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Join the Band!

Audition Info

Please fill out this interest form!

Everyone—first-years and upperclassmen alike—is invited to join the Harvard University Band. It's a fun, flexible way to keep playing your instrument at Harvard, but without the hassle of high-tension auditions and schedules. Here are just a few of the benefits that Bandies enjoy:

  • You choose which football games you want to attend. Three papers and a midterm all due on Monday? We don't mind if you take a weekend off. All we require is that you attend the rehearsal the week of the games you do plan to attend, since we play new music and perform a new halftime show every week!
  • You travel with the Band to places such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Ithaca. We go where the teams go—all in the name of steadfastly supporting Harvard athletics.
  • You lounge in the band room. Fully equipped with all types of games, free soda, and air conditioning—there's no better place on campus.
  • You sport a cool crimson blazer. The jacket flatters any figure and will get you into Harvard sporting events for free—for life!
  • You perform songs arranged by your peers. Everything we play is student-arranged and we are always eager to encourage creativity. And if the musical muses whisper in your ears, we'll teach you how to arrange!
  • You are a part of the halftime show at yAle. Be there.

Even if you don't play an instrument, you can still join the Band! Our illustrious Prop Crew documents the Band's endless shenanigans on film and in photos—plus, they are charged with the venerable task of guarding Bertha, our six-foot bass drum. They enjoy the full membership benefits of the Band, but without the rehearsals, spit valves, and broken reeds! And Prop Crew shines at the yale game, where they fashion anything from catapults to Trojan bulldogs to enhance the Band's halftime show.

For more information, call 617-496-BAND and ask for Luke Jackson, Manager, or write to manager@harvardband.org

Also, be sure to read our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Sign up for an audition!


NOTICE TO GRADUATE STUDENTS: Although the ensembles at Harvard College are intended for the participation and experience of undergraduates, the marching band currently has several graduate-student members. Contact Luke Jackson at manager@harvardband.org for more info on prospective graduate participation.

Graduate students interested in doing more performing should also contact Mark Olson (meolson@fas.harvard.edu; 617-496-2263) so that he knows of your experience and interest, as he is often called to recommend musicians for a variety of performance needs in the area.