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1.
Who can be a member of the VSU Blazin’ Brigade Marching Band?
Membership in the marching band is open to all students enrolled at
Valdosta
State
University
with previous high school
band experience. Auditions for part
placement will occur during the first day of band camp.
The only exception to this is for the color guard.
Due to the demands of this unit, an audition for a position on the color
guard squad is required. If you are
interested in being a part of the VSU Color Guard, please fill-out the form
located here.
2.
How do I audition/become a member of the Blazin’ Brigade?
All
students who want to participate in the marching band should fill-out the online
interest form located on this site. All
students MUST sign-up for marching band (MUSC 3880) when registering for
classes. This is a one hour credit
course and for most students this will count as an elective hour.
3.
When does the Blazin’ Brigade Marching Band rehearse?
Once the semester begins:
Monday
4:00 – 5:50
Wednesday
4:00 – 5:50
Friday
4:00 – 5:50
Game
days (time TBA – We will have a ‘dress rehearsal’ on Saturdays prior to
the games. The times of these
rehearsals will depend on the time of kick-off.)
This
schedule will continue throughout the Fall semester until the end of the
football season.
4.
What costs will be associated with the band?
Members will be required to pay the band fee of $40.00.
This will be due at the beginning of band camp.
Students will also be responsible for providing their own black marching
band shoes and white gloves. These
will be available for purchase when you arrive for camp.
5.
Are scholarships/stipends available to members of the marching band?
Each member of the Blazin’ Brigade will receive a stipend for their
participation in the marching band. The
amounts of the stipends are as follows:
1st
year - $75
2nd
year - $150
3rd
year - $225
4th
year (or more) - $300
Section
leaders also receive an additional $50. The
stipends are paid at the end of the football season (including playoffs).
Status
6.
Are instruments provided?
The following instruments are provided:
Piccolos
– a limited number
Tenor
Saxes – a limited number
Mellophones
Baritones
Sousaphones
Percussion
All
Guard Equipment
7.
When does the band perform?
The Blazin’ Brigade will perform at all home football games and usually
travels to one away game per year. We will also play for any home playoff games
and travel to the National Championship game when involved.
The band will also perform at approximately two high school marching
festivals/competitions as an exhibition group; and the VSU homecoming parade.
Schedule
8.
Will the music be memorized?
All music that the band will perform on the field will be memorized.
Stands music will be performed using a flip-folder for the music.
9.
What auxiliary units are included in the Blazin’ Brigade?
We utilize a color guard unit that will perform primarily with a flag, but is
occasionally asked to perform with other types of equipment.
If you are interested in being a part of the VSU Color Guard, please
fill-out the form located on the color guard portion of this web site.
We have an audition/clinic that all interested students must attend. Information
about this can also be found at the color guard portion of our site.
Color guard
10.
If I am unable to attend the color guard audition, will a video tape suffice?
Clearly, attending the audition is preferred but in the event no other option is
available you may submit a video tape. The tape must include: all basic flag
skills (including various tosses) and one minute of work you have prepared to
taped music. Please feel comfortable including pieces from your past
performances, along with a short interview about yourself. Send your video to
the following address:
VSU – Dept. of Music
Attn: Eric Bradshaw
1500 North Patterson St
Valdosta
,
GA
31698
11.
Is it too late to join?
No – If you are interested in being a part of the Blazin’ Brigade, fill-out
the online Band Information Form
12.
Is there a band camp?
Yes – Camp always occurs the week prior to classes
starting. For the dates and times, please see the band camp
schedule posted on this site. See the Band
Camp Schedule
13.
How do I audition for a position on the drumline?
The audition for a place on the drumline will occur during the
percussion weekend camp / audition held during the Summer prior to the
start of band camp. All students that want to
be a part of the drumline will have a ‘spot.’
The audition will allow us to place you on the instrument that will best
serve the marching band. Information
regarding the audition for instrument placement will be sent to you during the
summer when you identify yourself as a percussionist via the online Band Information Form
14.
When will I be able to move into my dorm room?
Although camp starts prior to the dorms being open, you WILL be able to move
into your room when you arrive for camp. We
work with the VSU housing and arrange for you to move into your room a couple of
days early.
15.
What if I have any other questions?
Please feel free to contact Mr. Bradshaw (Director, Blazin’ Brigade Marching
Band) via email at eebradsh@valdosta.edu
or by phone at 229/249-4965.
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