Auditions
All students may arrange an audition for Marching Mizzou by contacting MU Bands. These auditions take place throughout the second semester and during Summer Welcome. Prospective members should prepare a brief excerpt of a solo or etude(18-24 bars) which displays the student's technical and musical ability in addition to preparing two scales of your choosing. The audition with also include sight reading and a brief interview.
Students may audition for placement in concert ensembles during the first week of classes each semester. Concert band audition music is available through the band office the week prior to the beginning of classes.
Auditions for jazz band are held the first two days of each semester.
More information is available at the MU Jazz web site
Scholarships
All students, regardless of major, are eligible to receive music scholarships or band service awards for their participation in any of the major ensembles within the band program. These scholarships are available to all students by audition and are awarded according to musical ability. For further information regarding scholarships, contact the MU School of Music at 573-882-2604
Assistantships
Undergraduate Teaching Staff
Undergraduate teaching staff members assist the Director and the graduate staff in the initial training of the first-year members during band camp week, especially in the area of marching fundamentals. These students must have marched in Marching Mizzou for at least one year. They also assist new students in their transition to college life at MU. Membership on the undergraduate staff also provides music education majors with practical, "hands-on" experience.
Undergraduate staff members can also serve as drum majors, section leaders (responsible for the musical peformance of their section) and squad leaders (responsible for the marching precision of their squads in drill maneuvers).
Graduate Teaching Staff
Responsibilities: Assist the Director of Bands with the administration of all aspects of the MU Band program. Numerous conducting opportunities with all levels of concert bands and jazz bands. Sports band opportunities include assisting the Director of Marching Mizzou with all aspects of the sports band program. Opportunities are available for drill writing, music arranging, show planning and instruction.
* Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in music and acceptance to the Graduate School and the School of Music. Public school teaching experience desirable. Strong performance skills on the applicant's major instrument.
* Stipend: .25 to .50 graduate teaching assistantship plus waiver of tuition. (Special fees such as the student activities fee, student health fee, student technology fee and applied music fee cannot be waived.) Each graduate teaching assistant is required to be a full-time student and to enroll in at least nine hours of course work (applicable to the degree program) per semester. Renewable for a second year, subject to the approval of the Director of Bands.
Majoring in Music
If you are planning to be a music major (or even considering the possibility) contact the MU School of Music at 573-882-2604 or MU Bands for additional information.