Join the Sound of the Wildcats, the largest and most visible student experience at the University of Kentucky! Entertaining thousands of fans with our spirited, high-energy performances, the Wildcat Marching Band enjoys a national reputation as one of the finest collegiate marching bands in the country. The Band performs as a full band at all home games, provides a pep band for every away game in the conference, and travels with the full band to at least one away game each year. The marching band also travels as a full ensemble to all post season events. Any UK and BCTC student is eligible to participate, regardless of major.
Wildcat Marching Band
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Wildcat Marching Band
The Sound of the Wildcats, the largest and most visible student experience at the University of Kentucky! Entertaining thousands of fans with our spirited, high-energy performances, the Wildcat Marching Band enjoys a national reputation as one of the finest collegiate marching bands in the country. The Band performs as a full band at all home games, provides a pep band for every away game in the conference, and travels with the full band to at least one away game each year. The marching band also travels as a full ensemble to all post season events. Any UK, BCTC, or Transylvania University student is eligible to participate, regardless of major.
Rehearsals:
The Wildcat Marching Band is a one credit class (MUC 190 Section 401). This credit may be used as an elective in any degree program. All music ed majors are expected to register for two years as part of their music degree. The band rehearses MWF from 5:30 - 7:30 and before game days. Rehearsals take place on Shively field, which is a turf field. These rehearsals provide an enjoyable change of pace from rigorous academic classes.
Performances:
The WMB performs at all home and away football games including bowl games. Typically, we will travel with a pep band sized travel band to all away games and one or two full band travel events. All performances are communicated in advance. The band plays an important role in the game day environment and festivities, performances include CATWALK, tailgate pep rallies, a pre-game show, all four quarters in the stands, and halftime show. The drumline and majorettes even perform a postgame performance outside the stadium!
Early Week:
Early Week is the WMB's band camp. Camp is held a week before classes begin. At camp you will receive training in the marching and playing style of the WMB. In addition to regular rehearsals, there are lots of social activities planned throughout the week to give members a chance to relax, become acclimated to campus, and meet their new band family. Members who are assigned to a residence hall for the academic year can move into their room during this period at no charge! The WMB will also provide all meals to members during camp. Below is a brief overview of move in dates.
Instruments and Equipment:
The WMB provides instruments, equipment, and uniforms to all members of the program, at no cost! Members will be assigned their performance equipment and uniforms upon arriving to campus. Please keep practicing on your own equipment this summer!
The University of Kentucky is a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Visit the official UK Athletics website
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UK Pep Band
The UK Pep Band plays an integral role at all home games at Rupp Arena and Memorial Coliseum where we have the best seats in the house! At home in the eRUPPtion Zone, the Pep Band performs regularly for over 24,000 Wildcat Fans as part of the most intimidating home court in college basketball. The Pep Band performs at all men’s and women’s home basketball games, as well as home volleyball and gymnastics meets. The pep band is comprised of Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone, Drumset, Bass Drum, and Electric Bass.
All members of the WMB who are currently enrolled are eligible to participate in the UK Pep Band in the Fall and the Spring semesters. Percussionist may audition for a drumset or bass drum position. Selection for travel pep band is at the discretion of the director and is based upon instrumentation needs, audition, seniority, attendance, and participation during the regular season. Band placement auditions will be held at the beginning of the semester. All members are welcomed to participate. There are scholarship opportunities to all those who join pep band.
Shayna Stahl
Drumline
While any individual is allowed to participate in the WMB drumline, there are auditions for placement on each instrument. In addition to halftime performances and stand tunes, the drumline will also learn extra candences and grooves. In order to help this process, we ask that you prepare as much during the summer months as possible. It is important that all players come prepared with a solid foundation of skills. In preparation for the audition, please work on all basic concepts including timing, technique, sound quality, relaxation, marking time, reading skills, etc.
Contact the Drumline instructor for any questions.
Download Our Drumline Practice Packets
Contact the Drumline Graduate Assistant, Jeremiah Ingram for any questions.
Majorettes & Color Guard
Sweetheart Majorettes
As the first female members to join the University of Kentucky Wildcat Marching Band in 1960, the UK Feature Twirlers and Sweetheart Majorette Twirling line is rich in tradition, excellence, and is comprised of national champion twirlers from all over the United States.
Taking pride in being one of the best twirling schools in the SEC, the UK Twirling program is a part of the Wildcat Marching Band and representing twirling in front of 70,000+ CATS fans at Kroger Field. The Feature Twirlers and Sweetheart Majorettes perform at both pregame and half time, in the stands at football games, in addition to special events alongside the Wildcat Marching Band.
If you are interested in twirling at the University of Kentucky but not ready to commit, please contact the Director of Athletic Bands for more information.
*Auditions are held in April. Information will be posted soon!
Color Guard
As a member of the Color Guard and Wildcat Marching Band, you are a visible representative of not only the athletic teams we support, but also the University and state of Kentucky. The Color Guard performs at all home football games at Kroger Field for both pregame and half time, in the stands at football games, in addition to various special events alongside the Wildcat Marching Band. The rewards from having this type of experience cannot be measured. Imagine the excitement of performing at major SEC events: performing at some of the largest nationally televised games, and traveling to various venues around the country. Earning a place on the Color Guard at UK will allow you to make friendships that last a lifetime and create some of the most memorable experiences of your life!
Expectations
Please wear form fitting athletic clothing and athletic shoes. No Jewelry, jeans, or sandals.
- Spinning/Tossing Skills To Demonstrate
Basic Choreography Elements:
- Carving / Cones
- Variety of hand exchanges (drop spin grab, back hand, money hand grab, etc)
- Basic Pop Toss
- Standard Double
- Parallel Toss
- Basic 45 Toss
- Flat Toss
Sample Combinations:
- "Where is my phone"
- Flapjack (1, 2)
- Swiffer Sweeper (1, 2)
- The Wildcat
- What to Bring
- A Form fitting athletic clothing and tennis shoes/socks
- A non-returnable photo of yourself
- A water bottle
- Your own rifle if you wish to audition on rifle
Alumni Band
The University of Kentucky Alumni Band Association, is one of the largest and most active alumni associations on campus. Its board of directors meets monthly to plan activities for the membership and to work with the UK Band to continue to grow and improve upon the great traditions of the UK Bands. In addition, the University of Kentucky Alumni Band organizes an annual reunion where they perform with the Wildcat Marching Band at a home football game. Finally, each year the Alumni Band plays at all Men's and Women's basketball games over the Holiday Break.
For more information, see the UK Aumni Band page.
- Auditions & Scholarships
PLACEMENT AUDITIONS:
There are no auditions for Winds, Brass, Percussion, or Color Guard members to join the WMB. However, there are part placements. If you are a drumline member, please see the information below. Winds and Brass you will receive music during the summer.
BAND SCHOLARSHIPS:
The University of Kentucky Bands offers generous support to outstanding students who demonstrate the potential for superior musical performance as well as outstanding academic achievement. Performance-based scholarships are competitive and are determined through auditions with the members of the UK Woodwind, Brass and Percussion Faculty. These scholarships are awarded to music majors and minors. The WMB does offer returning members scholarships after each year completed in the program.
SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS:
To schedule an audition, or for more information about UK Band scholarships, please call the UK Band Office, (859) 257-2263.
- Student Leadership, Honors, & Organizations
LEADERSHIP:
Drum Majors and Student Leadership staff are selected each spring from the ranks of the Wildcat Marching Band. Selection is based on experience, rehearsal discipline, conducting ability, and leadership potential. Freshmen and new members of the marching band are eligible to try out for these positions after completing one year in the WMB.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS:
The honorary band sorority, Tau Beta Sigma, and band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, are very active throughout the year providing special service to the band and supporting its needs.
- Rehearsals
The Wildcat Marching Band is a one credit class (MUC 190 Section 401). This credit may be used as an elective in any degree program. All music ed majors are expected to register for two years as part of their music degree. The band rehearses MWF from 5:30 - 7:30 and before game days. Rehearsals take place on Shively field, which is a turf field. These rehearsals provide an enjoyable change of pace from rigorous academic classes.
- Early Week
Early Week is the WMB's band camp. Camp is held a week before classes begin. At camp you will receive training in the marching and playing style of the WMB. In addition to regular rehearsals, there are lots of social activities planned throughout the week to give members a chance to relax, become acclimated to campus, and meet their new band family. Members who are assigned to a residence hall for the academic year can move into their room during this period at no charge! The WMB will also provide all meals to members during camp. Below is a brief overview of move in dates.
- Travel
The band provides a pep band for every away game in the SEC and travels with the full band to one or two away games each year. There is NO cost for members to travel. All Lodging, transportation and meals are provided by the University of Kentucky.
- Cost
The University of Kentucky provides financial support to participating band members. There are gear and shoe fees which vary each year but are typically under $200. Band members do not need to fundraise!
What's next?
Fill out our interest form to receive more information about our programs!
Ready to commit? Complete our commitment form to secure your place in the 2024-2025 band!
