Join Us!

Students who are interested in participation should contact us! You must be fully admitted to the University of South Alabama in order to audition. Membership is open by audition to all full-time students at the University of South Alabama, and students do not have to major or minor in music in order to participate in the Jaguar Marching Band. Current USA students, high school seniors, and students transferring to USA should then schedule an audition with the Director, Dr. Ward Miller. The Department of Music hears auditions for wind players throughout the school year. All students who are admitted will be awarded a scholarship. Auditions will be waived for woodwind and brass players who have auditioned and been accepted as a music major or minor, unless they wish to audition for the Jag Drumline or the USA Color Guard. For answers to all of your questions, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

SCHEDULING AN AUDITION

You must be fully admitted to the University of South Alabama in order to audition. A student may schedule an audition at any time by calling (251) 460-6136 or by filling out the online audition application.

Auditions will be waived for woodwind and brass players who have auditioned and been accepted as a music major or minor, unless they wish to audition for the Jag Drumline or the USA Color Guard.

If you are not available to audition on any of the official dates, then you may schedule a special date and time by calling (251)-460-6136. In addition, if three or more senior wind players at your school have been admitted to the University of South Alabama, then the Director of Athletic Bands will travel to your school to conduct the auditions there. Be advised that a remote audition cannot be scheduled for a student seeking admission as a music major or minor. Requirements and procedures for auditioning as a music major or minor are listed on our Departmental Admissions page.

REMOTE AUDITIONS

Students who live a prohibitive distance from campus may schedule a live, remote audition using internet video (Skype, Google Chat, iChat, FaceBook chat, etc.) To schedule such an audition, call (251) 460-6136.

AUDITION REQUIREMENTS

PLEASE NOTE: These requirements are for students wishing to march in the Jaguar Marching Band, not for Music Majors or Minors. For details on those auditions, please visit this page. Students who pass the Music Major/Minor admission audition will have their marching band audition waived.

WIND PLAYERS
All winds must be heard by the director of the Marching Band, or another Department of Music Faculty member, to be accepted into the ensemble. The audition is informal, and no prepared piece is required. The performer will be asked to:

Perform the F, B^b, E^b, and A^b concert scales in two octaves from memory with arpeggios (in eighth notes at quarter note=120)
Perform the chromatic scale from memory in at least two octaves (in eighth notes at quarter note=120)
Sight-read a short excerpt.

PERCUSSIONISTS
Auditions for the 2012-2013 Jag Drum Line will be held Wednesday through Friday, July 11 through July 13, 2012. To be the first to receive audition and clinic information when it becomes available, fill out the Jag Drum Line Interest Form. For additional information on audition requirements, visit the Jag Drumline page.

COLOR GUARD
No other performing unit can add the color, motion, and field coverage provided by a color guard. The USA Jaguar Marching Band seeks a group of dynamic performing men and women who can consistently provide these elements. Auditions for the 2012 USA Color Guard will take place in an all-day event held on the USA campus Saturday, June 23, 2012. Students who wish to audition must fill out the online application. A free, optional informational clinic will be held for all interested students on Saturday, April 21, 2012. To be notified immediately when color guard information becomes available, please fill out a Color Guard interest form. For information on audition requirements, visit our Color Guard page.

FEATURE TWIRLER
The Jaguar Marching Band will not be seeking a Feature Twirler until Fall of 2013. Finalists for the feature twirler position will be selected from a nationwide search conducted via video and resumé submissions. After reviewing all submissions, select finalists will be notified and invited to the University of South Alabama campus for a live audition. The feature twirler, if selected, will receive a full in-state tuition scholarship for the academic year, renewable yearly. For more information, visit our Feature Twirler page.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I audition for the Jaguar Marching Band? Before you do anything, make sure you apply and are fully admitted to the University of South Alabama. This can be done online at the Admissions website. After that, check out the audition requirements, and apply for a hearing.

How much does it cost to go to school at USA? You can calculate your tuition and fees at this link. Keep in mind that your marching band scholarship, as well as any other awards and aid you receive, will reduce this overall amount. Residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, and George, Greene, Harrison, Jackson, Perry and Stone counties in Mississippi are considered “Service Area Residents” and will not be charged out-of-state fees. Students are required to submit documents to substantiate their residency in these counties. Also, students in Florida who qualify for a "Bright Futures" scholarship can receive a matching scholarship from USA via the Jaguar Marching Band with a quality musical audition.

I live outside the service area on the map, and therefore will pay more in tuition. Will the Jaguar Marching Band help me out with these extra expenses? Yes! If you must pay more for out of state tuition, the Jaguar Marching Band will help you by giving you a larger scholarship.

Does the marching band take a lot of time? No! In fact, it probably takes much less time than your high school marching band. Marching band is a class that you register for and we meet during that class time only. The rehearsals are held from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, Tuesday through Friday, and on Saturday morning. Percussionists and Color Guard members also meet on Mondays from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.

Do I have to be a music major to get into the band? No. In fact, the majority of students in the marching band are not music majors.

Will I receive a scholarship? Every member of the Jaguar Marching Band receives a scholarship, averaging about $1500 and up per year ($3000 for out-of-state students). Also, members of the Jaguar Marching Band who successfully audition for and participate in a spring concert ensemble (band an/or orchestra) earn an extra $300 scholarship per semester per ensemble for this musical achievement. For more information, read more about joining the Marching Band.

I qualify for a "Bright Futures" scholarship in Florida. Will the Jaguar Marching Band honor this scholarship? Yes! If you qualify for "Bright Futures" scholarships in Florida, then we will take your academic scholarship for your ACT score and add a marching band scholarship that will match or beat "Bright Futures."

Do I have to be in concert band to be in marching band? No. You can be in marching band or concert band, or both. If you participate in a spring concert ensemble however, you do not have to re-audition for the marching band (winds only). Also, members of the Jaguar Marching Band who successfully audition for and participate in a spring concert ensemble (band an/or orchestra) earn an extra $300 scholarship per semester per ensemble for this musical achievement. For more information, read more about joining the Marching Band.

Is marching band a class? Yes. All members register for MUO130, a one-credit hour course. This credit may be used as an elective in any curriculum.

How hard is it to get into the marching band? Not as hard as you think! We like to think it's just hard enough. Check it out...

I live a long way away. Can I do a remote audition? If you're a wind player, then yes. Wind playing students who live a prohibitive distance from campus can audition via live video chat (Skype, Gmail chat, FaceBook chat, etc.). To schedule a remote audition, call (251) 460-6136.

Do the freshman go through hazing? No! Absolutely not! We value all of our members because they are the future leaders of our band.

I have a class or lab that is conflicting with Marching Band. Can I have any conflicts? A limited number of conflicts are allowable in certain cases, especially for once-per-week afternoon labs. Just contact the Music Office at (251) 460-6136 or e-mail Dr. Miller at rwmiller@jaguar1.usouthal.edu. He can let you know if your amount of conflict is acceptable. We can also get a conflict override so that you can register for the classes. Marching Band students, especially freshmen and sophomores, should not register for night classes.

Will I march with a school-owned instrument, or do I need to provide my own? Every member of the band marches with a school-owned instrument.

Will I be guaranteed a spot marching on the field? What about alternates? Every member of the Jaguar Marching Band will march either halftime or pregame at every game, provided they remain in good standing with the band. Decisions on who marches from week-to-week are based on absences, memorization, and overall ability to march and play. Members not marching at a particular game will “shadow” another marcher as an alternate during rehearsal and will march that person’s spot in case he or she cannot march that Saturday. All members play in the stands and dress out in uniform. There are NO permanent alternates.

What trips am I required to attend? You must attend any and all scheduled performances. All costs of trips are paid by the University.

Is band camp required? Can I miss part of it? Band Camp is required. Excused conflicts with band camp are limited and rare, and they must be worked out with the Associate Director of Bands months in advance. Conflicts that are not excusable include vacations.

I'm in a Drum and Bugle Corps. Can I miss part of band camp if I'm at Finals? You can miss part of band camp as long as you are performing at finals. Once your drum corps has been eliminated from competition, you must immediately depart and report for Jaguar Marching Band camp. Do not stay remain there as a spectator. Keep in mind that you may be an alternate until you have caught up on our fundamentals and drill for that season.

What will we get accomplished during Band Camp? Before the end of camp, the band will learn an entire new halftime show, as well as the pregame show. Progress will be made on learning a second halftime show as well. Also, school songs and stands tunes will be learned to play at the football games.

How do I condition myself in preparation for Band Camp? You will spend the majority of each day during band camp outside in the hot sun, running or marching around, and playing your horn. It is very important that all members get their bodies acclimated to being active outdoors before showing up to Band Camp. Running or jogging outside in the heat is a great way to prepare oneself for long days of Band Camp. Also, get into playing shape by practicing your instrument before camp begins.

I will be living in a Residence Hall. What are my living arrangements for the week of Band Camp? The band will cover the costs of your early move-in to University housing (this does not include The Grove apartments).

I will be living in an apartment or some other residence. What are my living arrangements for the week of Band Camp? Most realtors do not have set move-in dates before Band Camp. You will need to talk to the realtor and ask them if there is any way you can move in before the week begins. If you cannot arrange this, get in contact with the Music Department at (251) 460-6136. We will have your section leader help you arrange a place to stay until you can move into your apartment.