My Experience in UM Marching Band

My name is Madison Knapp, and I am a student at the University of Montana. I have been in band since middle school and have found that the best people in my life were in band with me. One of my goals when looking at different schools was to join their marching band, and the marching band at UM caught my eye.

Joining the UM Marching Band and learning to play piccolo in my section was one of the best decisions I made during my freshman year. It served as a great transition between high school and college. Here is my experience in the Grizzly Marching Band and Pep Band and why I think others should join.

Why I Joined Grizzly Marching Band

I joined the Grizzly Marching Band because I met the best and most important people in my life through Band. I was also attracted to the band's ability to continue music education and practice without being a music major. It’s open to all majors and first-year students, allowing me to continue being in the band without the obligation or necessity of music classes needed for a music major.

What it Means to be in Marching Band

Being in the UM marching band means learning quickly and practicing outside of rehearsals for the best overall sound. Band camp is a week-long, 12-hour day process to learn the basics of marching and calls from the drum majors. This can be daunting but is much easier with friends by your side.

One thing I love about UM’s marching band is how beginner-friendly it is. Students can sign up for marching band with little to no experience with music and be fully accepted into the program. Learning a new instrument will take more work outside of band rehearsals, but it’s worth it.

The Game Day Experience

Game day starts about five hours before kickoff, depending on your section. Wearing the uniform and setting up for a morning rehearsal before the game is first, and in the colder months, can be quite painful but memorable, to say the least. After rehearsal, we perform at Griz Walk, where the football players walk to the stadium.

We then have lunch at the music building and get face-painted for the game. Then we move past the stadium and set up for the parade for the pre-game show. We perform the pre-game show with the M formation and the game starts. The halftime show is performed, and stand tunes are played until the game’s end.

Perks of Joining Marching Band

There are many perks to joining the UM marching band. The main one is a community you can rely on and have fun with before the semester starts. Additionally, because of the week of band camp, students get to move in early and avoid the move-in day rush. You also get to attend every Grizzly Football home game.

Students also get a scholarship that increases if they stay in Grizzly Marching Band for over a year. There is also an end-of-season band banquet with good food and prizes based on your band participation. If the football team does well, the band also gets to travel with them and perform at their games.

I was lucky enough to join the UM Football Team during my freshman year to travel to Frisco, Texas, for the National Championships. We fundraised for the event and got to do more than perform at the football game. We went to the Dallas Zoo, Buc-ee’s country store, and performed at the pep rally the night before the game. This experience was truly a great opportunity.

How to Join Marching Band

You can find information on how to join the UM marching band here and can email the director of the UM marching band to show your interest. After your first application, you can sign up for the Marching Band class during registration. This will then be added to your schedule, and you can earn credit.

Request Grizzly Marching Band Information

Why I Joined Pep Band

The difference between Grizzly Marching Band and Pep Band is that pep band starts in November and consists of playing indoors at basketball games, while marching band starts in August and is only for football games. The UM Pep Band is less of a commitment and has optional attendance for all games, whereas the UM Marching Band requires attendance for all games.

Pep band is a smaller band that plays for the UM men's and women's basketball teams. It has fewer instruments and includes a drum kit and a bass guitar. Pep band is open to anyone and is a great chance to earn some money while playing tunes that might not be in the marching band song lineup.

I joined the UM Pep Band because it offered the opportunity to learn a new instrument. Since pep band doesn’t have flute or piccolo, I picked up the alto saxophone with my friend from marching band, and we learned it together. Pep band is a great chance to learn a new instrument if you have previous music experience.

What it Means to be in Pep Band

Pep games usually happen 1-3 times a week and last about 2 hours per game. Attendance is optional for each game, which consequently has a mixed group of instruments. Pep band doesn’t have uniforms besides simple UM attire or anything maroon-colored. Occasional items are given to the band, such as t-shirts or hats, as a free game item, including the potential free frosty from the local Wendy’s after the game.

How Band Made Me More School Spirited

Being in Grizzly Marching Band means representing your school and getting students and the crowd excited for the game. This has made me more school-spirited and excited to participate in school events because I know I’ll get to do these things with people I’m close to. There is no better experience than yelling “Go Griz!” with a fellow section mate.

The marching band and pep band also collaborate closely with the UM dance team and UM cheer team. Together we create the “Spirit Squad” and hype up the crowd to cheer on our fellow grizzlies on the field. Being a big part of the student experience at football and basketball games is a wonderful experience.

Band as a Community

Band is a great place for people of all backgrounds and experiences to come together and learn to play music together. Since I picked up the flute in 6th grade, I was told that the band room is welcoming. That sentiment has rung true through my experience with seven different band directors in 8 years.

Why Supporting the Arts is Important

As the arts continue to struggle against other programs, it’s essential that we feel supported as a community. We bring so much energy and spirit to the game day experience and use appreciation as fuel for our performance. The arts are where talented and welcoming students support each other and hope to continue that legacy.

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Madison Knapp is a Freshman at the University of Montana who majors in Creative Writing and minors in French. She is an out-of-state student from Bellingham, Washington, and has thoroughly enjoyed her time at UM. She is also a DHC student and a proud member of the Grizzly Marching Band.