of this website.
What does it cost?
The costs are minimal.There is a $50 technology fee which is collected at registration during band camp. You must have appropriate footwear (black MTX marching shoes, no substitutions) and long black gloves – there will be additional fees for those items as needed. Those items can be purchased at band camp and an updated list of fees will be sent out over the summer. Otherwise, meals and travel are typically always covered by the band during performances.
How much time does it take?
During the summer, all sections of the band will have a few rehearsals for the sake of auditions and show preparation. Although attendance is expected over the summer, we are certainly flexible on a case by case basis. During the fall semester, our rehearsal schedule is very student friendly. During the academic week, we only practice on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45 to 5:15 pm. On Fridays, when students do not have course work due the next day, we rehearse from 3:45 to 7:00 pm. On performance weekends, we rehearse for a few hours, eat a complimentary lunch or dinner, warm up, then march into the stadium to perform our pre-game show. NOTE: Attendance is mandatory for all marching band performances; including games, playoff games, and exhibitions.
When is Band Camp?
Typically band camp will start a week and a half before the first day of classes. You can find specific dates in the “calendar tab” when they are available. Attendance at band camp is required. Students living in a residence hall on campus will be able to move in to their room at the beginning of band camp. Those early arrival expenses will be covered by the band along with meals for all band members.
We will spend that week putting together our yearly pre-game and half-time shows.
Where will I stay for band camp?
If you live in a residence hall, you will be given early admittance into your residence hall room for band camp. This is your permanent room for the entire semester. When you fill out the TUMB Commitment Form (which will be posted sometime in mid June), we will collect the necessary information to make those arrangements. Please make sure that you fill out this form accurately! You will move in to your resident hall the morning of band camp move-in. This gives students and families the rest of the morning and afternoon to place all the students belongings in their room.
I’ve been informed that I have a “New Student Orientation” during band camp. What do I do?
Not to worry! Every year there are orientation activities that occur during band camp. We coordinate our schedule with orientation officials to ensure that you are able to attend the required portions. In fact, the first performance of the year for the TUMB is at the Freshman Convocation. Leading up to band camp, we will provide a detailed schedule for attending both rehearsals and orientation events.
I am a part of the “Honors College” and been informed I have mandatory sessions. What do I do?
Every year we have TUMB students that are a part of the Honors College program. We communicate with the Honors College to ensure you attend the required portions. Leading up to band camp, we will provide a detailed schedule for attending both rehearsals and Honors College events.
What is the rehearsal schedule during the fall semester?
The Marching Band meets throughout the fall semester during football season. The marching band class is scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45pm-5:15pm, and on Fridays from 3:45pm-7:00pm. On performance and game-day Saturdays, we meet early in the day for warm up, run through, and last minute fine tuning. Incoming freshman will not have any schedule conflicts between the marching band class and other courses. More complete information can be found at the Schedule link in the upper menu of the website.
What shows are you playing this year?
Along with our pregame show, The Towson University Marching Band works to perfect one halftime show each season. We are proud to put together a show that is reflective of current trends in the marching arts.
How do I register for Marching Band?
The marching band class is either MUSA160 or MUSA360. If you are a non-music major and are a Freshman or Sophomore, you will want to register for MUSA160. If you are a non-music major and are a Junior or Senior, you will want to register for MUSA360. If you are a music major, you will want to enroll in MUSA160 until you pass your double jury. After you pass your double jury, you may then enroll in MUSA360. Current Towson University students can register for the class during their scheduling time in the spring semester. If you are unable to register for the Marching Band class due to a time conflict with another class, a Class Conflict Form will be emailed to all members over the summer for you to complete. We will then manually enroll you in the class prior to band camp.
What do I need to bring to band camp?
After auditioning and committing to the marching band, you will receive a “band camp newsletter” with specific details about what to bring.
What kind of professional staff do you have?
Each year, the Towson University Marching Band has an experienced group of professional staff members. More information about our current staff can be found on the Professional Staff page by clicking here.
Who can I contact with questions?
Please click here to view the contact information for the Towson University Marching Band.
Does the TUMB provide instruments?
The TUMB provides all sousaphones, marching baritones, trombones, mellophones, some tenor saxes, and all marching percussion and front ensemble instruments. Other instruments may be available on a limited basis. There is no cost for the use of these instruments. However, TUMB members are responsible for the safe keeping of rented instruments. Please make sure to contact us at tubands@towson.edu.
What does a typical football game schedule look like?
The TUMB performs at all home games during the season. The band practices a few hours in the morning and then we provide food for all members, staff, and volunteers during our tailgate. Our tailgate/warmup is located on Lot 8, which is near SECU Arena and the Towson Center. We then march to the stadium and perform our pregame show, play in the stands during the game, perform some of our halftime show, and finally we perform our entire halftime production in what we call “The 5th Quarter.” After our performance and our Drum Majors dismiss the students, they are then able to leave for the evening.
Does the TUMB do other performances besides home football games?
Yes! We typically perform off campus at least twice during the season. These performances typically include the Collegiate Marching Band Festival in Allentown PA and exhibitions at local high school competitions. We also perform two exhibitions during the MMBA MD State Championships which is located at Towson University. Although it is not regular, the TUMB may perform at an away football game if it is local.
Do marching band members receive free football game tickets?
Yes! The band is given a pool of complimentary tickets for each game. This pool of tickets is enough for each member to request 2 tickets and they will have the opportunity to do so one week before each game. If there are tickets leftover after that, members can request additional tickets.
Members will receive detailed instructions about this process at the beginning of the season and it is their responsibility to make ticket requests. If a member misses the ticket request deadline, they are no longer guaranteed their 2 tickets. Friends and family members are not able to request complimentary tickets on behalf of their member.