become a member of the 2025 racer band!
The 200+ piece Racer Band is an exciting group made up of musicians from all curricula in the university (60-70% non-music majors). The Racer Band annually performs at all MSU home football games, local parades, and off-campus marching band festivals! The highlight of each Racer Band season is hosting the MSU Festival of Champions marching competition hosting high school bands from across the area!
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Want to know more? Check out the links Below!
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Check out the leadership for this year and don't be afraid to say hello!
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Join the Racer Band 2025 (Official) Facebook group for updates and all your Racer needs
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frequently asked questions about racer band
When is band camp?
Band camp typically takes place a week before classes start: Guard, Percussion, and Leadership will start camp about 10 days before classes and while the Winds and Brass will start about 7 days before classes start. Exact dates are typically released early in the Spring Semester.
When does Racer Band rehearse during the school year?
Racer Band meets Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays throughout the school year:
Mondays: Winds/Brass/Guard Sectionals and Music Rehearsal from 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Tuesdays/Thursdays: Full Band from 6:15 - 8:15 PM
Drumline and Front Ensemble Sectionals from 8:15 - 9:00 PM
Fridays: Full Band from 5:15 - 7:15 PM
What are the weekend commitments like?
Racer Band performs at all home football games (typically 5-6 throughout the season) and will typically take 1-2 high school tours to local competitions. We also take part in running our annual Festival of Champions contest, which includes an extra special performance by the Racer Band!
Do I have to audition to be a part of Racer Band?
No! However, we do expect that you have prior experience on your instrument / in the section you're joining. Haven't marched before? That's ok! We'll teach you what you need to know!
Students wishing to be a part of the Drumline or Front Ensemble will be expected to play a "placement" audition - this process helps our staff to get to know you as a player and to assist in setting the line. You may not play on a drum / instrument that you're used to, but we will find the spot where you fit best! If you have any questions about this process, please visit our contact page and reach out to Dr. Shoupe or the Percussion Caption Head, Andy Gibson!
Students wishing to be a part of the Color Guard are expected to have spun in a Color Guard before or have prior experience in performance / dance. The audition process allows our staff to see how you spin and allows you to understand our processes. There is a separate audition for the weapons lines - click the link above to learn more! If you have questions about this process and if Color Guard is right for you, please visit our contact page and reach out to Dr. Shoupe or the Color Guard Caption Head, Hannah Tinsley!
Do I get credit for doing Racer Band?
Yes! Racer Band is considered a university class, so you will receive one credit hour towards your overall GPA.
What does it cost to be in Racer Band?
There is no yearly fee to be a part of Racer Band! We provide your uniform as well as your member t-shirt. There is also no fundraising, as we will also cover the cost of any trips the Racer Band takes. Any cost to you would be to maintain your instrument and provide an accessories needed to make it function (reeds, valve oil, etc.). We do also require black marching shoes - if you have them from high school, you are welcome to use them in Racer Band! If not, we place an order at the beginning of the year - the cost is about $35 per pair (detailed information will be provided during summer communications).
What if I have a class that conflicts with Racer Band?
Small schedule conflicts are not a problem; students with class conflicts have been accommodated and worked around in the past. Contact Dr. Shoupe with questions or concerns regarding possible schedule conflicts.
Band camp typically takes place a week before classes start: Guard, Percussion, and Leadership will start camp about 10 days before classes and while the Winds and Brass will start about 7 days before classes start. Exact dates are typically released early in the Spring Semester.
When does Racer Band rehearse during the school year?
Racer Band meets Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays throughout the school year:
Mondays: Winds/Brass/Guard Sectionals and Music Rehearsal from 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Tuesdays/Thursdays: Full Band from 6:15 - 8:15 PM
Drumline and Front Ensemble Sectionals from 8:15 - 9:00 PM
Fridays: Full Band from 5:15 - 7:15 PM
What are the weekend commitments like?
Racer Band performs at all home football games (typically 5-6 throughout the season) and will typically take 1-2 high school tours to local competitions. We also take part in running our annual Festival of Champions contest, which includes an extra special performance by the Racer Band!
Do I have to audition to be a part of Racer Band?
No! However, we do expect that you have prior experience on your instrument / in the section you're joining. Haven't marched before? That's ok! We'll teach you what you need to know!
Students wishing to be a part of the Drumline or Front Ensemble will be expected to play a "placement" audition - this process helps our staff to get to know you as a player and to assist in setting the line. You may not play on a drum / instrument that you're used to, but we will find the spot where you fit best! If you have any questions about this process, please visit our contact page and reach out to Dr. Shoupe or the Percussion Caption Head, Andy Gibson!
Students wishing to be a part of the Color Guard are expected to have spun in a Color Guard before or have prior experience in performance / dance. The audition process allows our staff to see how you spin and allows you to understand our processes. There is a separate audition for the weapons lines - click the link above to learn more! If you have questions about this process and if Color Guard is right for you, please visit our contact page and reach out to Dr. Shoupe or the Color Guard Caption Head, Hannah Tinsley!
Do I get credit for doing Racer Band?
Yes! Racer Band is considered a university class, so you will receive one credit hour towards your overall GPA.
What does it cost to be in Racer Band?
There is no yearly fee to be a part of Racer Band! We provide your uniform as well as your member t-shirt. There is also no fundraising, as we will also cover the cost of any trips the Racer Band takes. Any cost to you would be to maintain your instrument and provide an accessories needed to make it function (reeds, valve oil, etc.). We do also require black marching shoes - if you have them from high school, you are welcome to use them in Racer Band! If not, we place an order at the beginning of the year - the cost is about $35 per pair (detailed information will be provided during summer communications).
What if I have a class that conflicts with Racer Band?
Small schedule conflicts are not a problem; students with class conflicts have been accommodated and worked around in the past. Contact Dr. Shoupe with questions or concerns regarding possible schedule conflicts.