When will band camp take place this year?

The dates for the 2011 KUMU Band Camp are:

Drum Majors - Monday, August 15 - Saturday, August 27

BEC, Student Leadership, & Fraternity/Sorority Members - Wednesday, August 17 - Saturday, August 27

Drumline & Color Guard Members - Wednesday, August 17 - Saturday, August 27

Remaining Winds & Brass - Friday, August 19 - Saturday, August 27

The good news is, you will move into your permanent academic housing on Friday, August 19! More detailed reporting times will be available in the July newsletter. Camp concludes on Saturday, August 27 with an afternoon exhibition in Golden Bear Stadium. The exhibition is free and open to the public, please ask your parents and friends to attend. Light refreshments are served at the conclusion of the exhibition.

What is the time commitment for the Marching Unit?

The time commitment consists of 4 1/2 hours of rehearsal during the week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:00-4:30 p.m.). Attendance at all rehearsals is mandatory. Please keep this in mind when registering for classes. Rehearsals are scheduled so that conflicts with other classes are kept to a minimum. The Marching Unit will perform at all home football games, selected away games, and several exhibitions each season. Drumline, Color Guard, and all winds schedule additional sectionals. While in the Marching Unit, many members also perform in the Concert Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, and various smaller ensembles as well as keeping a full academic load. There is time to do it all.

Can non-music majors be in the bands?

Absolutely!  ALL the bands at Kutztown University are open to ALL KU students.  Around 75% of KUMU is made up of non-music majors.  Music majors are required to be in one large ensemble each semester and the Marching Unit can count towards this requirement.

How do I enroll in the bands?

Register for the appropriate band at registration or during add and drop. If you enroll for credit, you will receive a grade for "1" hour of credit. Many students participate in the Marching Unit in the fall semester and Symphonic Band and/or Wind Ensemble in the spring semester. The Department of Music is committed to providing a musical opportunity for every interested KU student.

How do I audition for the Marching Unit?

Winds & Brass:  Auditions for the 2011 KU Marching Unit are for part placement only, NOT for membership. All Winds and Brass members are asked to contact Professor Neuenschwander to arrange for an audition for part placement. This should be finished prior to band camp. Inclusion in the Marching Unit is dependent upon attendance at the weeklong summer band camp, which begins on August 19, 2011. Everyone present at band camp will take part in the Marching Unit show. Please fill out this form to receive information on Band Camp. Contact KUMU as soon as possible to be placed on our mailing list for all future information you will need! Band Camp concludes with an exhibition in the stadium. Parents and friends are welcome to attend.

Can I take private lessons?
Music majors and non-music majors may sign up for private lessons with our applied music faculty. Sign up sheets are in the Music Department Office in Old Main 114.

What costs are involved with the Marching Band?

Currently, each member pays a fee based on your year in the organization:

First Year - $120

Returning Member - $90 (only if you have KUMU shorts and ball cap from previous years)

This fee pays for camp housing, camp food, KUMU T-Shirt (required), KUMU shorts (required), a KUMU ball cap (required), and select meals on trips. Another required purchase (only if you DO NOT currently own a pair of BLACK marching shoes) is marching shoes, which cost about $40.

How do I get a scholarship?

Auditions for scholarships occur in December, January and February for the following school year. Auditions are open to majors and non-majors. To audition, each person must prepare two works of contrasting styles, (ie. a lyrical section vs. a technical section), play scales and possibly sight-read. If you are interested, contact the music department at (610) 683-4550 ASAP for a suitable audition time. You will be notified of an award in early spring. Information on music scholarships can be found at: http://www.kutztown.edu/acad/music/scholarships.shtml

Can I rent an instrument?

If an instrument is available to rent from KUMU, the cost to rent a KUMU instrument for the marching season is $35.00. Instruments used in the Marching Unit include piccolo, clarinet, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone, trumpet, mellophone, trombone, baritone, sousaphone, and percussion.

What time does the marching band meet?

Currently, KUMU rehearses on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.  In addition, we also rehearse on game days.  Rehearsal times for game days are announced during regular weekly rehearsals.

Does the Marching Unit have a Members Section?

No. Please return to our homepage for frequent updates.

Who is the director?

Prof. Daniel Neuenschwander is the Director of the Kutztown University Marching Unit.

Are there any band fraternities and sororities?

Yes there are 4.  For more information on these fraternities & sororities, please visit their national organization homepages.

Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.

KU has recently started both a colony of Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota.

How do I get to the Band Room?

The band room is located in Old Main 31, “C” Wing.  Download a KU Campus Map here. Old Main 31 is building number 31 on the campus map.