Make Friends that Last a Lifetime
We're growing the UAlbany Marching Great Danes and the UAlbany Spirit Band — and we need you!
Besides the music and the performances, this is a front-row seat to all sorts of Division I athletic competitions and the opportunity to travel with the band for various tournaments. We've gone to Syracuse, Philadelphia, Connecticut, Ohio, Delaware, Florida, Texas and Louisiana in the past 15 years.
The band is open to all UAlbany students, even if you've never played an instrument before. Sign up!
Eligibility
The band is open to all undergraduate and graduate students — even if you've never played an instrument or participated in a marching band before.
Major/Minor: Most of our musicians are not music majors or minors. Our students’ majors represent a diverse range of academic programs and interests.
Experience: Many of our students came from high schools that didn’t have a marching band program at all. Others have only ever marched in parades. No experience is necessary.
Auditions: There is no audition to join, and we do not cut anyone. We may ask you to play a brief audition only to determine part assignments.
Instruments: You don’t need to play or own an instrument to join. Students who bring their own instrument are more likely to perform but we are happy to help you learn an instrument.
We own several instruments that we loan to students and, if you want to play an instrument we don’t own, we have a partnership with a local music store to rent instruments at a low flat rate.
You may also be interested in colorguard, which does not involve instruments.
Schedule
Our members include students with challenging majors, students with double majors and Honors College students — all of whom successfully balance their coursework, participation in the band and free time.
If you’re concerned about the time commitment, we’re happy to connect you with a current student so you can talk about the schedule. Please email us at [email protected] to get that conversation started.
Marching Band
Band members who live on campus will move into their residence halls and apartments on August 13, 2023, for band camp before the start of the Fall 2023 semester.
We will rehearse during Welcome Week, with our first performance of the year at Convocation.
The marching band will practice from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays during the Fall 2023 semester. We perform at all home football games and, on game days, rehearse that morning.
Spirit Band
The spirit band practices once a week, beginning in November and running through the spring semester. The spirit band performs at one or two basketball games per week.
Scholarships & Class Credit
Scholarship: Incoming first year and transfer students who plan to participate in the band are eligible to apply for the Great Dane Marching Band Competitive Award.
Class Credit: A one-credit course is offered each semester and required for most students.
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Marching Band: A one-credit Marching Band course (AMUS 181) is offered each fall semester. The class meets from 6 to 7:20 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays in Casey Stadium.
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Spirit Band: A one-credit Pep Band course (AMUS 183) is offered each spring semester. The class meets from 8:30 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays in the Physical Education Building.
Scholarship recipients and students seeking credit are required to register for this course. Students who want to attend all rehearsals and games are strongly encouraged to register as well.
Exceptions can and will be made for students who want to participate but already have a full schedule. Please email [email protected] if you cannot register for the course.
How to Join
sign-up
Sign Up for Fall 2023
Join the Marching Great Danes for our Fall 2023 season! Fill out our Fall 2023 Commitment Form to sign up and we’ll make sure you get everything you need to know leading up to our move in for band camp on August 13, 2023.
Request an Information Packet
Interested but not ready to sign up? Complete our Interest Form to receive a information packet for prospective members.
The packet includes information about scholarship opportunities, a tentative band camp schedule and a sneak peak of what our band has in store for next semester.