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What
kind of music do you play?
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The
bands at Rutgers play all kinds of music, including popular, rock,
classical and school fanfares. Each season, the marching band performs
3-4 different halftime field shows. Some recent shows have included
Chicago, Stevie Wonder, Classic Rock, American Salute, Holsts
Planets, and a special Halloween show.
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| Do
you have to audition to be in the band? |
There
is no audition. New students who participated in their high school
marching band program are welcome in the marching band program. At
the beginning of band camp all brass players are auditioned for part
placement.
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| Are
you required to be a music major?
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The
Rutgers Bands program includes students from a wide range of academic
majors and Rutgers affiliated colleges. A majority of the students
in the bands program come from majors other than music including physics,
engineering, animal science, philosophy and English. Music education
majors are encouraged to participate in the program in order to understand
field directing techniques.
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Do
I have to play a particular instrument?
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The
band program currently uses the following instrumentation: Piccolo,
Bb Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Mellophone, Trumpet,
Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone, andBattery Percussion. Students who
do not play one of these instruments are encouraged to choose another
instrument which may be provided for them.
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| Are
there requirements to be in the Color Guard?
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The
RU Marching Band marches flags, rifles, and has feature twirlers.
Prior experience is preferred but not required.
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| When
are the rehearsals?
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The
Marching Band rehearses three times a week, Monday, Wednesday and
Friday from 4:30-6:30 on our practice field on the Livingston Campus.
Additional rehearsals occur prior to each football game on the Astroturf
field next to the Rutgers Stadium.
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| Can
I receive academic credit?
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All
students must enroll in marching band in the fall and may also enroll
in pep band in the spring semester for one academic credit each towards
their graduation requirements.
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| How
can I benefit by being in the Band program? |
There
are so many reasons to be a part of the bands program. The best way
to find out is to ask a current member. Some of the "perks"
include meeting great friends from all over the university, getting
a guest ticket to each football game, showing off in front of 30,000
fans, having the opportunity to travel with the pep band to NCAA and
Big East championships, performing for high school bands, being televised
on ESPN. Who knows, maybe we'll even get to go to a bowl game!
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| How
many shows does the Marching Band perform? |
The
Marching Band performs 3-4 half-time shows per season, and the traditional
pre-game show. Each season the Marching Band performs at every home
football game and at least one away game. At each game the band performs
the pre-game show, a half-time show, and a post-game show. The band
also travels to numerous high school exhibitions.
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| Where
does the band perform? |
The
Rutgers Marching Band performs most often in Rutgers Football stadium
in Piscataway, New Jersey. On occasion, the band travels to Giants
Stadium and performs there for Jets games and high school exhibitions.
The Rutgers Pep Band performs in the Louis Brown Athletic Center on
Livingston Campus at every Mens and Womens Basketball
game.
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| Do
I need to use my own instrument? |
The
university has a limited number of instruments available for students.
There is a nominal semester usage fee. All sousaphones, baritones,
mellophones and percussion use university instruments.
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| What
does the Marching Band do in the off season? |
There
is hardly ever an off season for the bands. In the fall, the marching
band performs for football. The pep band plays at all university basketball,
soccer and lacrosse games. Our students also involved in the University
Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Campus Band, Jazz Ensemble, Philharmonia
Orchestra, Queens Chorale, Voorhees Choir, and Glee Club. There is
plenty to do!
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