FAQ

 

Yes! Any full-time student at the University of Arkansas may participate in the bands. Students from almost every department and degree plan in the university are band members.  There are music majors in the Razorback Marching Band, Hogwild Band, and concert bands, but most of the students in the UARK Bands are not music majors. 

As a general rule, the band does not have a hard deadline to apply. Generally speaking, however, we would recommend signing up for an audition date at least one week in advance. After all audition days have been held, auditions to the band program are handled on a case by case basis (i.e. determined by instrumentation needs, extenuating circumstances, etc.). 

For students granted a virtual audition, we recommend submitting materials by March 15th each year for full consideration. Again, after that time, submissions will be handled on a case by case basis.  

The Razorback Marching Band rehearses Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-5:45 pm and Friday from 3:05 - 5:00 pm. Members of the Razorback Marching Band will also participate in various pep rallies throughout the fall and are expected to attend all postseason travel. Generally speaking, most members of the RMB find the time commitment to be significantly less than that of a competitive high school band.

It is not uncommon for a student to have a required course that conflicts with our marching band rehearsal time. The directors work with students throughout the year, allowing them to communicate their course conflicts. All course conflicts are handled on an individual basis.

The University of Arkansas Bands Scholarship Program is generously supported by university administration and friends of the UARK Bands. All band students who are eligible have received some type of financial aid since fall 2013.

Students in the Razorback Marching Band will have minimal costs for participation in the band beyond the cost of the credit hour to enroll in the class. Members will have additional costs for items such as the purchase of marching shoes and ear protection. These costs are generally around $100. As the costs of these items change from year to year, a student will be given a detailed list of costs once they have been accepted into the band. Students will also be responsible for their own meals during Early Week. 

 

 

The 2024 Razorback Marching Band will begin with one week of rehearsals that will start on Friday August 9th, 2024. Classes for the Fall semester begin on Monday August 19, 2024. Students that live on campus will be allowed to move in to their assigned rooms early.

Yes, away trips are one of the major benefits of membership in the Razorback Marching Band. The full RMB typically travels to two games each season in Little Rock and to Arlington, TX for an overnight trip for the annual “Southwest Classic” game against Texas A&M in AT&T Stadium. We also send small pep bands (optional for all members) to every away SEC game. All travel to away games and bowl games – including transportation, meals and lodging – is expense-paid for members of the RMB. Most recently, the RMB performed at the 2022 AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TN, the 2021 Outback Bowl in Tampa, FL, the 2015 AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, TN, the 2014 Texas Bowl in NRG Stadium in Houston, TX, and the 2017 Belk Bowl in Charlotte, NC.

Students that play clarinet, alto saxophone, and trumpet in the Razorback Marching Band are expected to use their own instruments. The Razorback Marching Band will provide piccolos, mellophones, trombones, marching baritones, and tubas as well as percussion equipment for members. The University of Arkansas Bands does own a limited inventory of clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, and trombones. These instruments are available on a first-come-first-serve basis at no cost to the student. 

Auditions for the 2024-2025 academic year will begin in January 2024 . Prospective students may schedule an audition for acceptance into the band program and a scholarship by registering for an audition. If there are further questions, contact the UARK Band office at (479) 575-4100 or by email at bands@uark.edu. 

Typically, we hold check-in for audition days between 9:45-10:00am. We begin with a group meeting with the staff of the program, which usually takes about 30 minutes. After the meeting students are given their warm-up room and specific audition time, which will normally fall sometime between 10:30 and 12:30. University of Arkansas Bands staff will be available at all times to provide direction if needed.

While we prefer you make an on campus visit for your audition by selecting one of our audition days, we understand that financial and scheduling concerns can necessitate a virtual audition. When filling out the audition registration, you will have the option to request a virtual audition. 

On-Campus Auditions for Woodwind and Brass instrumentalists:

Woodwind and Brass auditions should consist of 5-7 minutes of total prepared music, including two contrasting excerpts of the student's choosing. Selections should be solo repertoire or etudes of an all-region/all-state etude type. Students will also be expected to perform major scales and sight reading. Students should bring 2 copies of the music they are performing for the adjudicators.

On-Campus Auditions for Percussionists:

Students should be prepared to play two separate auditions. The preliminary audition will take place during the scheduled non-music major audition dates. For the preliminary audition students should prepare either their All-State or All-Region audition material or appropriate solo literature that will showcase their technical and musical skills. For the preliminary audition, it is highly encouraged that students perform on as many of the instruments listed below as possible. This gives you the highest scholarship consideration. 

The Preliminary Audition will consist of scales, rudiments and sight-reading, and prepared solos on all of the following instruments: Concert Snare Drum, Marimba (four mallet solos encouraged but not required), and Timpani.

The Second Round Audition will be held in April 2024 on the University of Arkansas Campus in Fayetteville. Following the Preliminary Audition students will receive information directing them to audition materials for the Second Round Audition.

Virtual Auditions for Woodwind and Brass instrumentalists:

Woodwind and Brass auditions should consist of 5-7 minutes of total prepared music, including two contrasting excerpts of the student's choosing. Selections should be solo repertoire or etudes of an all-region/all-state etude type. Students should also include the chromatic scale through the full range of your instrument (any rhythm, scale pattern, or articulation). Virtual auditions should be in the form of an unlisted YouTube link.

Virtual Auditions for Percussionists:

Students should be prepared to play two separate auditions. The preliminary audition will be in the form of an unlisted YouTube link and should be submitted by Friday March 15th, 2024. For the preliminary audition students should prepare either their All-State or All-Region audition material or appropriate solo literature that will showcase their technical and musical skills. For the preliminary audition, it is highly encouraged that students perform on as many of the instruments listed below as possible. This gives you the highest scholarship consideration. 

The Preliminary Audition will consist of scales, rudiments and sight-reading, and prepared solos on all of the following instruments: Concert Snare Drum, Marimba (four mallet solos encouraged but not required), and Timpani. Virtual auditions should be in the form of an unlisted YouTube link.

The Second Round Audition will be held in April 2024 on the University of Arkansas Campus in Fayetteville and will consist of placement into the Razorback Drumline. Following the Preliminary Audition students will receive information directing them to audition materials for the Second Round Audition. All auditioning students should plan to be on campus for the Second Round Audition.

If there are additional questions, please call the band office at 479-575-4100 or email us at bands@uark.edu