BAND PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Become a Part of Athletic Bands at Otterbein College!

Membership in athletic bands at Otterbein College is open to Otterbein students who perform on a brass, woodwind or percussion instrument, as well as visual performers including color guard and twirlers. Student musicians are welcome to join the Cardinal Marching Band, Basketball Pep Band, or both.

Students who commit to perform with the Cardinal Marching Band for four years and the Basketball Pep Band for two years are eligible for an Athletic Bands Participation Award in the amount of $1000 per year/$4000 over four years. More information about the Athletic Bands Participation Award.

How do I join?
Easy! Just complete these simple steps:

Complete a prospective member interest form. This will get you on our mailing list and allow us to contact you about auditions and other information.
Fill out and return the Band Application and Intent Form that will be mailed to you after you complete step 1. All members must complete this form including returning members. We write drill using these forms; if you change your mind please be sure to contact us and withdraw your name.
Register for MUSC 453 - be sure to choose the correct section, either 1 credit or zero credit. All members must register for this course; be sure to inform your academic advisor when you sign up for classes. New students must be especially careful to remember this course during summer registration sessions.
Are you interested in receiving financial aid for your athletic bands participation? Click here for more information on the Athletic Bands Participation Award.
Auditions will take place April 4, 2009. Woodwind and brass players only audition if they are interested in the Athletic Bands Participation Award. Percussionists and Visual Performers MUST audition, whether or not they are interested in the Athletic Bands Participation Award. Audition information will be posted here in late February.
That's it! We'll be sending detailed band camp information in the last week of May. See you at camp in Fall '09!

Frequently Asked Questions . . .

No thanks, I've "been there and done that."
OK, but the college marching band experience is very different from high school band. The Cardinal Marching Band is not a competitive band, but combines the best elements of traditional college band and corps-style drill and music at halftime. Our pre-game is a complete eight minute show in the traditional college band style. Good musicianship, performance excellence and fun are our major goals. We are a major source of crowd spirit at games and pride ourselves on a close relationship with Otterbein Athletics.

Won't it take up too much time?
No, we have carefully planned rehearsals with your busy college schedule in mind. The Cardinal Band rehearses on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:05 until 5:50 (only 3.5 hours during the week) and on Saturdays before home games.

Is it a class? Will it take up room in my schedule?
Cardinal Marching Band and Basketball Pep Band are college classes: MUSC 453. You can take it for 1 credit if you have room or for zero credit depending on the demands of your schedule.

What if I have a course conflict, like a lab or honors seminar?
Members are allowed an hour of course conflict each week. We understand that sometimes labs and degree requirements get in the way. These are approved on an individual basis in consultation with your professors.

I probably won't even get through the audition.
The audition for wind players in the Cardinal Marching Band is for the Athletic Bands Participation Award and for placement only. Whether it has been a few months or a few years since you last played your instrument, it is never too late to pick it up again. We want members who want to be members; desire is more important than virtuoso performance. Percussionists and Visual Performers audition at the same time to determine basic skills and placement within the section.

This one time, at band camp . . .
The Cardinal Marching Band does have a one-week camp that takes place prior to New Student Weekend and the start of Fall Quarter. Visual Performers and Percussion come in a few days earlier due to the nature of their sections. Students are allowed to move into dorms early and all meals are provided. There is a band fee to cover meals, t-shirts and other supplies. Our camp schedule is relaxed, with periods of focused work and long breaks to rest and get to know each other.

For questions about Athletic Bands at Otterbein and the Athletic Bands Participation Award:

Professor Michael Yonchak
Visiting Assistant Director of Band, Wind and Percussion Activities
Director of Athletic Bands
myonchak@otterbein.edu

Become a Part of Athletic Bands at Otterbein College!

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