UDMB Audition Information

School of Music

Marching Band Audition Information

The UDMB averages 300–340 members. This includes all wind players, percussion and auxiliary members. General breakdowns of each area are approximately 220–240 brass/woodwind members, 34–38 percussionists, 38–42 color guard members and 3–5 twirlers.

Students audition into the band the summer before their first season. Auditions for membership in all sections of the UDMB are required. Members must be enrolled as a full-time student at UD or as a full-time student at the Associate in Arts programs at the UD branch campuses.

Is band considered a course/class?
Yes. All members of the UDMB, upon acceptance to the program following a successful audition, must register for MUSC 470, section 010 (brass, woodwinds, guard, twirlers) or MUSC 470, section 011 (percussion). The course is worth one academic credit.

See below for 2026 audition information.

Brass & Woodwind

220–240 members of the band are brass and woodwind players. Students audition into the band the summer before their first season. Once accepted as a brass or woodwind player, that member does not have to reaudition for their spot.*

The UDMB fields the following brass and woodwind sections:

Piccolo / Flute
Clarinet
Alto Saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Trumpet
Mellophone
Trombone
Baritone
Tuba

*If a student wishes to change instruments they do have to reaudition for acceptance.

2026 Audition Day Information

Sunday, June 28

Procedure:

Download the audition materials below in order to prepare.
To attend the Audition Day, please submit the 2026 UDMB Brass/Woodwind Audition Registration Form.

Audition Day Events/Expectations:

New members must audition for acceptance to the UDMB Brass or Woodwind sections. The audition day consists of 3 workshop-type sessions: your music audition, a marching basics and visual session, and a get to know you session with UDMB Student Staff.

When:

Sunday, June 28, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where:

Check in is at the Amy E. duPont Music Building
Parking is available in the Center for the Arts garage (we cannot validate parking).

If you cannot attend Audition Day due to graduation, prom or prohibitive travel distance, please email Professor Johnson about submitting a video audition.

Audition Materials

All wind players will be asked to play the UD Fight Song and the UD Alma Mater (no Tower Chimes, begin at measure 35).

DOWNLOADABLE MUSIC PARTS AND AUDIO FILES

Percussion

Providing the fuel for the marching band is the UD Drumline and Front Ensemble.

The percussion sections consist of a large corps-sized battery:

7–9 snares
4–5 tenors
6 bass
12–14 cymbals

and a full front ensemble:

14 percussion (keyboards plus more)
bass guitar
synthesizer
sound system manager.

Mini Camps & Auditions for 2026 Season

One mini-camp and in person auditions will be held on campus in Puglisi Orchestra Hall, located in the Center for the Arts.

Sunday, July 12: Audition Camp (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Sunday, July 26: Callback Audition & Rehearsal (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

Visit Mr. Ancona's Website for specific information as well as all audition materials.

If you cannot attend the audition date, contact Professor Ancona for alternative information.

Colorguard

The UDMB's Colorguard consists of 36 – 42 members utilizing flags, rifles and sabers, as well as non-traditional equipment. Auditions are required each year for acceptance to the program.

The UDCG is part of the marching band — it is not considered a separate entity. This means that colorguard members register for Marching Band as a class, receive 1 credit for the course, and also receive a financial aid scholarship (pending budgetary approval each year).

See below for all the specifics about our audition process. We want YOU to have the BEST guard experience of your life with the UDCG and that includes just a bit of extra preparation so you can stay ahead of the rest of the band!

2026 Audition Information

Date: Saturday, May 9

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Location: Lil Bob Carpenter Sports Building – Gym 2, Newark Campus

If you're planning to audition, please fill out this 2026 UDMB Color Guard Interest Form.

While we strongly encourage in-person attendance, we can accept video auditions for those who cannot make the audition date. Please email Raul Reyes at rmreyes@udel.edu if you need to submit a virtual audition.

Summer Rehearsal Mini-Camps

After successful completion of the audition process, members of the UDMB Colorguard are asked to attend two summer rehearsal mini-camps. These two short days will help to establish each performer's fundamental skills, both with and without equipment, as well as a head start on learning some of the work for the fall shows.

Saturday, June 20
Saturday, July 25

Both rehearsals will be held in the Lil Bob Carpenter Sports Building, Newark Campus, and will run from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with a break for lunch. Lunch is not provided so please bring it with you or plan to eat out.