Join an Ensemble

“Making the transition to college was super daunting, but joining the band gave me a space to feel comfortable with being myself, make new friends from across the majors and do one of the things I love most - make music for the world.” – Myah LaFave, Flute

“Transferring to UAlbany from a small community college, it was very intimidating. Joining the band gave me the opportunity to be involved with campus events while being surrounded by a positive, wholesome bunch of friends. Joining the band made my transfer experience so much better and allowed me to become very comfortable as a Great Dane.” — Dan Harkin, Drum Set

“I can confidently say that joining this band was the best decision I’ve made. Coming from a very small and diverse school, this band made it easy to make friends and made the switch to a bigger school more comfortable. The Band is like one big, loving family amid a much larger University. I will never forget the memories I made with this family.” — Edwin Aguilar, Alto Saxophone

“I was very intimidated attending UAlbany at first. Would I find a space that appreciated and accepted me? Little did I know I would gain 75-plus people that support and love each other. I’ve gained so many skills and memories that will last a lifetime.” — Keziah Job, Trumpet/Vocals

“The Marching Great Danes gave me an automatic community of people who I had things in common with. I am able to have fun and unwind after a day of classes with some fun music and even more fun people.” — Jack Woolley, Mellophone/Vocals

“Being a part of the Marching Great Danes gave me the opportunity to continue my enjoyment of being in band, while allowing me to meet some of my closest friends and make great memories, along with expanding my musical career. The first time I stepped into the stadium, I knew I was in the right place and that it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my college career.” — Kaitlyn Dembowski, Clarinet

“My earliest memories as a UAlbany student come from being a member of the band. Because of the people I’ve met and the doors that have been opened through my involvement, I’ve been able to go about my day to day knowing that I have a talented, fun-loving, supportive group of people to fall back on when life gets tough.” — Joy Johnson, Clarinet

“I will never forget my first time playing at Casey Stadium underneath the fireworks, stars, and thousands of onlookers. I couldn't imagine not being a part of the band with all my friends, learning more about diverse experiences, pride, and what it means to be a Great Dane.” — Aaron Madej, Trombone

“I have gained a newfound enjoyment of music and community involvement through the Marching and Spirit bands. Through the uniqueness and caring of all the staff and members of the band, I was given the push I needed to pursue my interests.” — Matt Bassin, Electric Bass 

The Marching Great Danes is open to all undergraduate and graduate students — even if you've never played an instrument or participated in a marching band before.

Major/Minor: Most of our musicians are not music majors or minors. Our students’ majors represent a diverse range of academic programs and interests.  

Experience: Many of our students came from high schools that didn’t have a marching band program at all. Others have only ever marched in parades. No prior experience is necessary.  

Auditions: There is no audition to join, and we do not cut anyone. We may ask you to play a brief audition solely to determine part assignments.  

Instruments: You don’t need to play or own an instrument to join. If you don’t play one, we are happy to help you learn an instrument.

We accept any type of instrument. If you play an instrument and bring it, we will find a place for you!

We own several instruments that we loan to students and if you want to play an instrument we don’t own, we have a partnership with a local music store to rent instruments at a low flat rate.  

You may also be interested in the Marching Great Danes color guard, which does not involve instruments. 

Our members include students with challenging majors, students with double majors and Honors College students — all of whom successfully balance their coursework, participate in band and enjoy free time.  

If you’re concerned about the time commitment, we’re happy to connect you with a current student so you can talk about the schedule. Please email us at [email protected] to get that conversation started.

Members who live on campus will move into their residence halls and apartments on August 18, 2024, for band camp before the start of the Fall 2024 semester. We will rehearse during Welcome Week, with our first performance of the year at Convocation.

The marching band rehearses from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays during the fall semesters. We perform at all home football games and rehearse the morning of game days.

The bands also routinely receive requests for additional performances.  

As much as possible, the additional performances will be included in the syllabus distributed before the beginning of the semester. However, we often add additional performances during the semester.

Students receive zero to three credits for participation in the Marching Band course (AMUS 181).  

All participating students are required to register for the course, and there is no variation in expectations dependent on the number of credits for which a student registers.

The credit variation allows students to receive more credit for their time spent with the band while not prohibiting students from registering if they have limited credits available.

The course also fulfills requirements for the Arts general education category and can be repeated for credit.

Scholarships are available to all students who join the Marching Great Danes. Please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website for details. 

Interested but not ready to sign up? Complete our Interest Form to receive an information packet for prospective members.

The packet includes information about scholarship opportunities, a tentative band camp schedule and a sneak peak of what our band has in store for next semester.

You can also reach out to us directly at [email protected] with any questions or to coordinate a visit to one of our rehearsals. 

The UAlbany Spirit Band is open to all undergraduate and graduate students — even if you've never played an instrument or participated in a pep band before.  

Major/Minor: Most of our musicians are not music majors or minors. Our students’ majors represent a diverse range of academic programs and interests.  

Experience: No prior experience is necessary.  

Auditions: There is no audition to join, and we do not cut anyone. We may ask you to play a brief audition solely to determine part assignments.  

Instruments: You don’t need to play or own an instrument to join. If you don’t play one, we are happy to help you learn an instrument.

We accept any type of instrument. If you play an instrument and bring it, we will find a place for you!

We own several instruments that we loan to students and if you want to play an instrument we don’t own, we have a partnership with a local music store to rent instruments at a low flat rate.

Our members include students with challenging majors, students with double majors and Honors College students — all of whom successfully balance their coursework, participate in band and enjoy free time.  

If you’re concerned about the time commitment, we’re happy to connect you with a current student so you can talk about the schedule. Please email us at [email protected] to get that conversation started.

Members rehearse from 8 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays during the spring semester.  

We begin optional rehearsals in November to align with the beginning of basketball season. Students are welcome to attend those rehearsals, even if they don’t participate in Marching Band in the fall but intend on registering for Spirit Band.  

We perform at all home basketball games during the fall and spring semesters. We also perform at various other events, both on and off campus.

The bands also routinely receive requests for additional performances.  

As much as possible, the additional performances will be included in the syllabus distributed before the beginning of the semester. However, we often add additional performances during the semester.

Students receive one credit for participation in the Spirit Band course (AMUS 183).

All participating students are required to register for the course. The course also fulfills requirements for the Arts general education category and can be repeated for credit.

Interested but not ready to sign up? Complete our Interest Form to receive an information packet for prospective members.

You can also reach out to us directly at [email protected] with any questions or to coordinate a visit to one of our rehearsals.