University of Kansas Marching Jayhawks

• Prerequisites
• What will I need?
• School-owned Instruments
• Attendance
• Registration
• Summer Drumline Camp
• Summer Colorguard Camp
• Frequently Asked Questions

Forms

• Member Information Form
• Summer Band Expense Form
• Early Dorm Move-in Form

• Athletic Band Scholarship Application

Prerequisites

Membership in the Marching Jayhawks is open to all students enrolled at the University of Kansas. Non-majors are welcome and encouraged to join. Music Education majors are required to have two semesters of marching band completed before graduation.

The minimum prerequisite for membership in the Marching Jayhawks is two years prior marching experience (high school marching band, college marching band, or drum & bugle corps). Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Percussion: Percussionists audition for a position on snare, quint-toms, bass drum, or cymbals. Individuals with prior cymbal experience that play an instrument not used in marching band (ie. oboe, bassoon, etc.) may also audition. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Color Guard: Music majors will march with the instrument listed as their primary instrument with the School of Music. Exceptions will be made in the case of oboe, bassoon, or other non-marching instruments. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Auditions: There are no auditions for acceptance in the Marching Jayhawks. You need only meet the prerequisite for acceptance and enroll in the course (Band 210).

NOTE: Percussion will audition for parts during summer percussion camp. Clarinets, trumpets, and trombones will audition for parts during Band Camp Registration.

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What Will I Need?

For music rehearsals:

Your instrument (The following instruments are available through the School of Music: Sousaphone, Marching Baritone, Marching Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Piccolo, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, and Percussion)
Brass: mouthpiece, valve oil, slide grease, etc.
Woodwinds: reeds, cork grease, etc.
Percussion: money for mallets (Snare = $9; Quints = $20; Bass Drum = $23)
Color guard: a practice pole (aluminum, 6 feet long, 1 inch diameter)
Flip Folder (you will need lots of pages)
Pencil

For marching rehearsals:

Clothing appropriate for outdoor rehearsals (i.e. t-shirt and shorts or athletic pants)
Tennis shoes (no other type of shoes will be allowed)
Hat (optional)
Sunglasses (optional)
Sunscreen (optional)
All items listed under for playing rehearsals above

For game day rehearsals:

Woodwind, Brass, Percussion

Adidas polo (provided)
Black slacks
Black MTX marching shoes

Color Guard

Dance Shoes (purchase information on the Summer Band Expense Form)
Warm-up Suit (ordered during summer band)

For performances:

Woodwind, Brass, Percussion

Marching Jayhawk Uniform (provided)
Official Marching Jayhawk T-Shirt (supplied by the band) - to be worn under the uniform
Black MTX marching shoes (purchase information on the Summer Band Expense Form)
Black socks

Color Guard

Colorguard Uniform (provided)
Dance Shoes (purchase information on the Summer Band Expense Form)

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School-owned Instruments

School-owned instruments are available for all instruments other than clarinet. Rental insurance is required on all school-owned instruments and the premium is due on the 1st day of summer band. The student is financially responsible for all equipment once issued. Any costs for damages or repairs beyond normal wear will be charged to the student. All equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and polished before check-in. Upon return, an additional charge of $25 will be assessed for instruments that have not been cleaned or polished. All equipment is listed property of the state and must be returned upon request.

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Attendance

Members are expected to be at all rehearsals, sectionals, and performances. Students will not be excused to attend other classes, work, teach lessons, or for any other personal business. Commitment to the ensemble is crucial for success of the Marching Jayhawks. Individual requests submited 2 weeks in advance will be examined on a case by case basis.

Regular rehearsals:

Monday - Wednesday - Friday

3:45 p.m. 5:45 p.m.

Further information regarding absence and grading procedures is detailed in the Marching Jayhawk Handbook (distributed during registration).

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Registration

Registration is held on the first day of summer band. The following is required at registration:

Member Information Form (submit and/or confirm member information)
Summer Band Expense Form and Fees (submit and/or confirm order information)
Uniform Measurement
Music Check-out (each member must present their flip folder or purchase one during registration)
Equipment check-out (for students using school-owned equipment)
Locker check-out (required if using school equipment)
Part auditions (for clarinet, trumpet, and trombone only)

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Summer Drumline Camp

Please reserve the following dates for clinic/audition dates.

Click HERE for drumline audition music.

Percussion Pre-Camp Dates

April 12 , 2008 (Veteran Members Only)

April 19, 2008

April 26, 2008

Percussion Audition Camp #1

May 30 - June 1, 2008

Percussion Audition Camp #2

August 11 - August 15, 2008

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Summer Colorguard Camp

Colorguard Preliminary Clinics / Camps

If you missed the camps, don't worry -- it's not too late to be in the colorguard. Contact Ann Duncan at the email below and she'll get you the information you will need for the fall.

April 27, 2008 and May 4, 2008

1:00pm - 5:00pm

Murphy Hall, room 130

Colorguard tryouts are open to all KU students and future students. For more information and to register, contact Ann Duncan at JayhawkGuard@aol.com.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Must I attend summer band rehearsals?
Attendance is required at all summer band rehearsals. Any absence must be approved in advance by the Director of Athletic Bands.

How many rehearsals and/or performances can I miss?
Being a part of the ensemble requires a firm commitment to attend ALL rehearsals, sectionals, and performances. In certain circumstances, you may be excused from a limited number of rehearsals depending on the nature of the absense. Grading and Attendance procedures are detailed in the Marching Jayhawk Handbook (distributed during registration). No member will be allowed to miss a performance due to work, another class, etc.

Are sectionals required?
Percussion and Color Guard have a mandatory 1.5 hour sectional each week. Although infrequent, other sections may have a sectional on occasion, if necessary.

Where do I go on registration day?
Registration will begin on the first day of summer band in Murphy Hall, Room 130, at 10:00 a.m. If you will be living in the dorms, dorm check-in times will be posted and discussed at registration.

I’m a non-major, but I'm not sure if I'm as good as a music major. Can I still join?
Definitely! Over 70% of the marching band is non-music majors. We are looking for students who like to play, like to march, will work hard, and like to have fun!

What will happen during summer band?
Our goals during summer band include mastery of the KU marching style and learning the Pre-Game show, our 1st Half-Time show, and most of the stand-charts.

Is college marching band similar to high school marching band?
Not really. Our sole purpose is to support athletics and entertain the crowd at events. For this reason, we generally perform three or four different shows during the season. Also, most of our members have between 4-7 years of experience in marching band, so we are able to learn quickly and perform at a high level.

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