The Blugold Marching Band is one of the nation’s premiere marching bands representing the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The band features 400+ performers who present a ten-minute field show of popular music and stage-shows that audiences of all ages can enjoy. The band is known for its musical and visual power, high energy, and fan-friendly performances.

The band represents ~5% of students on the UWEC campus. While many are pursuing Music majors & minors, 80% of the band’s members are studying another subject on campus.

Every year the Blugold Marching Band performs for thousands of spectators at multiple contest exhibitions around the upper Midwest. The Blugold Marching Band has performed in exhibition 15+ at Youth in Music (Minneapolis) and six times as the guest exhibition band for Bands of America (Indianapolis and St. Louis). The band performs each year at Music Along the Chippewa and has performed many times at Chicago area shows including Lincoln Way, Naperville, Greater Chicago, and Chicagoland as well as Milwaukee area shows such as Greendale, Waukesha West, and Marchfest plus Twin Cities shows such as Irondale and District 833. BMB has performed for three NFL halftimes, twice for the Green Bay Packers and once for the Minnesota Vikings.

Every ‘other’ Winter Term, the band performs on a multi-week International Tour via a cruise ship. Typically, 75%+ of the band chooses to participate.

Time Commitment (see Calendar for details)

Tuesday - Friday — Class at 4:30 - 5:45p

Weekends — Football Games and Regional Exhibitions (September through mid-November)

University Enrollment

All BMB performers must be enrolled at UW-Eau Claire. If you have been accepted in the BMB through the application system you may register for MUSI 183 on CampS at summer orientation or during the on-campus registration period.

Member Fees

The cost of Blugold Marching Band membership is relatively low. For students who live on campus, University Housing charges $3 per night for early move-in (approximately four nights during camp). New members will need a BMB shirt, marching shoes and other supplies at a total cost of about ~$60. 

The only other fee is the cost of the annual overnight regional tour. This travel fee, in the amount of ~$50 is payable at camp registration. (Pricing will be confirmed via email prior to Band Camp Registration)

Band Camp

There is a training camp prior to the beginning of the fall semester. Attendance is required for all members.  Dorms open early for Blugold Marching Band members. You may move directly into your permanent housing assignments and miss the rush of regular move-in day. 

Instruments

The Music Department provides drums, color guard and dancer equipment / poms, sousaphones, baritones, mellophones, and a limited number of tenor saxes and piccolos at no charge. These instruments are available for check-out during camp registration.

SECTIONS

Admission to the Blugold Marching Band is competitive and is limited by our inventory of uniforms and equipment. The band does not have an alternate system, therefore every person who is accepted will have a spot in the show.

Auditions are only required for the drumline, twirler, color guard, and dance team (April-May, see Calendar). Freshmen winds are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.

This chart below represents the optimal number of members in each section. The standard application deadline is July 15 but the application window may remain open through the Summer Orientation period if positions are still available. This instrumentation represents the target band size. Section quantities may be adjusted according to talent pool.

We are looking for someone to head up our sideline electronics team. If you know a student with significant experience setting up sound systems (wireless mics, keyboards, speakers), please let them know this opportunity is available.

Drum Majors, Drumline, Twirler, Dancers, and Color Guard

Auditions for Drum Line, Drum Major, and Color Guard will be held through video submissions. Colorguard auditions are coordinated by Ty Zastrow (tyzastrow12@gmail.com). Drum Line auditions are coordinated by Dr. Jeffrey Crowell (croweljw@uwec.edu).

Dancer auditions are being coordinated by the dance captains. Please submit your application to obtain information.

Prospective twirlers should contact the Dr. Kara Metzger (metzgekl@uwec.edu).

Additional Considerations

A critical component of Blugold Marching Band membership is your ability to commit to the entire performance schedule. Absence from a performance is not allowed except under extreme circumstances and by advance consent of the directors. Please look at our Performance Calendar before applying.

Music Education Majors: Marching band is a required course in your degree program. You must, however, submit this application to request a spot. You will not have a spot if your section is already full when you apply.