How do I enroll for the ECU Marching Pirates?
Enrollment is very simple. All you have to do is add MUSC 1705 to your class schedule when you register for Fall classes at Summer Orientation. Music majors register for MUSC 1706. Two hours of course credit is awarded for participation, and can be applied to Fine Arts or elective requirements in any degree plan.

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I’m not a music major – can I participate in the ECU Marching Pirates?
Yes! As with most collegiate marching bands, non-music majors comprise the majority of our membership. In recent years our enrollment has included students from almost every degree plan and department on the ECU campus.

I’ve never marched or I’ve never marched corps-style. Can I still be in the ECU Marching Pirates?
Absolutely! We have new members every year who have never marched or have never marched corps-style. This is taught during band camp and usually everyone is able to pick it up very quickly.

What style of marching is used by the ECU Marching Pirates?
The ECU Marching Pirates march using fundamentals associated with corps-style marching. However, many of the formations are reminiscent of more traditional college marching band styles.

How many shows do the Marching Pirates perform each season?
The Marching Pirates perform their traditional pregame show prior to every home game each season. In addition, they perform at least 3 different halftime shows each season plus a special “Armed Forces Tribute” show for the Military Appreciation Day home game as well as a special Band Day show for Homecoming.

Does it cost anything to participate in the ECU Marching Pirates?
In most cases, no. The Marching Pirates are fortunate to have most of their expenses, including travel, paid for by the university and athletic department. Members of the band are only required to purchase black marching shoes, at least 2 pairs of white marching gloves, flip charts and lyres, and their own meals during band camp. More information concerning the cost for each of these items will be posted online as soon as the 2010-2011 budget has been finalized in late spring/early summer.

Are scholarships available?
Yes! The ECU Marching Pirates Stipend Program awards up to $400 to select members of the band. Furthermore, the ECU basketball pep band awards up to $200 to select members. To determine eligibility for a financial award, please contact the director of athletic bands at marchingpirates@ecu.edu.

Do I have to audition to be in the band?
Membership in the Marching Pirates woodwind, brass, Drumline and Colorguard sections is based on an audition process that occurs during preseason training camp. Every student who enrolls in MUSC 1705 or 1706 and fully completes band camp is offered an opportunity to audition to be a member of the band. Most selected members will receive a permanent performance block spot while a small number of members may be on a rotating alternate spot.

All audition materials for the woodwind, brass and Colorguard sections can be found at Preseason Training Camp at the beginning of July each year.

Auditions for the ECU Dance Team occur during the spring. For dance team audition information, frequently asked questions, etc, please visit Dance Team or contact the ECU Dance Team instructor, Kristin Jeffries at winsteadkr@ecu.edu.

Is band camp required?
Yes. Only students who have successfully participated in band camp are permitted to be members of the ECU Marching Pirates.

Where do I stay during band camp?
ECU students who will be living on campus will be allowed to move into their residence halls during the first day of band camp. Details and registration for this service can be found by logging onto the “Members Only” section of the band website. All students who wish to partake of this service must enroll for band and preseason training camp and register for early move-in by August 1.

Students living off campus will need to make their own arrangements for move-in at their respective residences. Often times, students whose leases begin after the start of band camp will stay at a friend’s place until they are allowed to move in to their own residence. Assistance will be provided to help these students find a band member who will be willing and able to have someone stay with them for those few days.

Do I need my own instrument to be in the band?
While many students use their own instruments, we are fortunate to have just received 100 brand new top-shelf Yamaha wind instruments to check out to band members who either don’t have an instrument or for those who own a non-professional one.

What is the time commitment for the ECU Marching Pirates?
The band rehearses 4-6pm, Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the fall semester, a rehearsal schedule that conflicts with very few academic classes. It also meets approximately four hours prior to kick-off for home football games. The band performs at all home football games (usually 5-6 per year), 1-2 away games, 1-2 marching band exhibitions and a handful of pep rally performances. If the Pirates travel to the Conference-USA Championship and a bowl game, the band will attend those games as well. As a member of the ECU Marching Pirates all of your travel expenses will be paid by the university including meals, transportation and hotels.

Consider that there are 168 hours per week. If you subtract all that you are required to do to be successful in school:

• 18 hour class schedule = 150 hrs

• 36 hours of homework = 114 hr

• 15 hours practicing = 99 hrs

• 6 hrs Marching Pirates rehearsal = 93 hrs

• 10 hr Game Day activities = 83 hrs

• 8 hrs sleep per night = 27 hrs

• 14 hours for meals, potty, etc. = 13 hrs

As you can see, if you are a music major this means you actually have
13 extra hours per week to do ANYTHING!!! (23 hours-almost ONE FULL DAY- when we don’t have a game week!).

If you are not a music major practicing 15 hours per week, then you have those additional 15 hours to do anything you want as well!
 
We only have 6 Game weeks in a 16-week semester!!!

WHAT DO WE TAKE FROM THIS INFORMATION?

The excuse of not having enough time is simply not true. It's not a "lack of time" issue but a "lack of time MANAGEMENT" issue!

I have a class conflict – can I still participate?

Absolutely! Although our rehearsal time conflicts with very few classes, some students have labs or classes that run into a part of the band rehearsal time. If you have a class time conflict but want to participate in band, please contact the band office and we’ll work with your schedule so you can still participate in band. The amount of rehearsal missed per week is based on the number of years the member has been in the band:

4^th year members – up to 1 ½ hours/wk
3^rd year members - up to 1 hour/wk
1^st and 2^nd year members – up to ½ hour/wk 

Do I have memorize my marching band music?
Due to the nature of our multiple shows format, we encourage but do not require the memorization of music for our halftime performances (with the exception of flutes and percussion). However, all pregame music and the short stand tunes from the following collections are to be memorized: RiffRaffs, Pirate Themes and Chasers. Because of the quick pace at which new shows are learned, some students find it easier to use their music and perhaps even to include drill instructions on the music. Many students, however, are accustomed to memorizing music and find this easy to do at the college level. The first priority of the marching band is to play well since it is, in fact, a musical ensemble. If students feel that they need to use their music in order to play well, they are allowed and encouraged to do so. Note: even though memorization is not required, students are asked to use their pencils to make notes in their music to help speed the learning process.

How many members are in the ECU Marching Pirates?
The band averages between 225-240 members per year. This includes 28 Colorguard and 20-22 Dance Team members.

What are the sections of the band?
See our Sections & Members page:

• Drum Majors

• Woodwinds (piccolos, clarinets, alto saxes and tenor saxes)

• Brass (trumpets, mellophones, marching baritones, sousaphones)

• Drumline (cymbals, snares, tenors, basses)

• Colorguard

• Dance Team

• Feature Twirler

• Band Aids

Why is there no pit or front ensemble percussion section?
This is actually quite common for many traditional college marching bands. The style of music performed by the ECU Marching Pirates relies heavily on battery percussion. Furthermore, with the amount of travel and moving around that takes place on game days, it is difficult to include pit percussion which takes a lot more room and time to move. Game days at the NCAA Division I level are very scripted and time is of the essence when setting up for performance.

Do the ECU Marching Pirates compete?
No. This is one of the biggest differences between college and high school band. Our function is to provide entertainment and support to the athletic programs and other limited aspects of East Carolina University. Each fall, we perform as the exhibition band for a limited number of band competitions and festivals. Occasionally, we are invited to perform at pro sports games and other local and even international engagements.

Are there other athletic bands I can be in at ECU?
Yes! In addition to the ECU Marching Pirates, there is a scholarship pep band that performs at home men’s and women’s basketball games. Auditions for this group will take place in late September. Future plans for the expansion of the athletic band program at ECU include a scholarship spirit band which will perform at a variety of other athletic, university and community events in both fall and spring semesters.

Are there other instrumental ensembles I can be in at ECU?
Absolutely! In addition to the ECU Marching Pirates, there are three concert bands that meet in both fall and spring semesters. Two of these (the Symphonic Band and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble) are auditioned groups with auditions held a day or two before classes start each semester. The concert band is a non-auditioned group that also meets both semesters. All of these groups meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays both semester.

In addition to the marching band and concert bands, ECU has two jazz bands and a full orchestra. More information about ECU ensembles can be found at www.ecu.edu/cs-cfac/music/ensembles/index.cfm

I plan to audition for the symphonic bands at ECU but the audition times are during band camp. What do I do?
Students who need to audition for the ECU School of Music will need to notify their rank leader and the TA in charge of their section of the time conflict. Once this has been done, these students will be permitted to be absent from band camp during their audition time.

Is there a Band Parents or Boosters organization?
Yes, but not in the traditional “high school” sense! The university funds the band program and most of our logistical needs are met by service organizations and student staff. However, beginning in 2010, a wonderful group of parents began a grassroots organization to collect food and donations to provide a tailgate meal for the band before EVERY home game! Parents and supporters who are interested in helping with this should contact Sherri Lamm at sherriblamm@gmail.com.

Information about costs and expenses will be made available in the Preseason Training Camp Guide in early July.

Can I request an appearance by the Marching Pirates?
The Marching Pirates are available on a limited basis to perform at certain events outside their ECU obligations. Availability of all or part of the Marching Pirates is based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the following:

• Financial and logistical support
• The nature, location and purpose of the event
• The Marching Pirates’ athletic and academic schedule

For more information, please contact Mr. Staub, Associate Director of Bands and Director of the ECU Marching Pirates, at staubw@ecu.edu or 252-328-6982.