Football season will march to a new beat at SBU beginning in Fall 2023.
The Division of the Arts has announced that it will be forming a Bearcat Marching Band that will begin performing during the upcoming fall football season. It will also march in the Homecoming parade and participate in other campus and community events.
The marching band will continue the proud history of musical, athletic and academic excellence at SBU by uniting all three areas within its ranks. The band will be directed by Dr. John Wilson, assistant professor and director of instrumental studies, who brings more than 30 years of award-winning marching band experience to SBU.
Students will not be required to be music majors in order to participate. The band will be open to any students who want to try out and meet the requirements. Instruments and other roles that are available include:
- Drum line: Snare drums, bass drums, tenors and cymbals are needed. Students do not need prior experience in band to play bass drum and cymbals, just the ability to read music and keep a beat. Snares and tenors should have previous experience.
- Horn line: Students with the ability to play woodwind or brass instruments are welcome to participate.
- Color guard: These students will spin flags, sabres or rifles. Experience is not required in order to audition.
Current students who are interested are invited to an informational meeting at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 5, in the Meyer Recital Hall in Casebolt. Prospective students who are interested can ask for more information through their admissions counselor. Any interested students can contact Dr. Wilson for more details at jwwilson@sbuniv.edu.
* Posted on May 3, 2023