Athletic Bands

Marching & Varsity band

The Stony Brook Band Program is comprised of Stony Brook University's best and brightest students. The Band has one of the highest cumulative GPAs on campus and is represented by nearly every academic discipline and major on campus. 53% of our Band Members major in Math, Science, Health Sciences, or Engineering. The Band's Cumulative GPA is 3.36 (higher than the all-University average of non-band students on campus). 52% of Band Members have a Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher; 66% have a 3.25 or higher; 76% have a 3.0 or higher. Data courtesy of the Stony Brook University Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness; December 2023.

- Marching/Varsity Band (MUS 268) is a 1-credit performance course for academic credit.
- 2-3 rehearsals per week in Fall Semester: Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30p-8:30p, and select Fridays (usually on Home Football Game Weeks) from 2:00p-4:00p. 2 rehearsals per week in Spring Semester: Mondays and/or Thursdays from 6:30p-8:30p.
- More than 50 majors are represented in the Spirit of Stony Brook. Less than 5% of members are Music Majors. Some of the most popular majors include: Engineering, Biochemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Physics, and Psychology.
- Academics are a priority for all members; over 75% of whom have a GPA above 3.0.
- Designed for all students who have instrumental music (woodwinds, brass, drumline) or dance/guard experience.
- Start the school year with 100+ friends.
- Early move-in to on-campus housing at no additional cost. Priority move-in before the rest of campus moves in. Get to know the campus before the school year begins.
- Unique halftime show performances for each and every Home Football Game.
MUSICALITY
Earn academic credit for doing something you love, which also helps increase your GPA.

MENTORSHIP
Have an upperclassman mentor as a resource for questions about all things related to Stony Brook University.

OPPORTUNITY
Unique all-expenses-paid travel opportunities to Conference and NCAA tournaments, away games, and more.

MERCHANDISE
Stony Brook Seawolves gear.

CONVENIENCE
On-campus residents move into their residence halls early for Preseason Camp at no extra charge.

COMMUNITY
Make 100+ friends and get acclimated to campus before the school year begins.

CONNECTIVITY
Immediate connections with prominent faculty, staff, and coaches.

PRIORITY
Priority registration for Spring classes--make your schedule and register for classes before other students on campus.

EXCLUSIVITY
SBU ID Card access to our exclusive Band Hall lounge and locker room.

UNITY
Become the Spirit of Stony Brook and the Soundtrack of Campus.
Sense of community and belonging.
Each year at Presason Camp, the band spends nearly 72 hours together rehearsing and bonding. After those experiences, the band becomes a community of friends; not just musicians and marchers.

Source of help and guidance.
The marching band has over 100 incredible members who are always there to lend a helping hand. Off the field, many members study together, and help each other with homework and projects.

Connections.
Marching Band opens many doors and opportunities, and is an extracurricular asset to your graduate/med/law school and job applications.

Love of the art.
Marching Band is unlike any other musical ensemble you can join in college (especially at Stony Brook). You grow as a musician and marcher by working to perfect music and drill with a quick turnaround.

Happiness.
Many of our members are highly involved on campus. Band is their safe space and the place that will always make them happy.

Sense of pride.
It’s the feeling after a show when you realize all the hours of practice it took were worth it. It’s hitting your final set and hitting the final note knowing the effort you put in to make that show great. It's knowing you're contributing to a healthy and spirited campus culture.

Promotes personal growth.
Marching Band can be difficult but every challenge in band can be transferred to other situations. Persevering in Marching Band translates to academic success. Many successful leaders were once in band; more than 70% of Fortune 1000 CEOs participated in band programs, either in high school or in college.

Academic achievement.
Band members are among the smartest students on campus. As of Fall 2018, over70% of the Spirit of Stony Brook had a GPA above a 3.0, with many students achieving near 4.0. The most involved students are also the highest academic achievers.

Friendship and memories.
Most people in the band are friends with other people in the band, and those friendships often extend beyond the field through college and after graduation.

Mentorship.
Every New Member is paired with a Returning Member who guides them through any questions they may have about the University or in general. These connections build the community of our band.

Stress relief.
Rehearsing and performing is a welcomed and healthy break from busy academic schedules.

REQUEST MORE INFORMATION

APPLY TO MARCHING BAND TODAY

APPLY TO STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY

Experience on any of the following instruments is a prerequisite, including the ability to read music and perform on your instrument at an intermediate level or higher. You do not need to have previous marching band experience; we teach you everything you need to know about marching.

Piccolo (18, 2 ranks)
Clarinet (18, 2 ranks)
Alto Sax (18, 2 ranks)
Tenor Sax (9, 1 rank)
Trumpet (45, 5 ranks)
Mellophone (18, 2 ranks)
Trombone (36, 4 ranks)
Baritone (18, 2 ranks)
Sousaphone (9, 1 rank)

Please complete the Interest Form to be included in all future communication and to stay up to date.
Please download the Marching Percussion Handbook for more information about joining the Stony Brook Drumline, part of the Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band. In addition to various athletic events, we perform at the Varsity Band Spring Concert (April) and the Drumline & Color Guard Spring Showcase (May).

Instrumentation
Snare (9) (traditional grip)
Tenors (5)
Bass Drums (5)
Cymbals (9)
Drumset (3-5; Varsity Band only)

We do not have a Pit / Front Ensemble.

Please complete the Interest Form to be included in all future communication and to stay up to date.
The Stony Brook Color Guard, part of the Spirit of Stony Brook Athletic Bands, adds to the visual flair of our Marching Band. During Marching Band season (Fall Semester only), we are a flag-only line. During Varsity Band season (Fall and Spring Semesters), we incorporate weapons for those who are interested. We perform for all Home Football Games (Fall), the Varsity Band Spring Concert (April), and the Drumline & Color Guard Spring Showcase (May).

Flags (18, two ranks)
Spirit Flags (varies)

Please complete the Interest Form to be included in all future communication and to stay up to date.
Our one Feature Twirler position is awarded annually based on a national competitive audition, via resume and video, due by (or before) March 1st of every year. Annual auditions are required, regardless of your status as Current or Prospective Feature Twirler. You must have committed to Stony Brook University by the time you submit your audition.

As a significant ambassador of the Spirit of Stony Brook, we’re looking for the following qualities in our Feature Twirler: friendly personality and charisma, excellent showmanship and effective communication skills, highly self-sufficient and independent problem-solver, outstanding team member and collaborator, an ability to represent Stony Brook University and the Band Program at the highest level, and school spirit.

Your video audition will include two solo routines/performances that best highlight your talents and demonstrate your potential to twirl at the collegiate level in a stadium atmosphere. You will be evaluated on the following criteria: creativity, variety, speed, difficulty, technique, poise, balance, execution, and showmanship.

Please complete the Interest Form to be included in all future communication and to stay up to date.

Spirit of Stony Brook Instrumentation
Each Rank has 9 Members.

Piccolo (18, 2 ranks)
Clarinet (18, 2 ranks)
Alto Sax (18, 2 ranks)
Tenor Sax (9, 1 rank)
Trumpet (45, 5 ranks)
Mellophone (18, 2 ranks)
Trombone (36, 4 ranks)
Baritone (18, 2 ranks)
Sousaphone (9, 1 rank)
Snare (9)
Tenors (5)
Bass Drums (5)
Cymbals (9)
Flags (18, two ranks)
Spirit Flags (varies)
Feature Twirler (1)
Drum Major (1)

237 Total Members in the Performance Block
176 Members in the Pregame Performance Block

Report an accessibility barrier