JMB Frequently Asked Questions

It's easy to audition for the Jaguar Marching Band! Check out the audition requirements page for all the information you need to successfully audition for the JMB!

Not as hard as you think! Make sure to be practicing consistently, prepare for the audition requirements and do your best.  You can't make it if you don't try out so make sure to sign up for your audition!

If you're a brass or woodwind player, yes you can!  Brass and woodwind students who live a prohibitive distance from campus can audition via live video chat (Zoom) or submit a JMB video audition.  

Drumline and Colorguard auditions are in-person group auditions so you should plan to make a trip to campus for those auditions.  If you have a specific conflict with JDL or Colorguard auditions please send the Director of the Jaguar Marching Band an email detailing your conflict and we will advise you on possible further steps.

Every member of the band marches with a high quality University-owned instrument!  We want the JMB to look and sound their best by marching matching sets of instruments for each section. We also do not want you to not have to march your personal instrument on the field!

Yes. All members register for MUO 130, a one-credit hour course.  Juniors and seniors should register for MUO430.  This credit may be used as an elective in any curriculum. 

No! In fact, it probably takes much less time than your high school marching band. Marching band is a class that you register for and we meet during that class time only. Winds, brass, and Jaguar Drumline rehearse Tuesday through Friday from 4:15pm to 5:45pm. The Jaguar Drumline has an additional sectional on Monday afternoons from 4:15pm to 5:45pm. Colorguard members have sectionals on Mondays and are with the entire band Wednesday through Friday from 4:15pm to 5:45pm.

No! In fact, the majority of students in the marching band (over 80 percent) are not music majors! Nearly every undergraduate major at USA is represented in the membership of the JMB.

Every member of the Jaguar Marching Band receives a scholarship! Scholarships for marching band members start at $2000 per year and are based on your audition. In addition, all marching band scholarships are stackable with other institutional awards!

All JMB scholarships are considered to be institutional aid. Institutional aid can be used to pay all fees assessed by the University of South Alabama (tuition, fees, on-campus housing, meal plans through USA Dining, and on-campus bookstore charges). 

You can calculate your tuition and fees with the USA Net Price Calculator. Keep in mind that your marching band scholarship, as well as any other awards and aid you receive, will reduce this overall amount. Residents of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Florida, and George, Greene, Harrison, Jackson, Perry and Stone counties in Mississippi are considered “Service Area Residents” and will not be charged out-of-state fees. 

Any out-of-state student who receives a freshman or transfer admissions scholarship will have their out-state-tuition waived to the in-state-tuition rate. It's a great deal for those looking at marching in the JMB who live across the country!  More information can be found here.

Nope!

Students at USA can choose to live on or off-campus, regardless of their classification (freshman, sophomore, etc.).  However, if you plan on living on campus, we encourage you to apply early!  Also, all dorm early move-in fees are paid by the JMB for pre-season band camp.

Band Camp is required. Excused conflicts with Band Camp are limited and rare, and they must be worked out with the Director of Athletic Bands months in advance. Conflicts that are not excusable include vacations.  Please communicate with your family that band camp is a required for all members!

The JMB has had many members who have participated in both World-Class and Open-Class corps.  We are proud of all these members and their achievements!

You can miss part of band camp as long as you are performing at finals. Once your drum corps has been eliminated from competition, you must immediately depart and report for Jaguar Marching Band camp. Keep in mind that you may be an alternate until you have caught up on our fundamentals and drill for that season.

Before the end of camp, the JMB will learn the first halftime show, as well as the pregame show. Progress will be made on learning a second halftime show as well. Also, school songs and stands tunes will be learned to play at football games and other performances.  Band camp is also an opportunity to bond with your fellow section mates and band members!

Go Outside.  You will spend the morning and evening outside learning drill and music for halftime and pregame.  During the middle of the day we rehearse indoors both in sectionals and in a full band setting.

It is important to get yourself acclimated to being active outdoors before showing up to Band Camp. Walking, running, or jogging outside is a great way to prepare yourself for Band Camp. Get in playing shape by practicing your instrument before camp begins!

The JMB will cover the costs of your early move-in to USA Housing (this does not include private residences off-campus).  We will also schedule your early arrival directly with USA Housing so you don't have do anything extra.  You will move into your assigned dorm for the school year on your arrival date for band camp (a big bonus)!

Most realtors do not have set move-in dates before Band Camp. You will need to talk to the realtor and ask them if there is any way you can move in before the week begins. If you cannot arrange this, please get in contact with the Jaguar Marching Band at (251) 460-6136. We will work to have your section leader help you arrange a place to stay until you can move into your apartment.
 

A limited number of conflicts are allowable in certain cases. If you have a class conflict please fill out the JMB Class Conflict Form to get approval for your class conflict from the directors.  JMB students should avoid registering for classes that conflict with the 4:15-5:45PM rehearsal time unless the course is A) only offered during those times and B) is required for your major field.

JMB students are not required to be in a concert band during the fall semester with a band scholarship. Freshman and sophomores are required to participate in a spring concert band (Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, University Band) or Jazz Ensemble.  Freshman and sophomore Colorguard members are required to be in either colorguard techniques or winterguard in the spring semester.

Some scholarships (music major and minor scholarships, specific USA Bands scholarships) require concert band participation every semester.  Please refer to your scholarship requirements for specific information!

Every member of the Jaguar Marching Band will march either halftime or pregame at every game, provided they remain in good standing with the band and have passed off their music.

Decisions on who marches from week-to-week are based on absences, music/drill/routine memorization, and overall ability to march and play. Members not marching at a particular game will serve as an alternate for another marcher and will march that person’s spot in case he or she cannot march that Saturday. All members play in the stands and dress out in uniform. There are NO permanent alternates.

 

JMB members are required to attend all scheduled performances. All costs of trips are paid by the University and in addition, trips are an important part of the collegiate band experience!