ETSU’s Marching Bucs offer an array of opportunities for students to become involved in the university’s community and make lifelong friends. The marching band at the university is open to all students and there are no auditions. It is taught as a regular class.
“College marching band is completely unlike anything that they did in high school, in terms of things that we try to accomplish, at the high school level there are competitions and we don’t have that at the college level,” said Paul Hinman, director of bands. “Our main responsibility is to serve as a public relations tool and an entertainment vehicle.”
Band camp is the week before classes begin and the meals and housing are provided during that week. Band camp will help the incoming freshmen to make a smooth transition to college with people who share a common interest.
“The people who played in band in high school have all been part of a group of people who share a common interest,” said Hinman. “Hopefully, they can come to college and hook-up with a group of people who still share that interest. They then have a network of friends and acquaintances that will help make that transition to the college level smoother.”
The marching band does not compete, but they do host two annual marching band competitions – Bands of America southern regional championship on Sept. 28 and the ETSU Marching Classic on Oct. 12.
“By being involved, they (students) are giving themselves a chance to be involved in one of the most visible activities on campus,” Hinman said. “And in a group that has people that really enjoy what they do while serving as representatives of the institution.”
Individuals who take marching band can use it as a P.E. credit.
The Marching Bucs have experienced some changes for the new fall semester. They have a new director, Joe Moore, formally the director of bands at Tennessee High School. The marching band under the new director will be changing band shows more frequently than before.
Hinman said that marching band has also been changed to a night class so that more non-major students will be able to find time in their schedules to participate in the marching band activities.
The new field commanders have been chosen by auditions, and they are Christina Reisweg, Jason Franklin and Justin Hensley.
There are other activities that students can be involved in the instrumental area of the music department, including wind ensemble, jazz band, concert band, color guard and basketball band.
The wind ensemble and basketball band require an audition.
The wind ensemble has toured extensively all over the United States as well as Europe and Australia.
“All we hope is that people give it a chance,” Hinman said. “If they played in band or was involved in color guard, we would love to have them.”
For more information contact Hinman, Moore or Patti Marlowe in the music department at 439-4270.

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