Who do I contact for more information about the Bulldog Marching Band?
For more information about the band, please contact our marching band recruiter and/or Sindi Raya-McGuire. You can find their contact information on the "Contact Us" page.

How much does it cost to take part in the Bulldog Marching Band? It's a college group; surely it costs at least $1,000 per year! Can I afford being in the band?
Of course you can afford to be in the band! Marching band fees are generally under $50 for the entire semester. This fee includes an official Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band t-shirt, a marching band CD, a glass marching band mug, a seat at the annual band banquet, football games, and all official trips taken by the band.

First-time band members will need to purchase black patent-leather ShowStopper marching shoes, which are only $35 through our uniform manager, and a flip-folder and pages to fill it to hold all music for the semester. All members need to purchase white band gloves, which are also available from the uniform manager at $3 a pair.

Extended Education students (students attending another school and taking part in the band) will need to pay Extended Ed fees, which typically are around $100 and gives two units of college credit.

How much does the band rehearse every week?
The Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band rehearses from 3pm to 5pm, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with a night rehearsal on Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm. There is also a 90-minute rehearsal on game days that all members must attend.

How big is the band?
During the 2007 season, the marching band was just under 280 members strong.

What other bands are offered besides the Bulldog Marching Band?
Fresno State offers a variety of bands including, but not limited to the Wind Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and Jazz Bands A and B, along with a number of small chamber ensembles.

Does the Bulldog Marching Band compete against other college marching bands?
No; the Bulldog Marching Band doesn't compete against other collegiate bands. The band usually makes appearances at high school competitions and performs for the students competing there.

I love your uniforms! Can I buy one from the band?
Unfortunately, the official uniforms of the Bulldog Marching Band are not for sale.

Do you guys have any merchandise for sale?
We currently have a variety of merchandise for sale, like hats, lanyards, t-shirts, and our official CD's, among other things. Please contact Sindi Raya-McGuire for more information.

I currently borrow an instrument from my high school. Are there instruments available for me to borrow to use for the band, or must I provide my own?
For just $20, a member of the marching band can borrow an instrument from the instrument shop in the old music building.

As a parent, what should I expect of the band? Is my child taken care of? Will they feel as if they're part of the band, even though they're new? Will members of the band put my child through some form of initiation or haze them?
The band provides a fun, enriching atmosphere for Fresno State musicians, and some have called it "the greatest group of people I've ever known". New people are always welcomed into the band, and by the end of band camp, they will have made a lot of new friends, not only within their own section, but also through taking part in social activities that take place during that week, like volleyball at the dorms, dinner at a favorite restaurant, ultimate frisbee on the field, and so many more.

Your child will be well taken care of, and the band will help them feel like they fit in because they'll know so many people of all majors who could very well be in their non-music classes. Veterans of the marching band do not put new members through initiation or haze them.

Are there organizations or clubs on campus that I can take part in? Are there any groups dedicated to helping the band specifically?
There are hundreds of clubs on campus that one can take part in during their years at Fresno State, ranging from clubs dedicated to a certain major or hobby to fraternities and sororities of all types. Members of the marching band are in various organizations and to find out more information, a first-year member can speak to any of those students.

The Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band Council is one way to get involved with the marching band on another level. To become a part of this group, please speak with the marching band director and find out how you can help. First-year members cannot be on council except for rare circumstances (like a transfer student in a drum major position).

There is both a fraternity and sorority dedicated to serving the band program at Fresno State. Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity is devoted to serving the collegiate bands while Tau Beta Sigma Honorary Band Sorority is dedicated to serving college bands and promoting women in music. Both are co-ed organizations, and their membership is spread across all levels of leadership in the band, from drum major to Band Council President, to other members of Band Council, to section leaders, and all the way down to regular members of the marching band. They work jointly to serve the bands and to provide fun social activities for band members to take part in. To find out more information, speak with a member of either organization.

How do I become a section leader/drum major?
During the spring, Tim, the marching band director, holds interviews for both section leaders and drum majors. Drum majors also have a tryout period in which they must demonstrate their conducting skills, leadership abilities, and their competence with a full-sized mace. These positions are then filled with those that Tim feels are most qualified for them. It is possible that a second-year member could end up in one of these positions after interviewing in their second semester at Fresno State, so it is not solely based on number of years in the band.

How long can I be in the band?
You can be in the band as long as you'd like to be. We have had members in the past who have devoted over six years of their life to the band. According to older members of the band, the current record is eight years as a member of the Bulldog Marching Band.

When do I start applying to Fresno State?
Applications to the university begin on October 1st. It is recommended to apply as close to that date as possible in order to be considered for enrollment at CSU, Fresno.

When do auditions usually take place?
Auditions for the Bulldog Marching Band are usually held in the spring, typically in March. These are not auditions to become a member of the band; they are merely auditons for scholarships and for Bulldog Beat positions.

Are scholarships available?
Scholarships ranging from $200 to over $2500 are available to members of the band. Incoming students must audition in the spring before their first semester at Fresno State in order to be considered.

What is Bulldog Beat?
Bulldog Beat consists of two small performing pep bands (named Downtown and Uptown) that play at all Women's Volleyball and all Fresno State Basketball games. Members of Bulldog Beat must be enrolled in marching band, and auditioned for their position. Bulldog Beat members typically receive higher-paying scholarships than other band members.

When does band camp usually take place and how long does it usually last?
Band camp usually takes place the week before school starts. It runs from Monday through Friday with rehearsals from 9am to 1pm and from 5pm to 9pm each day. During this week, the band learns the basics of the Fresno State style of marching, learns how to read a drill chart, and typically learns their entire pregame show to perform at the first Fresno State home football game.

I've signed up for the dorms and have a bed space guaranteed. How can I stay in my dorm during band camp? Is that possible?
It is possible for members of the band to check in early to their dorm rooms. Please contact the nice folks at University Courtyard for more information on moving in early and early check-in pricing.

How much does the band travel? What can I expect on a typical band trip?
The Bulldog Marching Band travels to one away game a year with the Fresno State Football team and to bowl trips if the team does well. On marching band trips, one can expect a lot of fun times, good memories, free food, great hotels, spending money from the band, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

How much does it cost to go on a band trip?
Nothing. Your band fees pay for your trips.

As a parent, how can I take part in this experience? Is there a booster club?
You can take part by joining the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band Halftime Club. Please contact Sindi Raya-McGuire for more information about joining.

How can I purchase marching band CD's?
Please contact Sindi Raya-McGuire for more information.

What is the typical football game day experience like?
The marching band shows up a few hours before kickoff and starts with a 90-minute rehearsal. They review their field show, pregame, and any music that needs polishing. From there, the band members return to the music building, where they're greeted by the amazing parents in the Halftime Club and a free meal.

After lunch and some time to hang out with other band members, everybody gets into uniform and meets in the amphitheater for warmup and attendance. From there, the band marches over to the stadium playing "Bulldog Fanfare" and "Trooper's Battlehymn". They play for the fans at Bulldog Boulevard and break into three smaller bands that play for all of the tailgating groups.

After that, the band returns to the infamous Red Mile, where they greet both the Fresno State players and the opposing team. From there, the band enters the stadium and performs their pregame sequence, consisting of playing from arcs in the stadium and a field show. From there, the energy is high while the band sits in the north endzone and supports the Bulldogs by playing loud and proud as only the Bulldog Marching Band can.

After the game is over, the band comes to the center of the field and holds the 61st Minute, a show consiting of a variety of tunes that the band has learned. From there, the band walks together back to the music building, changes out of uniform, and heads to Double Play Pizza in Clovis for some hot, delicious pizza with their friends.

A game day is typically very long, but at the end of it, it is always worth the time invested.

If I am a student at a local junior college, can I still be a part of the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band?
Of course! As was mentioned above, Extended Education students (students attending another school and taking part in the band) will need to pay Extended Ed fees, which typically are around $100 and gives two units of college credit. Just talk to Sindi Raya-McGuire for more information about becoming an Extended Education student and part of the Bulldog Marching Band!

For any more questions, please see our "Contact Us" page and email our official marching band recruiter.