UDMB Audition Information

School of Music

Marching Band Audition Information

The UDMB averages 300–340 members. This includes all wind players, percussion and auxiliary members. General breakdowns of each area are approximately 220–240 brass/woodwind members, 34–38 percussionists, 38–42 color guard members and 3–5 twirlers.

Students audition into the band the summer before their first season. Auditions for membership in all sections of the UDMB are required. Members must be enrolled as a full–student at UD or as a full–time student at the Associate in Arts programs at the UD branch campuses.

Is band considered a course/class?
Yes. All members of the UDMB, upon acceptance to the program following a successful audition, must register for MUSC 470, section 010 (brass, woodwinds, guard, twirlers) or MUSC 470, section 011 (percussion). The course is worth one academic credit.

Check back for 2025 audition information at the end of the season, but for an idea of expectations, you can view the current season's audition information below.

Brass & Woodwind

220-240 members of the band are brass and woodwind players. Students audition into the band the summer before their first season. Once accepted as a brass or woodwind player, that member does not have to reaudition for their spot.*

The UDMB fields the following brass and woodwind sections:

Piccolo / Flute
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Trumpet
Mellophone
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba

*If a student wishes to change instruments they do have to reaudition for acceptance.

2025 Audition Dates and Information

Saturday, June 7 or Sunday, June 8

Procedure:

Download the audition materials below in order to prepare.
Sign up to attend one of the Audition Days listed below using this form.

Audition Day Events/Expectations:

New members must audition for acceptance to the UDMB Brass or Woodwind sections. The audition day consists of 3 workshop-type sessions: your music audition, a marching basics and visual session, and a get to know you session with UDMB Student Staff.

When:

Saturday, June 7 Check in: 10am Audition & Workshop: 10:30am - 3pm
Sunday, June 8 Check in: 10am Audition & Workshop: 10:30 am - 3pm

Where:

Check in is at the Amy E. duPont Music Building
Parking is available in the Center For The Arts garage (we cannot validate parking).

*If you cannot attend either date due to graduation, prom, travel distance is prohibitive, please email Professor Johnson about submitting a video audition.

Audition Materials

All wind players will be asked to play the UD Fight Song and the UD Alma Mater (no Tower Chimes, begin at measure 35)

DOWNLOADABLE MUSIC PARTS AND AUDIO FILES

Percussion

Providing the fuel for the marching band is the UD Drumline and Front Ensemble.

The percussion sections consist of a large corps–sized battery:

7–9 snares
4–5 tenors
6 bass
12–14 cymbals

and a full front ensemble:

14 percussion (keyboards plus more)
bass guitar
synthesizer
sound system manager.

Mini Camps & Auditions for 2025 Season

One mini-camp and in person auditions will be held on campus in Puglisi Orchestra Hall, located in the Center for the Arts.

Sunday July 13: Audition Camp (10:00am - 6:00pm)
Sunday July 27: Callback Audition & Rehearsal (10:00am - 6:00pm)

Visit the UDMB Percussion Website for specific information as well as all audition materials.

If you cannot attend the audition date, contact Professor Ancona for alternative information.

Colorguard

The UDMB's Colorguard consists of 36 – 42 members utilizing flags, rifles and sabers, as well as non-traditional equipment. Auditions are required each year for acceptance to the program.

The UDCG is part of the marching band — it is not considered a separate entity. This means that colorguard members register for Marching Band as a class, receive 1 credit for the course, and also receive a financial aid scholarship (pending budgetary approval each year).

See below for all the specifics about our audition process. We want YOU to have the BEST guard experience of your life with the UDCG and that includes just a bit of extra preparation so you can stay ahead of the rest of the band!

2025 Audition Information

Date: Saturday, May 10

Time: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Location: Puglisi Orchestra Hall in the Roselle Center for the Arts, Newark Campus

If you're planning to audition, please fill out this 2025 UDMB Color Guard Interest Form.

While we strongly encourage in-person attendance, we can accept video auditions for those who cannot make the audition date. Please email Raul Reyes at rmreyes@udel.edu if you need to submit a virtual audition.

Summer Rehearsal Mini-Camps

After successful completion of the audition process, members of the UDMB Colorguard are asked to attend two summer rehearsal mini-camps. These two short days will help to establish each performer's fundamental skills, both with and without equipment, as well as a head start on learning some of the work for the fall shows.

Saturday, June 28
Saturday, July 12

Both rehearsals will be held in the Puglisi Orchestra Hall in the Roselle Center for the Arts, Newark Campus, and will run from 10:00am - 4:00pm, with a break for lunch. Lunch is not provided so please bring it with you or plan to eat out.