Frequently Asked Questions – Marching Band

Welcome! Simply complete the Join Form, and you will then be directed to register for Marching Band on My BU Student. Course registration numbers can be found here. If you have any questions, we’re here for you – just email bands@bu.edu. We’ll see you at Band Camp!

The BU Marching Band performs as a featured collegiate exhibition group at regional high school band competitions, on campus, in our community, and at the Collegiate Marching Band Festival in Allentown, PA on Fall Tour.

There is typically only one Marching Band performance per weekend, leaving you time to study, work, or sleep.

The BU Marching Band has also performed:

• In the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
• In the movie “Mystic River” (2003)
• On stage with the band “Foster The People” (2012)
• In the movie “Black Mass” (2015)
• On stage with the band “Dropkick Murphys” (2016)
• At Symphony Hall with the Boston Pops (2017, 2018)

The Marching Band performs a different field show each year, designed to be fun for our students to perform and super-entertaining for crowds to watch! Seeing as we only perform for band crowds (no football), we try to have fun with it. Past shows have included:

• “From BU to Broadway” (Modern Broadway hits)
• “Superhero Showdown” (The music of Marvel Studios vs DC Comics)
• “Take Me Out to Fenway” (The music of Fenway Park)
• “Press Start” (Music from popular video games)
• “Agents of Espionage” (Music from classic spy movies)
• “Sounds of Our City” (The music of Boston from Revolutionary War to present)

Band Camp typically occurs in the last week of August, and is held on campus. Students get to move into their dorm early (you can get the “good side” of the room!). All meals are provided during Band Camp. There are three rehearsal blocks per day, with plenty of free time to relax, socialize, and get to know campus. Visit the Band Camp page for the latest info.

Since most of the show is learned during Band Camp, attendance is required except in extreme cases, which is rare (however, we can work with certain Orientation conflicts – just email the Staff ASAP). Band camp is also when you get to meet the people in your section and across the Band and bond as a group. Students get to move into their dorm early (you can get the “good side” of the room!), and all meals are provided during Band Camp. There are three rehearsal blocks per day, with plenty of free time to relax, socialize, and get to know campus. Visit the Band Camp page for the latest info.

Being present at Band Camp is necessary for all Marching Band members, since that’s when most of the show is learned. Additionally, band members get to know each other and their sections during this time. If FYSOP conflicts with Band Camp, it is recommended that you attend Band Camp. There are similarities in the take-aways from both organizations, and the Marching Band fee is significantly lower.

No. But some sections will hear you play just to determine what part you will be on.

Yes. Simply register as a “non-degree student,” and you’ll receive a BU ID card for access to the Band Room, etc. See this page for more info. Contact bands@bu.edu with questions.

No experience necessary! We’ll teach you how to march if needed. Every year, we have students who have never marched, and within a week or two, you’d never know it.

Yes. You can sign-out an instrument, as well as a locker for it, in the Band Room (300W Babcock St.) upon joining Marching Band.

No. Even though we do have music majors in Marching Band, we are open to students of every major and every ability. Our students come from every college at BU and we even have grad students and students from local universities that do not have Marching Band at their school.

Yes. Many students in Marching Band also participate in Pep Band, Concert Band, Winter Drumline, Winter Guard, or Jazz Ensembles, all of which occur on days separate from Marching Band. You can read about our other ensembles on this website and use the Join Form to join.

Yes. You can opt to receive a Hub unit in the area of “Intellectual Toolkit: Teamwork/Collaboration” by enrolling in a Hub Ensemble for both semesters within an academic year. Fall Hub Ensembles include Marching Band and Pep Band I. Spring Hub Ensembles include Pep Band II, Winter Guard, and Winter Drumline. See “Can I get credit for Marching Band?” directly below for pertinent info.

Yes. There are three different sections you can choose from:

• 1-credit: CFA MU 191 A1
• *Hub credit (Intellectual Toolkit: Teamwork/Collaboration): CFA MU 185 A1
  • *must also take a Spring Hub Ensemble to earn Hub unit at end of year:
    Spring Hub Ensembles: Pep Band II, Winter Guard, Winter Drumline
• 0-credit (only available to students at/above their credit limit): CFA MU 091 A1

Marching Band students only pay for what they need. Total fees vary by section and new/veteran status, and typically range from $35-$120 (Color Guard fee may be slightly more due to costumes that change with the show). Some materials are “one-time purchases” that can be used for future seasons. Financial assistance is available to those in need – contact bands@bu.edu. The Marching Band fee page can be found here.

We are here and ready to answer any questions you may have!

• Director: Aaron Goldberg (agold@bu.edu)
• Assistant Director, and Percussion Director: Sharif Mamoun (smamoun@bu.edu)
• A full list of Staff, Drum Majors, and Section Leaders can be found here.

Welcome! Simply complete the Join Form, and you will then be directed to register for Marching Band on StudentLink. Course registration numbers can be found here. We’ll see you at Band Camp!