Prospective Members
Thinking about joining the marching band? We're the Pride of the Midwest, and we'd love to have you as a member. There's a lot of great perks about joining the band, including:
Make Nearly 200 New Friends
Before the first day of school, you will have made dozens of new friends from all different academic departments. You and your music-loving friends will make lifelong memories together.
An All-star Staff
Our marching band instructors are the best around! Our staff will do what it takes to help you achieve.
Travel and Performances
The band performs at all home football games, one away game, a local parade, and at a season-finale indoor concert. The band also travels to post-season games. Recent trips have included the Independence Bowl and the Humanitarian Bowl - and travel expenses were paid!
Huskie Stadium seats 30,000 people and many of the games are televised. The band has also played for sold-out crowds at Soldier Field and at bowl games.
Academic Credit
For each semester that you participate, you receive an academic credit.
Dress Sharp
Beautiful, modern FJM uniforms are provided for you. Members must only purchase a hat, gloves and marching shoes.
Instruments
Play the sousaphones, baritone, mellophones or percussion instruments? We provide them for you!
Auditions
Submit a YouTube video link through the online written scholarship application on MyScholarships.
The submission must contain Hail to the Huskies and the Huskie Fight Song, available in our media library. Please also include the first three segments of "Flexibility for Band", also found in the media library. Finally, include an etude or solo excerpt that demonstrates your technical capability. Your etude or solo should last no more than two minutes. All-district, All-state, or NIU School of Music audition etudes are appropriate for this portion of the audition.
All woodwinds and brass are eligible for the scholarship. Auditions to win a spot in the drill are held during band camp to maintain the high-performance standards of the band. Normally, only a handful of students are placed as alternates during the band camp auditions. These alternates will attend all rehearsals and performances and have the opportunity to re-audition for a spot on the field throughout the season.
Audition information is available on the drumline page.
Audition information is available on the color guard page.
Audition information is available on the Silverette page.
Rehearsal Schedule
Marching band meets three to four evenings per week. Rehearsals occur in the evenings to avoid most class conflicts and are productive, efficient and fun.
Band Camp
Band Camp is a week-long intensive training camp required of all members. Band camp occurs the week before the start of fall semester, and because of band camp, you get to move in early! Learn more about band camp.