JOIN THE BAND

Visit our audition page for more information!

No! All incoming and current students at all U-M campuses can audition for the MMB.

Absolutely! Students from or applying to all U-M campuses (Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint) are welcome to audition for and join the MMB.

No! Students with and without marching experience are welcome and encouraged to audition.

We teach our marching styles and technique to all students at the beginning of each season during Band Week. Many students with limited or no prior marching band experience have eventually earned leadership positions within our ensemble!

The MMB rehearses every day (Monday through Thursday) from 4:45 PM - 6:15 PM on Elbel Field. Elbel Field rehearsals are open to the public for viewing, bleacher seating is available. Friday rehearsals are held in Michigan Stadium and are closed to the public unless otherwise stated.

Weekly sectionals will be scheduled outside of class time by your section leader.

Rehearsals are also held on Saturdays before home football games and other performances.

All MMB members attend all home football games. The performance block will travel to Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and any bowl or championship games.

Absolutely! The MMB is composed of the leaders and best, with students from nearly every academic discipline and major. Being a member of the MMB helps you to meet many of your classmates before the semester begins and to participate in study groups with other members of the ensemble.

MMB members also average a higher GPA in the fall semester during marching season due to the diligent time management skills you learn! The average GPA of Band #126 was 3.59 in the Fall 2023 semester.

The MMB also counts toward the requirements of a Music Minor, which many of our students pursue! You can find out more about the music minor here: https://smtd.umich.edu/degree/minor-in-music/

Yes, all MMB members attend all home football games, even if they are not in that week‘s performance block. The performance block will travel to Michigan State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and any bowl or championship games.

Yes! We travel to away football games at Michigan State, Ohio State, and Notre Dame, depending on the football schedule. We also travel with the football team for any postseason games (championships, bowl games, playoffs).

• Drum Major

• Twirlers

• Flags

• Piccolos

• Clarinets

• Alto Saxophones

• Tenor Saxophones

• Trumpets

• Horns

• Trombones

• Bass Trombones

• Euphoniums

• Tubas

• Snare Drums

• Tenor Drums

• Bass Drums

• Cymbals

No! Thanks to the support of our generous donors, when you arrive in Ann Arbor for Band Week, we will provide you with an instrument that you will use for the season. We have matching sets of each instrument to ensure that each section looks and sounds the same.

All students are required to enroll in Marching Band (ENS 348.001) for two credits.

Marching Band is a course offered through the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, but students from all schools/colleges at Michigan are eligible to enroll.

The MMB also counts toward the requirements of a Music Minor, which many of our students pursue! You can find out more about the music minor here: https://smtd.umich.edu/degree/minor-in-music/

All members of the Marching Band are assessed a $125.00 lab fee which is charged to their student account. This fee covers items that are required for members: including white gloves, spats, Michigan Band t-shirts and shorts, and uniform dry cleanings.

There is a limited amount of financial aid available for students who have been a member of the Marching Band for at least one year. Students need to apply and be able to demonstrate financial need.

That’s great, we hope you do join us after graduation! You can sign up as a prospective member now to receive information about the MMB to help you plan for the future: https://myumi.ch/ZD6nb

MMB students are not able to move into the dorms until TBD, August 2024. Band Week starts August 13, 2024. Students who aren’t local to Ann Arbor will have hotel accommodations until the dorms open for move-in. Please bring all of your dorm items with you on August 16; they will be kept in a secure location and distributed to your residence hall on move-in day.

Admitted students will receive this information in more detail during a Zoom meeting in July after auditions close.

The name Band Week has persisted over the years, despite our pre-season rehearsal schedule lasting longer than a week! “Band Fortnight” doesn’t have the same ring to it.

We welcome all hair types and colors! If your hairstyle is in line with our hair policy when in uniform, you’re good to go! There is no restriction regarding color, length, or hair type. Hijabs and other hair coverings are also allowed to be worn in uniform.