Fall 2024 Season Membership

Below is everything you need to know about being a member of the 2024 Sudler Trophy winning Pride of Arizona Marching Band. We are very excited about the upcoming season! The POA is a highly visible organization that represents not only the University of Arizona, but also Arizona Athletics and the School of Music. Known for its musical and visual excellence, our nationally recognized bands program offers members the opportunity to perform at the highest level on a national stage. We know The Pride will be a significant life experience that you will remember forever! Please read the following information carefully.

Registration and Schedule

* ALL STUDENTS must be registered for course MUS 400B/500B, or Pima Community College course MUS 200, including auxiliaries. You will not be allowed to participate in any performances until you are registered. Students having trouble registering through UAccess should refer to the Office of the Registrar Change of Schedule information.

UArizona Students: You may also register for course MUS 494 section 121 (MUS 694 section 121 for graduate students) for variable credit hours (1-3) in addition to MUS 400B/500B (1 credit hour), for a total of up to 4 credits for marching band. MUS 400B/500B is still required. This additional course is optional. IMPORTANT: While MUS 400B/500B will be graded traditionally (A, B, C, D, E), MUS 494/694-121 will be graded alternatively (S, P, F).

MATH 100, Schedule for Success for incoming first year students: If you are required to register for Math 100, you may participate and register for the Pride of Arizona. You will only be allowed to register for 13 units total, and marching band can be 1 of those units. If you come across an advisor who does not believe you can be in the Pride, please reach out to the band office for advising assistance.

PCC Students: MUS 200 is set at 2 credits.

** ALL STUDENTS, including auxiliaries, must complete the Student Profile form. This form is critical for our band to operate effectively.

Your attendance and participation in the dates and times listed on the Fall Schedule is mandatory. Reserve these dates on your calendar now. In addition to our regular rehearsals (MWF 3:00pm – 5:50pm, and some Saturdays 8:00am – 12:30pm), the Pride may also be involved in other commitments including bowl trips during the winter break. Please allow for this possibility in your schedule as these events are also mandatory.

Band Camp 2024

Our pre-season full band rehearsals will begin on Saturday, August 17, and continue through Friday, August 23. During this time we will learn pre-game and at least Part 1 of our primary halftime show.

Band Camp is a week filled with difficult challenges, amazing growth, and character building as you work together to become the “Pride of Arizona” Marching Band. You should arrive for rehearsals in good physical shape, wearing appropriate outdoor athletic gear including shoes (no sandals). We highly recommend shorts and hats as temperatures in Tucson are in the low 100’s in mid-August. Plenty of water and sun-block are a must! Please bring your own supply including a water jug (1-gallon recommended) with your name on it. You will also be responsible for providing your own meals.

Keep practicing throughout the summer so that you can arrive ready to play, dance, spin, and twirl at the highest level. We want to create the finest possible experience for you, and your preparation is critical to reaching that goal.

Placement Auditions (Wind Players)

Auditions are mandatory and will begin promptly at 9:00 AM on the first day of Band Camp. These auditions are playing interviews that are meant for part placement and determining reserve status. They are not meant to be stressful. Keep practicing throughout the summer. Band Camp will be here before you know it!

Instruments

Flute players must play a piccolo.

Clarinets and Saxophones will play on Legere Synthetic reeds.

  • Clarinets must play on the European Cut
  • Alto and Tenor Saxophones must play on the American Cut
  • Bari Saxes must play on the Signature Cut

In general, we encourage woodwinds to play a 3.5 strength (Vandoren) reed in most cases. This translates to a Legere 3.5 for Clarinets, a 3.5 for Altos and Tenors, and a 3.5 for Bari Saxes. Here is a comparison chart for what strength Legere reed to purchase.

If you are renting a School of Music supplied instrument, you will still need to purchase/provide your own mouthpiece. See below for the model of mouthpiece we require.

  • Bari-sax: Yamaha YAC-1295 5C
  • Sousaphones: Conn Helleberg 120-S or a PT-50
  • Baritones: Schilke 51D
  • Mellophones: Hammond 6MP (DO NOT ORDER YOUR OWN! More info coming soon.)
Instrument Rental

The School of Music Pro Shop is located in the School of Music, Room 136. University provided instruments will be checked out starting on August 1, 2023 by appointment only.

The use of a school-owned instrument is a privilege extended to you by the University of Arizona School of Music. You must have a photo ID and know your student ID or NetID in order to check out an instrument. If you do not, please consult your UAccess Student Portal.

Bari saxes, mellophones, and baritones, are available for a $135 rental fee. Sousaphones are available for a $180 rental fee. Other instruments are not available for rental unless approved by Carson Scott. All students must pay the above fees in order to be issued an instrument. Scholarships do not waive these fees.

University of Arizona students may use their Bursar Account or credit / debit for instrument rental. Pima Community College students must pay via credit/debit.

It is your responsibility to report any damage, theft, or loss immediately to Professor Shoopman and Carson Scott with the date, time, and details of the event. Please include your contact information. Telling a staff member or student does not qualify as appropriately reporting damage. Report form can be found on the QReserve system. You will be held responsible for associated costs.

All instruments must be returned clean and in working order to the School of Music Pro Shop by January 15, 2025 or you will be charged for the cost of replacement. Those students who need instruments for Pep Band during the second semester must renew their checkout by this date.

The School of Music has a limited number of instruments available for check-out. If you find during the season that you no longer need to use the instrument that you checked out, please return it as soon as possible to the School of Music Pro Shop so that someone else may use it. Failure to return your instrument by the due date will result in a charge for the replacement cost of the instrument.

To request an instrument, report damage, and reserve practice rooms you need a QReserve account. Follow the steps below to get started.

  1. Go to https://my.qreserve.com and create an account using your @arizona.edu email address. If you are a Pima Student, use your @mail.pima.edu address.
  2. Once your account is created, please send an email to proshop@cfa.arizona.edu to be added to the School of Music site.
  3. Once you have access to the site, you will see on your dashboard where to request an instrument.

Supplies and Purchases

Required Apparel

All students must purchase Pride of Arizona apparel.

  • Winds and Percussion: Show shirt, Pride “Performance” shirt, Bear Down Friday Polo, and Pride hat ($65)
  • Color Guard, Poms, and Twirlers: Show shirt only ($20)

These items are required and must be purchased in advance. Use the link below to purchase.

Purchase Required Apparel

Shoes, Gloves, Lyres, Flip Folders, Extra Flip Folder Pages

Wind players must purchase all items listed below. Percussion players must purchase shoes only. There are many places you may find these required items. The links below are from Band Shoppe. These are provided to direct you to the exact product we require. However, you may purchase these items from any vendor including, but not limited to, Instrumental Music Center (IMC). You are responsible for purchasing the items listed below. You must have all of the following in your possession at the first day of Band Camp.

  • Shoes (SELECT BLACK COLOR)
  • Gloves-half: Piccolo and Clarinet; 3 pair minimum (SELECT WHITE COLOR)
  • Gloves: All brass, Alto, Tenor, and Bari Saxes; 3 pair minimum (SELECT WHITE COLOR)
    For all school owned instruments: Mellophone, Baritone, Sousaphone, and Baritone Saxophone players should buy extra gloves (more than 3 pair) to use in rehearsals.
  • Lyre: Search for your instrument (SELECT SILVER COLOR)
    Mellophone players – order Yamaha YAC 1508N
    Baritone players – order Yamaha YAC 1509N
    Piccolo and tuba players do not purchase lyres.
  • Folio Folder (SELECT BLACK COLOR)
    Please make sure to order an extra box of folio replacement sheets: Folio Sheets
Freshmen / First-Time Students

All incoming freshmen and first-time students new to the Pride of Arizona must attend the Pride Rookie Orientation Dinner (PROD) on Friday evening, August 16. Use the link below for event details and to purchase your ticket.

Purchase Rookie Orientation Dinner tickets

Summary of Who Should Purchase What
  • Everyone:
    • Required Apparel
  • Winds and Percussion:
    • Marching shoes
  • Winds:
    • 3 Pair (minimum) of gloves
    • Flip folder
    • Flip folder sheets
    • Flip folder lyre
  • Freshman / First-Time Students:
    • PROD tickets

Uniforms

You will be issued your uniform during band camp. If you feel you may need a uniform that is larger or smaller than an average size, please call or email us with your jacket and waist size right away. Otherwise, you will fill out a separate form at uniform checkout during band camp.

Parking and Housing

Parking

Cherry Garage “Band Camp” parking permits ($40*) are available for August 17-24. Contact the band office or your section leader for an application.

Regular season “Evening Surface Lot” permits ($183*) are available for the academic school year. This permit is valid daily in any surface lot after 2:30 p.m. beginning August 16. After marching season, the permit may be returned for a prorated refund if you do not wish to keep using it. Permits will be available for purchase through the Parking & Transportation website beginning August 1.

These parking options are offered for your convenience and are NOT mandatory.

* = Rates subject to change.

Housing

If you are living in a University dorm this Fall, you will be able to check into your room early on Friday, August 16. Please refer to the early move in details for important information. If you have not done so already, be sure to submit your Housing Application Form as well. If you apply for housing, you will receive an email from the Housing Office in late July notifying you of your housing assignment. At this time you will be able to sign up for the early move-in for Marching Band. There will be a $165 non-refundable application fee that will be applied to your Bursar account, and will need to be paid in full by the first day of the semester (August 26, 2024).

Reminders

  • Everyone must be registered for marching band, including auxiliaries.
  • Everyone must complete the Student Profile Form, including auxiliaries.
  • Winds will receive their music in July. If you do not, please call the Band Office (520-621-1683).
  • Practice Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you need one, please contact the School of Music at 520-621-3065 for more information.
  • Flute players – find a piccolo!
  • Clarinets and Saxophones – purchase and use the required reeds!
  • Be prepared for the hot weather.
  • Bring athletic shoes – do not march in sandals, boots, ballet slippers, etc.

Please plan accordingly and come prepared.

If you have questions, please contact us.