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EKU Bands

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students in the Marching Colonels play brass instruments outside EKU's Keen Johnson Building

students in the EKU Wind Ensemble play drums during a performance

Students playing instruments at band recital.

No Matter Your Major, We Have a Place for You

The EKU Band Program offers an artistic environment in which to learn, grow, and make life-long friends. Opportunities exist for performing in one of our outstanding concert ensembles or athletic bands.

Outreach

Consider our time-honored events for pre-college instrumentalists:

Bands

Ensembles are open to all university students. Some ensembles require an audition at the beginning of each semester, and certain bands offer scholarship opportunities

The Marching Colonels is the largest and most visible spirit organization on campus, representing a wide variety of majors from each college within the university. Known as the “Pride of Kentucky,” the band entertains thousands of fans at football games, community performances, and regional high school marching band festivals. The Marching Colonels offers EKU students a social experience unlike any other on campus, and finding life-long friends is just the beginning. Unlike the high school experience, the Marching Colonels perform four to six shows each season. EKU takes care of its students, and has a dedicated certified Athletic Trainer on staff to help prevent and manage injury and health concerns.

Benefits of Participating in the Marching Colonels:

$500 Fall scholarship award for participation
Early EKU course registration
Free early move-in to your EKU dorm
Free clothing and swag
Free Gameday food and drinks
Free Band Camp food (the week before classes start)
Free travel
Free access to year-round Athletic Training services
Perform with 150 friends to thousands
Positive and FUN rehearsal and performance environment
Support to navigate your first year (academic, emotional, personal, and health)
Develop leadership skills in the student leadership program.
Additional spring scholarship for participation in the Maroon Machine (pep band)

Course Information: MUS 256
Meeting Time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 4:40-6:40 pm

How to join?

Complete the Member Registration Form here.
Enroll in the class: MUS 256 during your summer Freshman orientation.
Complete an annual physical prior to Band Camp. If you can’t do this with your local doctor, a physical will be scheduled with EKU Heath Services for free when you arrive on campus. Marching Colonel participation is contingent on medical clearance through the physical.
Complete the Medical History Questionnaire prior to Band Camp.
Come visit the band table during your orientation day!
Get connected to your section leaders.
Check out music and choreography work posted on the class Canvas page.
Maroonettes, guard, twirlers, and drumline: Participate in summer clinics and/or auditions.

The short answer is YES! The class meets in the late afternoons Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and we have continuity rehearsal on home football game days. You will have more than enough time for other activities and academics. Marching Colonel members traditionally rank very high in every academic discipline. You can do it!

No! The Marching Colonels is open to any EKU student in good standing, regardless of major. In fact, over 65% of the band are non-music majors. We encourage all enthusiastic student musicians and artists to join, regardless of their academic choice.

No! There is no audition for marching band winds and percussion. If you have participated in band in high school, you are eligible and encouraged to participate in the Marching Colonels. Even if you did not march in high school, we have a place for you!

There are placement auditions for the drumline and entry auditions for our visual teams: Color Guard, Maroonettes, and Feature Twirlers. Here is more Drumline and Visual Team information.

There are no upfront costs to being a Marching Colonel, except purchasing a pair of marching shoes ($40). You earn a $500 fall scholarship by participating!

Band Camp starts Sunday, August 10, 2025.
Band Camp typically starts Sunday, one week before EKU classes start.
Marching Colonels students move into their dorm room early for free. Early Move In is on Sunday, one week before classes begin, during the first day of band camp.
All band camp meals are free.
All band camp housing is free.
Annual Physical and Health History forms are due at Band Camp Check-in.
Band camp includes Big E Welcome events. We help you prepare for your first semester on campus, and connect you to all the resources you need.
Check out the Preseason Band Camp Schedule-at-a-Glance.
More Band Camp information is here.

The Maroon Machine performs at men’s and women’s basketball games, as well as women’s volleyball matches. As part of an NCAA Division I program, band members also travel to support teams during annual conference tournaments, including the NCAA basketball tournament.

Who are we?

Open to all woodwind, brass, and auxiliary percussion EKU students without audition
Open to drum set and Maroonette dancers with audition
Students may audition for limited $500+ spring scholarships (during the first week of fall classes)
Many members are part of the Marching Colonels, but this is not required.
Free tournament travel
Free food at double headers
Free uniforms

Course Information: MUS 250
Meeting Time: Friday, 2:30-3:45 pm

How to join?

Sign up for the class! You also should contact Dr. Wiggins and express your interest in the group so you can get on the communication contact lists. Students are not required to attend every game. A rotation policy is set up so students can fully participate in the class and balance other class responsibilities. If you are interested in a spring scholarship, Auditions are done at the end of the first week of classes. Scholarship audition information is provided on the class Canvas page (register for the class for access). If you need help, please contact Dr. Wiggins.

The EKU Wind Ensemble is the university’s most advanced organization for winds and percussion, performing a wide variety of music from traditional to contemporary. The Wind Ensemble generally presents two concerts per semester on campus and gives concert tours throughout Kentucky and the Southeast. Past honors include invitations for performance at the state conference of the Kentucky Music Educators Association and regional conferences of the College Band Directors National Association. The Wind Ensemble regularly works with guest conductors from across the United States and is active in the commissioning of new music for winds, including recent commissions with Ben Horne, Leslie Gilreath, and Marie A. Douglas.

Course Information: MUS 455A
Meeting Time: T/Th, 2:00-4:30 PM

How to Join?
All prospective students must complete an audition at the beginning of each semester to be considered for membership in the EKU Wind Ensemble.

Ensemble Audition Information

For more information, contact Director of Bands, Dr. Rebekah Daniel at rebekah.daniel@eku.edu.

The Eastern Kentucky University Concert Band (EKUCB) is a non-auditioned group of wind players and percussionists consisting of music and non-music majors. An audition at the beginning of each semester is encouraged for part assignments but is not required. EKUCB performs two concerts each semester presenting exciting and high caliber wind band literature. Creative programming and thoughtful pedagogy offer ensemble members a variety of diverse responsibilities, meaningful challenges, and a wide range of playing experiences.

Course Information: MUS 455B
Meeting Time: M/W, 2:30-3:45 PM

How to Join?

If you’re a non-music major interested in joining Concert Band, no audition is required! Just register for the course and come to the first rehearsal – we’d love to have you! If you are planning to perform with the EKU Concert Band during the upcoming semester, we encourage you to go ahead and register for the course. For music majors, minors, and those in applied studio lessons, an ensemble audition is required for membership in the Concert Band

For more information, contact Director of Bands, Dr. Rebekah Daniel at rebekah.daniel@eku.edu.

Audition Information Marching Colonels Registration

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