Q: When does the band rehearse?
A: During the course of the semester, the band rehearses Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from noon to 1:50 pm. Some students may have occasional class conflicts with this meeting time. Participation is still allowed in this case, though the student should check that no other course sections are available. (Students in such a situation should consult their academic adviser to enroll in both courses.) The band also rehearses on the day of home football games, usually for two hours – exact times depend on the kickoff time of each game.
Q: Are there any rehearsals that meet before classes begin?
A: Yes, the band’s summer schedule starts one week before classes begin (August 14-17 for Fall 2022). During that Sunday through Wednesday, the band rehearses 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. The band’s schedule will not interfere with TU’s Freshman Orientation activities, except for those students serving as peer leaders. *Non-freshman students living on campus will need to apply for early move-in or have other housing arrangements for the week.*
Q: Is there an audition required to join the band?
A: No audition is needed for participation, but auditions are required for scholarship consideration (must be completed by March 1 of the spring before the student’s freshman year) and are required of all participating students in August. The purpose of the fall audition is to help faculty set ensemble personnel. Fall audition music is distributed during summer band sessions.
Q: Are Tulsa Community College students able to participate?
A: Yes! We welcome participants from TCC and have several each year. Interested students should email Mr. Anderson at andrew-anderson@utulsa.edu during late July or early August to verify their intent to participate. These students should also keep in mind both the summer week and in-semester class schedule to ensure that their TCC schedules can accommodate their participation.
Q: I’ve been accepted and am in the process of enrollment. In which course should I enroll?
A: Band members should enroll in MUS 0020 (zero-credit) or MUS 0021 (one credit hour). For both courses, wind players and percussionists should enroll in Section one and Colorguard members should enroll in Section two.
Q: Are members expected to play for basketball games?
A: Yes, in order to continue receiving awarded band scholarship money. The marching band membership is divided into three groups, which rotate games, resulting in the expectation of each member playing eight basketball games during the course of late fall and early spring. There are no additional rehearsals for music played during basketball games.
Q: Are there opportunities for travel?
A: Yes, depending on the year. The marching band travels to road games if any are played at Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, or Arkansas – budgetary concerns usually preclude any further regular season travel. However, the full band does travel to any bowl game for which the football team is invited. Additionally, 29-member bands (size limited by NCAA regulation) usually travel to the American Athletic Conference basketball tournament and to any applicable NCAA Tournament games. In recent years, the bands have traveled to Miami, Memphis, San Diego, Fort Worth, Dayton (OH), Norman, Stillwater, Fayetteville (AR) and Shreveport (LA).
