How to Join
Commonly Asked Questions
General
Do I have to be a full time UCLA student to be a member of the Bruin Marching Band?
Yes.
Do I have to be a Music Major to join the Band?
No, not at all. Music Majors generally account for only about 10% of the Bruin Marching Band. Actually, we almost always have more Engineering majors than Music Majors, and proudly represent over 40 different majors in the Band.
Do I have to audition to join the Band?
Yes. See “Join the Band” on the main page to follow the links to audition information for each section. All auditions for the Bruin Marching Band are accepted electronically, through a simple, straightforward process. Most people who audition are accepted, although placement in some sections is more competitive than others. Music Majors are automatically offered positions in the Band once they are admitted to the Department of Music.
How many shows does the Band perform each fall?
The Band performs a new halftime show at every home football game during the Fall Quarter. At least two of these shows are usually quite demanding in terms of both music and marching. The Band also performs its traditional Pregame Show at every home football game once classes begin.
Do I have to be a member of the Bruin Marching Band to play in the pep band at basketball games and other events?
Yes. The Band learns most of the year’s music during the Fall marching season, and there are few rehearsals once football season is over. Every member of the Marching Band is automatically offered participation in the pep band, which performs at all Men’s and Women’s home basketball games, one event each for all of the “Olympic” Sports, and many other fun events throughout the year. With very few exceptions (post-season tournaments for example), all pep band events are open to everyone. The ability to participate in the pep band is one of the great perks of being a member of the Bruin Marching Band.
Auditions
Information specifically for Brass & Woodwind Auditions
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for the Solid Gold Sound!
Once you have been accepted as a UCLA student for the 2023-24 academic year, you may audition for the UCLA Bruin Marching Band. Current UCLA students are also eligible and encouraged to audition! (The process is the same for incoming and current students.)
All Brass and Woodwind auditions for the 2023-24 Bruin Marching Band will be completed by video submission. (Yes, cell phone videos are more than sufficient.)
All of the information you need to complete and submit your video is posted below.
Please contact Associate Director Ken Fisher with any questions you may have: uclabruinband@gmail.com
The UCLA Band marches the following woodwind instruments: piccolo, flute, clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax
The UCLA Band marches the following brass instruments: trumpet, mellophone, trombone, sousaphone
(We can accept auditions on a related instrument, for example: euphonium/baritone for a trombone or tuba spot, French horn for a mellophone spot)
Music Majors are automatically accepted into the band, although in many cases we still ask for a video submission (for example: for part placement within trumpet and trombone sections, or those wanting to march a different instrument than their major)
Although there is no finite deadline, we like to have auditions wrapped up by mid to late August to prepare for Band Camp. Acceptances are on a rolling basis and auditions may close for some sections as they fill up. It is always in your best interest to audition sooner rather than later.
We understand that some people might not have access to school instruments/equipment or might be challenged finding an acceptable place to make their video. Please contact the email above if you are encountering logistical problems with your audition video, and we will work together to find a solution.
Video Requirements
The video should be done in one continuous take (do not turn camera off in between scales/piece) and should not be more than a few minutes total.
What your video should include:
- A short introduction of yourself
- The following concert major scales: Bb, Eb, C, F
- A short prepared piece or etude
Submission
Upload your video to YouTube as an “unlisted” video, or to another file sharing service such as google drive, dropbox, or box. (Please check to make sure the permissions will allow us to view it!)
Secure the download link that you will send to us via the form below.
When you’re ready to submit your audition, fill out the online application here:
2023-2024 Audition Application
Still not convinced to join the band? Hear it again from a few celebrities!
Information specifically for Drumline Auditions
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for the UCLA Drumline!
Once you have been accepted as a UCLA student for the 2023-24 academic year, you may audition for the UCLA Bruin Marching Band.
Current UCLA students are also eligible and encouraged to audition! (The process is the same for incoming and current students.)
All initial Drumline auditions for the 2023-24 Bruin Marching Band will be completed by video submission. (Yes, cell phone videos are more than sufficient.)
We accept members into the Drumline as a whole based on your video submission, then assign specific instruments throughout the summer up until Band Camp.
All of the information you need to complete and submit your video is posted below.
Please contact Associate Director Ken Fisher with any questions you may have: uclabruinband@gmail.com
- The UCLA Drumline marches snare, quads, bass, and cymbals.
- The UCLA Band does not use any pit or front ensemble.
- Pit and Mallet specialists are of course encouraged to audition, and we’ll work together to find the best fit within the line.
- Music Majors are automatically accepted into the band, although in most cases we will still ask for a video submission to get an idea of where you would fit in the line.
Although there is no finite deadline, we like to have auditions wrapped up by mid to late August to prepare for Band Camp. Acceptances are on a rolling basis and auditions may close if the line is full, so it is always in your best interest to audition sooner rather than later.
We understand that some people might not have access to school instruments/equipment or might be challenged finding an acceptable place to make their video. Please contact the email above if you are encountering logistical problems with your audition video, and we will work together to find a solution.
For Drumline specifically, there is a spot on the audition form where you may include an optional secondary video, for show/rehearsal/performance with Drumline/ensemble.
Video Requirements
The video should be done in one continuous take (do not turn camera off in between rudiments/piece) and should not be more than a few minutes total.
What your video should include:
- A short introduction of yourself
- A short demonstration of proficiency in a few standard drum rudiments
- A short prepared piece or etude demonstrating your ability (you can use music from your high school field show or any other performing group)
Note: You do not have to use anything from the UCLA Drumline library, links are provided below simply for reference.
Submission
Upload your video to YouTube as an “unlisted” video, or to another file sharing service such as google drive, dropbox, or box. (Please check to make sure the permissions will allow us to view it!)
Secure the download link that you will send to us via the form below.
When you’re ready to submit your audition, fill out the online application here:
2023-2024 Audition Application
Drumline Music Library
UCLA Drum Cadence
- UCLA Cadence (Score)
- UCLA Cadence (Snare)
- UCLA Cadence (Tenors)
- UCLA Cadence (Bass)
- UCLA Cadence (Cymbals)
Cadences
Pregame
- Pregame Packet (Score)
- Pregame Packet (Snare)
- Pregame Packet (Tenors)
- Pregame Packet (Bass)
- Pregame Packet (Cymbal)
Fight Songs
Still not convinced to join the band? Hear it again from a few celebrities!
Information specifically for Color Guard Auditions
Thank you for your interest in auditioning for the UCLA Color Guard!
Once you have been accepted as a UCLA student for the 2023-24 academic year, you may audition for the UCLA Bruin Marching Band. Current UCLA students are also eligible and encouraged to audition! (The process is the same for incoming and current students.)
All Color Guard auditions for the 2023-24 Bruin Marching Band will be completed by video submission. (Yes, cell phone videos are more than sufficient.)
All of the information you need to complete and submit your video is posted below.
Please contact Associate Director Ken Fisher with any questions you may have: uclabruinband@gmail.com
Although there is no finite deadline, we do like to have auditions wrapped up by mid to late August to prepare for Band Camp, and it is always in your best interest to audition sooner rather than later.
We understand that some people might not have access to school equipment or might be challenged finding an acceptable place to make their video. Please contact the email above if you are encountering logistical problems with your audition video, and we will work together to find a solution.
For Color Guard specifically, we will accept a video of you performing with your Color Guard or auxiliary unit in lieu of the solo routine video, both to help with logistical issues, and to encourage auditions from anyone who might be uncomfortable doing a solo routine.
There is a space on the audition form below where you can include an optional supplemental video. For those that do the solo video, you can use that space to also include a show rehearsal/performance video if you wish.
Video Requirements
The video should be in one continuous take if possible, and does not need to be more than a few minutes total.
What your video should include:
- A short introduction of yourself
- A two-minute routine to music of your choice
and/or
- A show rehearsal/performance video showing you with Color Guard or Auxiliary Unit
Note: for the show video, please identify yourself in some way. You can write in the comments section on the audition form, the description section of a YouTube video, or even put an arrow, etc on the video indicating which is you.
Submission
Upload your video to YouTube as an “unlisted” video, or to another file sharing service such as google drive, dropbox, or box. (Please check to make sure the permissions will allow us to view it!)
Secure the download link that you will send to us via the form below.
When you’re ready to submit your audition, fill out the online application here:
2024-2024 Audition Application
Still not convinced to join the band? Hear it again from a few celebrities!
