DUMB Information Manual
The 2007-2008 Duke University Marching and Pep Band
Membership Requirements
Who Can Join?
The Duke University Marching Band is open to any Duke student with the ability to play a musical instrument and the interest in supporting the Duke football and basketball programs. Past marching band experience is preferable, however, not necessarily required. Any person who can play and march in step is welcome.
Football Rehearsals & Games
During the fall, the band rehearses twice a week, Wednesday and Friday, from 4:45 - 6:45 PM on East Campus. We perform at all home football games (usually 4 to 6 games each Fall semester). This year, each band member will be required to attend at least one away football game. You may attend extra games.
Basketball Pep Band Membership
Membership to the basketball pep band is open to any student who has participated in marching band the semester prior to pep band. There are around a dozen home men's games. Supporting Women's basketball is an important responsibility for the band. Every band member must play during at least four women's home games. In March, students are selected to travel to the ACC and NCAA tournaments with Duke's men’s and women’s basketball teams. Selection to this group is based on seniority, attendance, instrumentation, and service to the band. With the constant presence of Duke men's and women’s basketball at the top of the nation, many band students are invited to travel with the teams each year.
Schedule Band with the University Registrars
You can add band to your schedule during the Registrar’s DROP-ADD period only. It is advisable to schedule band (MUSIC 102) with the University Registrar in order to get credit and to avoid course conflicts with Wednesday and Friday rehearsals.
Costs and Dues for Students
Costs: Every member is required to own black shoes (fully black) and purchase a D.U.M.B t-shirt (usually around $10) and D.U.M.B baseball cap (around $10) for football season, as well as a Pep-Band rugby ($20) for basketball season.
Dues: All members are required to pay basic dues of $25. These dues include refreshments before games (donuts, orange juice, etc), snacks for band trips and functions, as well as the odds and ends of yearly operating costs. Dues are based on the yearly operating budget created by the treasurers.
Important E-Mail Addresses and Officers
The Director, Officers, Staff, and Section Leaders will make every effort to run the band as smoothly and as fairly as possible. Please feel free to contact them if you have any questions or concerns about music, drill, policy, or any other issue.
Jeff Au, Director jau@duaa.duke.edu
Greg Caiola, President gjc8@duke.edu
Alex Payne, Vice President amp40@duke.edu
John Roelofs, Vice President jhr8@duke.edu
Jessie Eisenmenger, Secretary jae11@duke.edu
Important General Information
E-MAIL IS ESSENTIAL - Know your secretary and keep an eye on your e-mail as well as the D.U.M.B. web page for the latest news and announcements. All changes in schedules, games, and rehearsals will be announced via e-mail. You will need to contact your secretary AND the Director whenever you will be late or absent to a rehearsal, game, or other event.
BLACK SHOES AND BLACK SOCKS - All students must wear black shoes (fully black) and black socks to all games. Black shoes can be purchased on your own, or by contacting the Director directly.
THE SENIORITY FACTOR - Seniority should have its privileges, but not when it interferes with what is best. For example, uniforms will be distributed by sizes, not seniority. In addition, a senior brass player should not play 1st parts if he or she cannot hit the notes. Seniors should not be section leaders if they can't march, direct sectionals, or understand teaching drill. If a sophomore is the best choice to direct the section, then he or she will be the section leader.
DISCIPLINE - Once on the field, we must maintain working discipline. The individuals who are put in charge are to be respected for their titles. They do not have to prove they are worthy of your respect before they receive it.
RULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE - All rules and regulations contained in this manual (D.I.M.) are subject to change at any time during the season at the discretion of the officers and/or director. All policies shall be discussed by the officers and director before being implemented. In addition, all new rules and policy changes will be posted on the band web page, and all band members will be notified of changes via e-mail.
OFFICER, STAFF, SECTION LEADER DISMISSAL - If any officer, drum major, or section leader does not adequately demonstrate competence and/or proper dedication and commitment in office, he/she can be removed by the Director. This will only be done after consulting other officers.
Attendance Policies: Football, Basketball, and Tournament Travel
Introduction
The attendance policies are designed to provide a fair and objective measurement of a band member’s overall participation, commitment, and responsibility as a member of D.U.M.B. A multi-tiered point system has allowed for this objective approach for attendance records, and incorporates many different situations that have occurred over time. The attendance records help determine decisions concerning tournament travel eligibility, admittance into men’s home basketball games, and issues regarding course credit. As a member of this organization, all band members should carefully read these policies to understand their responsibilities from the beginning.
Online Attendance Records
All attendance records will be posted online via the main band web page, www.dukeband.org. Band members may use their Net ID login and a password to access their attendance records via this site. All band members are responsible for periodically checking their attendance records to verify their accuracy, and to report any problems to their appropriate secretary.
In addition, at certain points in the season, secretaries will send out e-mails to the band requesting that band members be sure to check their attendance records before given deadlines. Requests to change attendance records after the given deadline will NOT be granted – it is the band member’s responsibility to check their records, especially when given a deadline – no exceptions.
Point Values
Point values for each event will be determined by a combination of the time spent at the event, and the importance of having a full band present. The numbers below are the amount of time required per band member at each event, but scores have been doubled for all football and women’s basketball events.
Football practices: 4 points
Home and Away Football pre-game practice and game: 16 points
Men’s Basketball pre-game and game: 5 points
Women’s Basketball pre-game and game: 8 points
Basketball practices: 4 points
Unassigned Time
Attending any scheduled events that you are not assigned to will reward in half of the time spent for that event.
Away football games-8 points
Men’s Basketball-2.5
Women’s basketball-4
Happy Points
These will be for voluntary performances, but all events will be worth the time spent at the event.
Ex. Volleyball game- 3 points
Absences
Any excused absence will result in no penalties, and no points.
Any unexcused absence will result in a penalty of the time missed.
Ex. Football games 8 point penalty (so in essence a 24 point swing between you and those who attended)
Lateness
Any member arriving late must check in with their secretary in order to be awarded any points at all for that event.
If a member is excused for being late (or leaving early), they will receive an equal amount of points for the event, minus the time they were excused for.
Ex. One hour excused for women’s basketball game =7 points
If a member is unexcused for being late, they will receive the points for the event, minus a blanket one point penalty, and then an additional half point for every fifteen minutes late.
Ex. 35 minutes late unexcused for women’s basketball game=6 points
Unexcused/Excused
Definition: An 'unexcused penalty' is any unexcused absence (UA) or unexcused tardy (UT) that is obtained during football or basketball season at required events.
1. Excuse Procedure: All excuses, for absences or tardiness, are to be e-mailed to the appropriate secretary and to the director a minimum 3 hours before the event in order to be considered for an excuse. Any absence a member knows of in advance must be submitted as soon as possible (i.e. a wedding, family reunion, etc.) to the appropriate secretary and to the director.
Absences for home football games must be submitted at least one week before game time.
2. Illness and Injury: Sickness is a valid excuse, but the excuse must also be submitted 3 hours prior to the event. If a member repeatedly claims illness to the point the director suspects foul play, the director is free to investigate and administer penalties as he sees fit.
For home football games, sudden sickness must be reported to the director IMMEDIATELY. More specific absence information for each season can be found in their respective sections of the manual.
3. Minimum Point Value: Registering for band includes a responsibility of attending practice twice a week and also attending football Game Days. A minimum positive point value, determined by the director and the secretaries, must be maintained in order to justify class credit, responsibility issues, and most importantly, member ejection issues. If a member does not meet the determined minimum point value he/she will be asked to leave band. If this member is taking band for class credit, a "fail" may result.
4. An unexcused tardy (UT) record is given to any member who is not in position ready to play when DUMBlock is announced on the practice field, or when the band is called to play the first number for a basketball game.
5. If a member is not wearing black shoes (totally black) or other proper uniform attire, a (2)-point deduction will result.
6. If a class conflict will result in repeated absences, the student is required to speak with the director before the season starts to determine if membership is possible.
Football Season Information
The 2006 marching season involves practicing at two (2) rehearsals during the week, Saturday morning rehearsals on home football gamedays, and performing at football games during the weekend. The band will also perform for approximately four home volleyball games. Other performances may be added that are generally on a volunteer basis.
Football Rehearsals
The band will rehearse every Wednesday and Friday from 4:45-6:45 PM, rain or shine on the East Campus practice fields. In the event of rain, band is held in the Bone Hall (located in the
Football Games
Pre-game rehearsal - Pre-game rehearsal usually begins 1½ to 2½ hours before game time on the upper turf fields behind the soccer stadium. You will be notified via e-mail the proper time to be at all pre-game rehearsals. Thirty minutes before the pre-game rehearsal starts, donuts and juice are served by the drum majors. All students are expected to be on time for these rehearsals. If needed, busses will be chartered to run from East campus to Wallace Wade to ensure that freshmen are able to arrive in time for rehearsal.
Post game - Everyone is expected to remain and play until the end of the game. If you need to leave early, you must do so by submitting a proper excuse to the appropriate secretary and the Director.
Away football game procedure
1. All members will be assigned to ONE or TWO AWAY football games (the away UNC game, every other year, and one other game) depending on the football season schedule.
2. If a member cannot attend the away game he/she is assigned to, a switch within the instrument section will be allowed. If a member has an acceptable excuse for the game, he/she is assigned an exemption for that game, but the member must attend the other scheduled away game or a permanent point deduction will result.
3. Make-up points for a missed away game can be obtained for Excused Absences only by attending the other away game the band travels to.
Behavior and Dress
Marching Uniform - All band members are expected to wear their complete marching uniform to the football games (hat, jacket, D.U.M.B. band t-shirt, D.U.M.B. baseball cap, pants, black shoes, and black socks). Pants must remain on at all times and if deemed appropriate by the head drum major, jackets may be removed in hot weather. You must wear the blue D.U.M.B. band t-shirt underneath the uniform. Only the D.U.M.B. baseball cap may be worn in the stands (no other types of hats are permitted).
Away Game Uniforms and Dress - All band members are expected to wear the blue D.U.M.B. t-shirts and jeans (no Capri pants, cargo style, shorts, or ripped/torn jeans). Sneakers are to be worn (no flip-flops, boots, or sandals of any kind). The D.U.M.B. baseball cap must be worn with the uniform at all times in the stands. In the event that the weather should be cold during an away game, a plain white long-sleeve t-shirt may be worn underneath the D.U.M.B. t-shirt. Notification of this addition will be issued before the away games.
Chants and Cheers - Free speech does not extend to the band. We represent the Duke Athletic Department, and, by extension,
Be Ready-to-Play - Be ready to play at all times while you are in the stands or on the field.
Football Music Folios - All band members are responsible for lost folios, for making sure they have all music, and that the music is in the appropriate order. The fine for a lost folio is $25.
2007 Duke Band Football Schedule
Day Date Time Event Location
Saturday 9/1/07 2 PM FB vs. UCONN Wallace Wade
Saturday 9/22/07 1 PM FB vs. Navy
Saturday 10/6/07 TBA FB vs.
Saturday 10/13/07 TBA FB vs. VA Tech Wallace Wade
(Homecoming)
Saturday 11/3/07 TBA FB vs. Clemson Wallace Wade
(Band Day)
Saturday 11/10/07 TBA FB vs. Tech Wallace Wade
Saturday 11/17/07 2:30 PM FB vs. Notre Dame
Saturday 11/24/07 TBA FB vs.
Basketball Season Information
During basketball season, the band plays for both men's and women's home games. Each of the two or three pep bands will be assigned to different men's and women's games. Please see the attendance policies for information regarding attendance at these games.
The basketball pep band plays during the national anthem, timeouts, half-time, and at the conclusion of games. The band is not permitted to play during game play.
Pep Band Rehearsals
The band plans on having much new music this year, and so in an effort to raise the level of musical performance as well as add new and more challenging music, we will schedule rehearsals for the pep band. You will be required to attend two (2) scheduled pep band rehearsals of your choice. Pep bands will be assigned to each rehearsal date, and you must submit valid excuses if you cannot attend your assigned date. Please plan ahead. Failure to attend at least two (2) rehearsals will adversely affect your tournament participation.
Attendance and Points Policy
Attendance records during basketball season include all required rehearsals, men's and women's basketball games, information meetings, and tournament travel. Specific point values for games and/or rehearsals are assigned depending on if a band member is present, tardy, or absent.
1. The Band will be broken into different bands, each assigned to play at an equal amount of men’s and women’s basketball games. Attendance for assigned (as per Pep Band) men's games is mandatory.
2. WHEN TO BE IN THE STANDS, READY TO PLAY: All band members must be ready to play in the band section 2-hours before men’s game time and forty five minutes before women’s games, unless otherwise notified. Percussionists must allow time to set up (earlier).
3. CAN'T MAKE YOUR ASSIGNED MEN’S GAME? In the event of an anticipated absence from a men’s game, there is no need to find a sub -- simply e-mail an excuse to the appropriate secretary AND the director at least 3 hours prior to the event.
CAN'T MAKE YOUR ASSIGNED WOMEN'S GAME? In the event of an anticipated absence, a member must arrange for his/her own substitute and must e-mail an excuse to the appropriate secretary and the director along with the name of the substitute. The substitute must be someone from the same instrument section, and preferably, should be playing the same part. If two people are switching assigned games, notice must be given to secretaries 48 hours in advance in order for both members to receive the full 8 points. If one member is merely substituting for another, only 4 points will be given.
4. Most games (like Duke vs.
5. The Duke vs.
Uniform and Dress
All band members are required to wear the pep-band rugbies to both men’s and women’s basketball games unless otherwise informed. Blue jeans of the traditional nature are to be worn (no
Dress Penalties
The Secretaries taking attendance before the games will also be checking the standard of dress. Any aspect of the Uniform Dress not met will result in a deduction of 5 points. A damaged, overly faded, or stained rugby or cap may result in the student being asked to purchase a new one. The image of the band as a unified body is important. Thus our appearance should be maintained at a satisfactory level.
Men's Basketball Games
- All band members must be in the stands, ready-to-play 2 hours before game time.
- Students must be ON TIME at men's games due to stadium security and for better band intonation and musicianship.
- Pep bands will be assigned to specific men's games. However, you may choose to attend as many men’s games as you like.
- If you cannot make your assigned game, you must follow the procedures as outlined in the attendance policies.
PLEASE NOTE - If you do not follow these procedures, you may be shut out of the game.
Men's
In order to attend the Men's
1. Must have played in at least four (4) women's home games.
2. Must have attained the point cutoff level (cutoff level value TBA).
3. Band members will receive advance warning if they need to attend extra games/events to pass the point cutoff.
4. Must have no more than five (5) total 'unexcused penalties.' (see above)
5. Must NOT have any unexcused absences (UA) from home or away football games.
Women's Basketball Games
- All band members must be in the stands, ready-to-play 45 minutes before game time.
- Women’s home games will be divided evenly between the pep bands. You may choose, however, to attend as many women's games as you like.
-If you cannot make your assigned game, you must follow the procedures as outlined in the attendance policies.
NCAA and ACC Tournament Travel
Tournament Information Meeting
All band members will be required to attend the Tournament Information Meeting. During this meeting, band members learn all the necessary information for tournament travel with the band. If you cannot attend this meeting, you must submit a valid excuse. Each band member will fill out an online form where he/she can indicate his/her tournament availability status and other important information.
Tournament Bid Distribution
Tournament bids will be distributed via e-mail by the band president. Bids will list each tournament travel event that a band member is assigned to. You cannot turn down part of your bid – it is an all or nothing proposition.
When traveling with D.U.M.B by plane, all are expected to dress nicely. Everyone traveling will be required to play at an Alumni parade in the spring. If you skip this parade without a valid excuse submitted through the proper channels, you will have $100 levied against your bursar’s account.
Basketball & Pep Band Schedules will be posted on the band website.
Men's and Women's NCAA and ACC Tournament Selection Eligibility
In order to be eligible for tournament selection you must have completed the following requirements, regardless of seniority:
1. Have attended at least four (4) Women's home basketball games with the band.
2. Have not received more than five (5) 'unexcused penalties' up to the point of tournament selection.
3. Have completed the online tournament selection registration form.
4. Have attained the point cutoff level (cutoff level value TBA).
5. Have attended at least two (2) scheduled pep band rehearsals.
6. Have attended the scheduled Tournament Information Meeting.
Forfeiture of a tournament bid may result if requirements are not met after receiving the bid – such as accumulation of more penalties to result in 8 or more unexcused penalties.
Other Very Important Tournament Information
1. Tournament selection is decided in a meeting between the director, band president, head drum major, and secretaries. Each section will be ranked based on points. Seniority is an important factor in selection; upperclassmen will receive 30 points for each fall semester of previous service, and 20 points for each spring. So, in order for a freshman to over-take a sophomore, the freshman would be required to accumulate 50 more hours over the course of the year than that sophomore. To overtake a junior, it would be 100. This does not mean that all freshmen stand no chance of good travel bids, often members of sections request not to travel to certain tournaments for scheduling conflicts.
2. Every other year, the Women's ACC Tournament coincides with the home men's UNC basketball game. Since a senior member should not have to miss his/her last men's Duke vs. UNC home game, members will be selected to go to the Women's ACC Tournament based first on who wants to go to the tournament, freshman eligibility, and finally upperclassmen who have not put in their time at women's tournaments. Any member asked to attend the Women's ACC Tournament who does not accept will not be allowed into the men's Duke vs. UNC home game with the band.
2. All students who have attended any ACC or NCAA tournament games, whether at home or away, must take part in the post-tournament Alumni Reunion day parade, or be fined $100.00 on their bursar’s account. This is an understood condition of attending tournament.
3. All students will receive points for on an audition with the director based on their instrument ability. The proficiency score will be 5, 10, or 15 points, upon the director’s discretion. This point value will give excellent players a slight edge in tournament travel.
4. Study abroad students will receive the same number of points they would have been assumed to acquire for the time they had missed. If you study abroad in the fall, your fall score will be determined by taking the percentile in which your fall score fell in the years prior to your time abroad, and determining where that percentile falls in the fall that was missed. Therefore, students who study abroad are not heavily penalized for tournament travel if they have been very committed to band in the past.
5. Students who are holding an officer position also receive added points for their extra commitment to band.
President/ Drum Majors: 30
Vice Presidents/ Secretaries/ Treasurers: 25
Section Leaders/all other unpaid positions: 20
Uniform Managers/Instrument Managers/Librarians: 10
Anyone who holds two positions will be rewarded only for the higher value.
6. The NCAA tournament travel band may only consist of 29 members. How to distribute those 29 members for ideal sound while evenly distributing the amount of travel bids to all sections will be decided by the director whose ideal distribution keeping those factors in mind will be announced during the basketball season, before the travel selection meeting.
7. Any appeals, special cases, or amendments to the point system will be dealt with on a case by case basis at officer meetings.
Equipment - Instruments - Uniforms
Instruments
Students needing instruments can use Duke-owned instruments at no charge. These include "normal" loaner instruments like sousaphones, baritones, mellophones, percussion, and tenor saxes as well as a limited number of instruments normally owned by students, such as piccolos, plastic clarinets, alto saxes, trumpets and trombones. Each student using a school owned instrument must sign for the instrument and be responsible for it.
What to do if an instrument is lost or stolen...
The individual who is responsible for the instrument must make a campus police report and report the loss to the Director and section leader. The student is then responsible to replace the instrument or pay for a suitable replacement.
Uses of School-Owned Instruments/Uniforms for Non-DUMB Events
School-owned instruments and uniforms are only to be used during D.U.M.B sanctioned events. However, if a student has the opportunity to use a horn for a community or paid event, he/she may do so after initially clearing it with the Director. No school-owned instrument may be used for the following events under any circumstances: bonfires, political/ideological events or rallies, demonstrations, or anything of a controversial nature. Instruments may be used for almost any religious service or event, but are not to be used in demonstrations protesting religious groups. D.U.M.B should not be seen as a group that is endorsing or opposing any political, culturally charged, or controversial topic. When in doubt, please check with the Director. Not following these rules may result in dismissal from band.
Uniform Responsibilities
- The marching uniform becomes the responsibility of the individual who signs for it.
- Uniforms must be treated with proper care, and must be kept clean throughout the season. If you need to have your uniform cleaned, please take it to Regency Cleaners - they handle all of our uniforms and will clean it at the lowest price.
- Every piece of issued uniform must be returned at the end of the season on time and to the uniform managers. As we approach the end of the basketball season, uniform collection is announced through email as well as at basketball games.
- If the issued uniform cannot be returned at the posted times, it becomes the responsibility of the student to contact the uniform managers and arrange a suitable times.
- If the issued uniform is not returned within 2 weeks of a given deadline, a $50.00 late fee will result.
- D.U.M.B. T-shirts, Caps, and Rugbies must be maintained in satisfactory condition from year to year or a replacement must be ordered through the Treasurers. Faded, ripped, torn, or stained uniforms are not acceptable.
Late Return of Uniform Penalties
1. Uniforms turned in late without acceptable reason are subject to a $50.00 late fee payable to the band.
2. Uniforms not returned to the uniform managers, simply left in the tunnel, will result in a $100.00 charge on the student's bursar bill.
3. Uniforms left on campus, either in dorm rooms or other areas will result in that student being charged for the full cost of the uniform ($300).
Uniforms and Leaving DUMB
Anyone leaving D.U.M.B before the end of the season must turn his or her uniform in within two weeks of quitting. Quitting is defined as submitting a resignation to the Director. If a student simply stops showing up for rehearsals without letting the Director know, he or she will begin accruing a late fee for turning in uniforms one week after the first missed rehearsal. Late fees for uniforms not turned in will be assessed a $25.00 late fee per week after the one week grace period.
Definition of Officer/Staff Responsibilities
The Function of the Band Officers
Elections are held at the end of football season for the following year's officers. Individuals are nominated by the membership. Each candidate is allowed to present a short speech to the band, and elections are held. The entire process takes two to three weeks. The officers help make policy decisions, decide on show themes, help run the day-to-day activities of the band, and run social events. Officers also distribute uniforms, take attendance, enforce policy, move equipment, and keep band folios up-to-date. The elected band offices, along with their responsibilities are:
Elected Positions
President - The president functions as the primary student representative of Duke Athletic Bands. The President is responsible for developing and coordinating band policy with the Director and other band officers. Along with the Vice Presidents, the President helps to plan social activities for the band. The President is responsible for organizing weekly meetings and an open forum for discussion for all band members. Finally, the President, along with the Director and other band officers, is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the decision-making process wherever Duke Athletic Bands are concerned.
Vice Presidents (2 or 3) - The Vice President(s) is/are responsible for the planning and collecting of money to fund the social activities for D.U.M.B. including but not limited to beginning and end-of-the-year picnics, band parties (including the Homecoming “Legends of D.U.M.B.” band party) D.U.M.Bowling, etc. They are, in large part, responsible for the morale of the band. Traditionally, this position is held by two people, the VP-Vice and the VP-Responsibility.
Treasurer (1 or 2) - The Treasurer(s) is/are responsible for ordering and distributing D.U.M.B t-shirts, caps, and rugbies. The treasurer(s) is/are responsible for collecting dues and making any payments for clothing and/or other D.U.M.B. debts. The Treasurer(s) is/are responsible for funds collected and/or raised by the band and is in no way connected to the general band budget provided by the Athletic Department. The funds raised outside of dues will be deposited into a savings account to be used for the purchase of long-term durable goods at the discretion of the band. The Treasurer(s) is/are also responsible for creating a yearly operating budget to be submitted for the approval of the officers as well as presenting bi-annual reports to the band about the existing finances.
Secretaries (2 or 3) - Secretaries are responsible for taking attendance and checking Uniform Dress compliance at all rehearsals, football, and basketball games. They must be early or on time for all events, and keep track of the absences/attendance record of D.U.M.B. members. This position is especially important, as these records are important in the determination of the possible revocation of basketball privileges and tournament travel.
Paid Positions
The following positions will be paid only upon completion of their position responsibilities.
Librarian (paid) (2 or 3) - This position requires quite a bit of time and a positive attitude towards hours of stuffing folios. You must be dedicated to doing this job, for the entire band’s performance is dependent upon having music. Duties include ensuring the basketball/football folios are in order, and replacing music periodically throughout the year. The librarians are responsible for checking the stands for leftover folios after games and being responsible for the folio cases when traveling on band trips. Librarians will be paid only upon submission of a list of band members that have not returned folios during football and basketball seasons.
Equipment Managers (paid) (3 or 4) - Equipment managers are responsible for moving, managing, and generally manhandling the equipment side of D.U.M.B. They are responsible for renting and driving the U-Haul for away games and for transporting instruments back and forth from Cameron to Biddle when required. Equipment managers must be available on Fridays to load the truck, and on Sunday to unload the instruments at Biddle. Equipment managers will be paid only upon the completion of the last event (usually during basketball season, the Alumni Reunion parade, and storing equipment back in Biddle).
Uniform Managers (paid) (2) - These people are responsible for inventory, distribution and collection of our marching uniforms. They are in charge of keeping an orderly process by which uniforms are distributed and collected in the uniform storage facility under Card Gym. Uniform managers will be paid only after all uniforms are in and a written report of what is missing and who owes money is turned in.
Audition Positions
The following positions require an audition for selection.
Drum Majors - Drum majors are chosen from the active membership of the band. Tryouts are held during the end football season and basketball season (women’s games). Each candidate is given a reasonable amount of time to direct the band on the field/stands and conduct one fight song. The band membership provides feedback on the tryouts and the Director makes decisions based on the needs of the band. Drum majors are responsible for working together and with the Director to make sure they are ready to lead the band. They must know the music and be able to start all tunes at the proper tempo. As all drum majors will be elevated above the band, they must also be able to recognize mistakes in drill, and point out these mistakes to section leaders who are on the field helping with drill.
Section Leaders - Section Leaders are nominated during Spring Semester by band members and selected by the Director and the Drum Majors. Each section has 1-3 section leaders depending on section size and overall band need. Section leaders, in general, must be able to direct the section both musically and in drill.
Section Leader Responsibilities
Teaching Drill - A meeting will be held 15 minutes before each rehearsal in which the Director will meet with section leaders to discuss goals for the day’s rehearsal. Section leaders are expected to study and teach the drill movements to their sections. The section leader will also see that any individual having particular trouble with marching gets help in that area.
Cleaning Music - Section leaders are responsible for cleaning and practicing music with their individual sections during most on-field practices as well as checking and facilitating the memorization of music.
Warming-up - Section leaders are to make sure their section is warmed up and in tune before pre-game and halftime. Before pre-game, as we wait for the team to leave the field, section leaders should be going through warm-ups specific to their instrument and making sure people are in tune.
Uniform Dress - Section Leaders should emphasize the Uniform Dress Code and help maintain the unified image of the band.
Attitude and Criticism - The section leader should set an attitude of being serious about getting the job done to the best of everyone's abilities without making unreasonable demands on anyone. The section leader should be someone who can give constructive criticism as well as take constructive criticism from others.
Supplies - The section leader must make sure that everyone in their section has lyres, music, cork grease, oils, etc. Nobody should come to the Director over things like these.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I have enough time for this?
The best people to ask this question of are the students presently in band. Please feel free to visit our website (www.dukeband.org) and e-mail one of our officers or section leaders. They will be happy to give you good information. Our rehearsal schedule is one of the lightest rehearsal schedules in the country and very few students drop out because of time.
How is DUMB different from my high school band?
Not enough paper, toner, or finger dexterity to answer this question. The best advice would be to e-mail someone you find on our website or visit the interest group that has been established on Facebook. The Facebook group can also give you an inkling of the community that DUMB is. When you join the marching band, you have an immediate social network full of people eager to support you in your first college experiences.
Can I play in the pep band without being in marching band?
No. The good news is that many people who join marching band only to gain membership in pep band tend to end up preferring marching band to pep band. It’s true.
I have never marched before; will that pose a problem?
No. Roughly 30% of our band members had not marched before they arrived at Duke. We use an easy-to-learn step that very few people have trouble mastering. We will help you learn, don’t worry.
I was an athlete in high school; will I still be cool if I join the marching band?
Only if you were cool before you joined the marching band. We have several band members who still participate in athletics here at Duke.
I do not have an instrument; can I borrow one?
Yes. Just let us know that you’ll need one before you arrive. No need to notify us if you play mellophone, sousaphone, or percussion. We expect that you’ll need an instrument.
Are there any extra duties or rituals that freshmen have to go through as part of the organization?
Absolutely not.
Am I required to be here over Fall Break?
This year, yes. We have only 5 home football games this year. We can’t miss 20% of them.
Am I required to participate in a bowl game?
We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. That bridge is way over the horizon.
As a first year band member, will I be allowed to travel to basketball tournament games?
Depending on your participation and our instrumentation needs, yes. If you play trumpet, trombone or sousaphone you would really have to slack to not be invited to at least some tournament travel. We try to give everyone the chance to travel to a tournament game but it is uncertain at this time how our growing membership will affect this.
Can I also be in the Wind Symphony or Jazz Band and still be in DUMB?
Yes. We will work with the other directors and they will work with us. You will be excused from band rehearsal for performances with the Wind Symphony or Jazz Band.