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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be a music major to be in the marching band?
Do you have to audition to be in the marching band?
What if I’ve never marched before, or only parade marched?
Are Minnesota State University-Moorhead and Concordia College students able to be in marching band?
How much time does marching band take?
What kind of music does the Gold Star Marching Band play?
What if I don’t play an instrument, but still want to be in marching band?
What fees are associated with the marching band?
Am I compensated for the time I put in?
Why should I be in the marching band?
I am going to be in band! Now what do I do?
Do I have to be a music major to be in the marching band?
No. All majors are welcome in the band. In fact most of the band is made up of non-music majors.
Do you have to audition to be in the marching band?
The Drumline auditions for part placement on snares, tenors, basses, and cymbals, otherwise no audition is required for band members to be in the marching band.
What if I’ve never marched before, or only parade marched?
Not a big deal. There are many people in the band who have never stepped foot on a football field. We all meet a week before school starts so everyone can learn the basics of field marching. We also do a little parade marching, but everyone learns how.
Are Minnesota State University-Moorhead and Concordia College students able to be in marching band?
Yes. We welcome any students from MSUM and Concordia, since they do not have marching bands. In past years many band members have come from these colleges. Students are able to get credit through the Tri-College program.
How much time does marching band take?
We meet three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 4:00 to 5:45 during the semester. Before school starts, we meet approximately a week before to learn the basics, which as a bonus, lets you move in before the mad rush of everyone else arrives. We play every home football game, usually one away game, the FCS playoff games, plus a handful of other performances. At the end of the season, we play a concert, and hold a banquet for the exiting seniors.
What if I don’t play an instrument, but still want to be in marching band?
There are a limited number of options for you. The Gold Star Marching Band has a color guard, open to anyone, who use flags and rifle. They are willing to teach any person, regardless if they have no experience. In recent years the band has also had baton twirlers. The GSMB has a front line (pit). Any person wanting to play piano, marimba, vibraphone, electric bass, or other non-marching equipment can still be a part of the band.
What kind of music does the Gold Star Marching Band play?
The Gold Star Marching Band usually plays anywhere from three to four shows a season
and range in a variety from southern rock, latin, and movie themes, to shows such as Guitar Hero and Journey. The 2008 and 2009 seasons featured the local funk band Post-Traumatic
Funk Syndrome with the Gold Star Marching Band in a super bowl styled
halftime show.
What fees are associated with marching band?
There is a yearly band fee, which goes towards the cleaning of the uniforms and other miscellaneous items. First time band members are to pay for their shoes and a band t-shirt or polo.
Am I compensated for the time I put in?
A stipend is given for every year you are in band. The financial award was enacted in for the 2007 season, and is expected to grow with the band.
Why should I be in marching band?
Marching band is a very fun experience. The Gold Star Marching Band is one of the largest student organizations on campus, but still maintains a "family" atmosphere with opportunities to make friendships and memories that last a lifetime.
Here are just some of the benefits of being in marching band : you meet nearly 200 people before school even starts, you get to move in to the dorms before the mad rush of everyone else moving in, you are a part of the NDSU football games and perform in front of nearly 20,000 fans a game. There usually is an away game to go to as a band, you are compensated with a stipend for your time, but most of all any band member will tell you that it is fun!
I am going to be in band! Now what do I do?
Ready to join the Pride of North Dakota? Great! If you're just curious about band and have some questions fill out the Information Form in the Join the Band page under Contact Us.
If you are a 'for sure' incoming band member,all you have to do is 1. Register for MUSC 111 2. Fill out the First Year Information Formin the members section if this is your first year in the band, or fill out the Vet Information Form if your are returning to band, and 3. Come ready in august for band camp! If you have questions about camp, visit the band camp page in the members section.