Dear Eastern Michigan University Marching Band Member,
Welcome to the 121st edition of the Eastern Michigan University Marching Band!
Greetings to all of our new members and welcome back to our returning veteran members.
You have all made a fantastic choice to not only attend EMU this fall, but to join the EMU Band
program as a member of the marching band. Planning for the 2015 season is already underway and
all of us in the EMU band program are thrilled to have you as a member of the “Pride of the
Peninsula.” As we move forward with the 2015 season we will continue to build upon the long history
and tradition of excellence associated with this fine ensemble.
There are a number of items included is this letter and packet and all of them will help you prepare
for Pre-Camp in July, Band Camp in August, and the 2015 season. As you look through these items
please make note of our initial dates:
Pre-Camp Preparation (Leadership Team Only)—Friday, July 10, 9a.m.-5p.m.
Pre-Camp (All Members)—Saturday, July 11, 9:00a.m.-5p.m.
Leadership Team Retreat (Leadership Team Only)—Saturday, August 29, 9a.m.-5p.m.
Guard and Drumline Pre-Band Camp Rehearsal—Saturday, August 29, 9a.m.-5p.m.
Residence Hall Move-In—Sunday, August 30, 2p.m.-4p.m.
Marching Band Camp—Sunday, August 30-Saturday, September 5
Convocation Ceremony Performance—Friday, September 4, 3:00p.m.
First Football Game—EMU vs. Old Dominion—Saturday, September 5, 3p.m.
Concert Ensemble Auditions—Monday, September 7-Wednesday, September 9
Beyond these initial dates, please look at our fall performance schedule (separate sheet) for all home
games including Band Day, Family Picnic, Homecoming, as well as area high school exhibitions, and
our other traditional annual events such as March-A-Thon, Bandorama, and our end of season Band
Banquet.
At Pre-Camp we will distribute the EMU Marching Band Handbook, Fundamentals Handbook, our
Band Camp Schedule, as well as any updates to the performance schedule and from this packet to
complete your planning for the coming season. Please look through all of the information enclosed as
it will serve as a valuable tool for you in preparation for the fall semester. In addition to this packet we
have transitioned a lot of information that would normally be included to an online format in the
effort to “Go Green” this year. Items now posted online include our EMU MB Fact Sheet, Fall 2015
Ensemble Audition Information, EMU Bookstore Information, and order forms for our Family Picnic
Tickets, Earplugs, Season DVD, and Band Concert CD’s. To download these additional materials
please go to the marching band page of our website: emich.edu/music/bands and click on “Summer
Packet Information.”
We look forward to seeing all of you at our Pre-Camp event on Saturday, July 11 as we officially start
the 2015 season. Even if you are still considering your membership in the EMU Marching Band at
this time please plan to attend Pre-Camp to learn more about the EMU Marching Band and meet
our veteran and other new members of the band. Hopefully by the end of the day we will have
convinced you to make the EMU Marching Band part of your collegiate experience and stay on for
the fall season.
Below is a breakdown of the schedule for the day so you know what to expect when you come to
campus for Pre-Camp on July 11:
8:30a.m.
Leadership Team Meeting, Room 106
9a.m.-10:30a.m.
Registration, Uniform Fitting, and Instrument Checkout
Ensemble Wing of Alexander Music Building, Room 105 & 106
10:30a.m.
Welcome and Overview of Audition Process
Woodwind & Brass Only, Alexander Recital Hall
Guard and Drumline Rehearsal, Alexander Music Building
10:45a.m.-12p.m.
*Chair Placement Auditions (Woodwind & Brass Only)
Second Floor Classrooms
Guard and Drumline Rehearsal Continues, Alexander Music Building
12p.m.-1p.m.
Picnic Lunch and Section Bonding, Breezeway
Lunch provided by Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi, our
National Honorary Band Service Sorority and Fraternity
1p.m.-4p.m.
Music Rehearsal
Woodwinds & Brass, Room 105
Guard, Alexander Music Building Breezeway
Drumline, Room 106
4p.m.
EMU Marching Band Mini Orientation
Review Season Schedule, Band Handbook, and
August Band Camp Schedule
Question and Answer Session
Final Announcements
5p.m.
End of Day
To formally accept your position in the 2015 EMU Marching Band please register for the course
(MUSC 149L1-0, CRN 16398) and return the enclosed card immediately so we are aware of
your intentions, including your on or off campus housing arrangements, for the fall season.
If you have any questions regarding the information included in this packet, or the upcoming season,
do not hesitate to contact our office at emu.bands@emich.edu or 734-487-1430.
We look forward to seeing you at Pre-Camp on July 11. Go Green!
Sincerely,
Dr. Amy M. Knopps
Associate Director of Bands
Director of the EMU Marching Band
Dr. Mary Schneider
Director of Bands
Associate Professor of Music