Prospective members

Audition info

Who are we?

The Golden Buffalo Marching Band is more than just a band; it’s a family, a community and one of the most exciting experiences you can have at CU Boulder!

As a member, you’ll join a musical organization that performs for over half a million fans each year. From high-energy football games to major public events, you’ll be part of the sound and spirit that electrifies the campus and you’ll do it alongside 200+ new friends from all over the country who will quickly become your second family.

Starting college at a large university can be overwhelming, but in the GBMB, you’ll never feel lost in the crowd. From day one, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a supportive, welcoming group of students who study together, celebrate together and hang out long after rehearsals end.

With over 200 members annually, the GBMB represents nearly every school, college, student organization and major within the University of Colorado. More than 90% of our membership consists of non-music majors, with approximately 30% of the band majoring in engineering. Our members maintain higher GPAs than the average CU student, proving that hard work, community and success go hand-in-hand.

The GBMB reaches far beyond the CU campus and frequently performs at Mile High Stadium (home of the Denver Broncos), at local High School marching competitions as a featured performer and at national football bowl games including the 2024 Alamo Bowl, the 2016 Alamo Bowl, the 2008 Independence Bowl, the 2007 Champs Sports Bowl, the 2004 Houston Bowl, the 2003 Alamo Bowl, the 2001 Fiesta Bowl, the 1999 Insight.com Bowl and the 1998 Aloha Bowl.

So, are you ready to work hard, play hard and be part of something extraordinary? Join now to be a part of the TRADITION, HEARTBEAT, SPIRIT and PRIDE of the Ƶ!

Eligibility

Enrollment is open to all University of Colorado students, regardless of major, who have prior experience on a woodwind, brass, drumline (non-keyboard) instrument, or color guard.Previous marching experience is not a requirement. Students must complete an audition via the process below before their first year of participation in the GBMB.

All participants must enroll in EMUS 1287 or EMUS 3287.

Audition information

Thank you for your interest in joining the Golden Buffalo Marching Band! Membership in the GBMB is based on an audition before your first year in the organization. For more information about becoming a member and the audition process, please visit the tabs below for specific details for each instrument/section.

All admitted members are required to attend summer Band Camp prior to the start of the academic year. The 2025 Band Camp is scheduled forAug. 15-20, 2025. Move-in for new members is scheduled forFriday, Aug. 15.

2025 Wind auditions: Close July 1, 2025
2025 Color guard Auditions: Close June 1, 2025
2025 Drumline auditions: CLOSED

Audition dates and deadlines may vary depending on the instrument/section. Results will be sent out via email by one of the Band Directors on a rolling basis.

Missed the deadline? ContactLogan.Sorey@colorado.edu for information about potential remaining performance opportunities in the GBMB.

Color guard

The CU Boulder color guard performs with the GBMB at all home football games. Additionally, the guard performs at all spirit and pep events to support the football team including several away trips, bowl games andat Pearl Street Stampedes.The color guard rehearses with the marching band during the fall on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 4:40-6:40 p.m., in addition to an hour-and-a-half sectional rehearsal each week. Saturdays are usually reserved for game day rehearsals and performances. Color guardmembers major in all different areas of study, including engineering and are still able to participate in winterguard activities as well as different campus clubs andgroups.

We spin many types of flags, but specialize in 6’flags and swing flags. The guard also incorporates all types of dance inour shows, pulling inspiration from ballet, modern, jazzand lyrical styles.

Performing in Folsom Stadium is just one of the many perks of being in the guard! In addition to performances, members enjoy free trips, food, fun events and Nike warm-ups among other benefits. The members of the guard also become a very close-knit group of friends who often study together and go out onweekends!

Color guard camps

Dates TBD
Location: Farrand Field, Imig Music Building, CU Boulder campus

Audition info

Each person interested in participating will be required to submit a video recording including your name, CU Boulder degree program and school, prior experience level and motivation for wanting to be a color guard member by TBD. For specifics on what should be included on your video, please visit the .

Feature twirler

Twirlers who are interested in auditioning for a GBMB feature twirler position should submit the following items via email byTBD.

  • Band application
  • Résumé of twirling/school career
  • Two personal references including full name, phone number and your relationship (a twirling coach for one is preferred)
  • Recent digital photo in your costume
  • Competitive solo level attained (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
  • Video showing a variety of examples of twirling performances in the last 12 months. Samples can be from high school twirling, competitions, performances or twirling at home. Team or individual performances are acceptable. Please submit video to YouTube and share a private link in your email submission.

​Submit the above to:
GBMBDirector Branden Steinmetz,branden.steinmetz@colorado.eduand
Kaitlyn Turnbull,cubouldertwirlers@gmail.com​

Feature twirler auditions

After receiving your initial application, you will be notified if you are invited to audition for a feature twirler position. Twirler auditions will be held onTBDon the CU Boulder campus. You must be accepted to the university in order to audition.

For the audition, twirlers should be prepared for the following:

  • 2- to 3-minute routine choreographed to the music of your choice showcasing your 1, 2 and 3 baton skills
  • 30-second fight song routine (CU Boulder fight song will be provided to all applicants)
  • Interview with judging panel

You will be judged on difficulty, technique, execution, “crowd appeal,”effective interpretation of musical selection, varietyand showmanship. Your fight song routine should showcase your performance skills more than your twirling difficulty. Make it showy and entertaining for a football stadium!

Candidates should include as many of the twirler preferred skills in their routine as possible. Candidates should wear a twirling costume with performance hair and makeup done.

Note:It may be possible to do a video audition if you are unable to travel to Colorado for the audition date.

Preferred skills

  • 2 and 3 spins (vertical and horizontal)
  • Toss illusion
  • Toss walkover or cartwheel
  • Rolls
  • 2 baton combos
  • 3 baton combos
  • Grand jeté
  • Advanced understanding of bodywork and dance

Feature twirler expectations

Feature twirlers are expected to choreograph two individual routines and one group routine with the other feature twirler(s) for each marching band show. It is expected that twirlers purchase a costume and shoes on their own and provide their own batons and additional clothing apparel (shorts, shirts, sweats, etc.).

There will be 1-3 feature twirlers selected for fall 2024.

For more information about the audition process, contact GBMB Director Branden Steinmetz.If you havequestions about the preferred twirling skills or routine choreography, contact coach Kaitlyn Turnbull,cubouldertwirlers@gmail.com.

Drumline

2025auditions

Saturday, April 26

Noon-2 p.m.—Pre-audition clinic
3-6 p.m.—Snare auditions
7-10 p.m.—Tenor auditions

Sunday, April 27

10 a.m.-Noon—Bass auditions
1-2 p.m.—Cymbal auditions
2-3 p.m.—Full drumline

Anyone unable to attend in person must send a video audition of all materials by 11:59 p.m.on Friday, April 25.

All material included in the audition materials folder should be prepared and ready to perform. Memorization is not required,but is highlyencouraged.

2025 summer camps—TBD

Everyone selected for the 2025CU Boulder drumline is expected to attend the summer drum camp on TBD, 2025, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days.

Attendance at the fall drum camp is also mandatory for those selected for the 2025 drumline which will be held the following times

  • Aug. 13, 7-10 p.m. (rehearsal)
  • Aug. 14, 10 a.m.-9p.m. (rehearsal)
  • Aug. 15, 3-5p.m. (rehearsal); 5:30 p.m. (performance for GBMB meet + greet)

Band camp (required): Aug. 15-20, 2025

Sectionals: Drumline members are expected to attend regular weekly sectionals held on Mondays, 7:30-9:30 p.m., in addition to the regular marching band rehearsals.

All interested students should completethis formtoindicate interest.By submitting the form, you are making a full commitment to be a part of all drumline activities this summer, including auditions and through the fall 2025season.

Aninstrument/equipment fee of $40 is required by all who commit and audition for the 2025CU Boulder Drumline. This fee covers usage, maintenanceand any necessary materials needed to play.

Questions? Contact Head Drumline InstructorJake Euler.

Woodwinds + brass

In the Golden Buffalo Marching Band, we march the following wind instruments: Piccolo, Bb Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone.

All NEW wind players must audition before their first year of membership. Returning members DO NOT need to re-audition in consecutive years.

Audition requirements

What is a box drill: 8-counts Forward, 8-counts L/R, 8-counts Backwards, 8-counts L/R, returning to the same starting position. One box will be the full Bb-major scale in whole notes.

Band Camp
All members of the GBMB are expected to attend the annual summer band camp. This camp is held the week before the start of the fall semester. The 2025 band camp dates are August 15th through 20th. If you will be living in the residence halls, you are eligible to move into your assigned dorm room before the start of band camp. We recognize that some majors and campus organizations have orientations that coincide with band camp. While attempts have been made to schedule band camp to avoid these orientation conflicts, some overlap is inevitable. Therefore, band students are permitted to leave band camp to participate in any required and essential orientation activities and return to camp when finished. Please communicate with the directors and leadership team if conflicts arise.

Regular rehearsals + game days
Weekly rehearsals are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from4:40-6:40 p.m.during the fall semester. Sectionals may be required on a weekly/bi-weekly basis and will be scheduled outside of standard rehearsal times. A full home game day experience consisting of a rehearsal, a meal break, our warm up showcase, the stadium parade sequence and pre-show, pre-game performance, half-time performance and the actual football game.

While this might sound like a lot of work, most students our schedule quite flexible and many band members are able to work part-time jobs during the marching season. Participation in GBMB will not require such a significant amount of time that it will interfere with your studies! In fact, most students find that participating in marching band assists them with time management skills and forming study groups and supportive communities.

Academic credit
All members enroll in EMUS 1287 or EMUS 3287 for one credit, depending on the need for a lower-division or upper-division credit. These classes are cross-listed and both correspond to the same rehearsal schedule.

Financial Obligations
Most experiences and supplies are provide to you FREE of charge including, music, transportation, lodging on trips, meals on trips and several items of CU/GBMB apparel. Your financial obligations include:

  • Purchasing black marching shoes ( )
  • Uniform rental fee, $30, required of ALL members
  • Instrument rental fee, $25, if applicable
  • Drycleaning your uniform throughout the season

Attendance:All members of the GBMB are expected to attend all rehearsals, performances and game days. Attendance is a majority of the grading scale for the course and will be monitored closely. Pre-scheduled absence requests will be discussed and approved on a case by case basis.

All members of GBMB are eligible for financial support via scholarships! We have multiple forms of financial support available including Endowed “Named” Scholarships, Returning Member Service Awards, Color Guard Service Awards and Instrument Incentive Scholarships.

Woodwinds, brass + drumline (1st year members)

All first year members are encouraged and eligible to apply for one of our many endowed scholarships. The application will be released to the band mid-season, with scholarship results announced in November/early December.

Based on ensemble enrollment, some Incentive Scholarships may be awarded on a case by case basis to those students who play an instrument in a designated section of need. Areas of need will be assessed on an annual basis and scholarships will be awarded as deemed appropriate.

Woodwinds, brass + drumline (2nd year+)

All students in their second year of membership or higher who successfully complete the entire CU Marching Band season and meet all attendance and participation requirements are eligible to receive a $500 Returning Member Service Award to help offset tuition expenses. Post-season travel, including but not limited to Big 12 Championship Game, post-season bowl games, College Football Playoffs, all of which may take place over the semester break and conflict with winter holidays (including Christmas and New Years). These are REQUIRED events in order to fulfill the participation requirements.

No application for this award is necessary. Returning members may be expected to complete an "intent to commit" form at the conclusion of the prior spring semester in order to be eligible for this award.

Color Guard Service Awards

All members of the CU color guard who successfully complete the entire CU Marching Band season and meet all attendance and participation requirements are eligible to receive a $1,000 Color Guard Service Award to help offset tuition expenses. Post-season travel, including but not limited to Big 12 Championship Game, post-season bowl games, College Football Playoffs, all of which may take place over the semester break and conflict with winter holidays (including Christmas and New Years). These are REQUIRED events in order to fulfill the participation requirements.

The Service Award will be divided into two $500 installments. The first $500 will be received at the beginning of the fall semester and the second $500 will be received upon successful completion of all marching band season and post season activities.