Bearcat Bands Offerings

The University of Cincinnati Bearcat Spirit Band, Marching and Basketball, is the largest and most visible organization within the Bearcat Bands with a 2021 membership of over 250 students. The band is comprised of students from all over the UC Main campus, UC Blue Ash and UC Clermont, and Greater Cincinnati Collegiate Connection schools such as NKU, Xavier, and Cincinnati State. Although some of our members are music majors at the internationally recognized College-Conservatory of Music, the overwhelming majority major are in just about every other program of study available at UC. Many are in fraternities, sororities, honoraries, and other student groups. All participate for the love of the activity and take considerable pride in representing the University of Cincinnati through music as well as providing entertainment, positive public relations, and enthusiastic support.

The basic membership commitment is performing in both the Marching Band and in one of the Basketball Bands. All members are encouraged to continue playing in the spring semester with participation in a Concert or Jazz band. Complete Spirit Band commitment requirements will be provided to all newly accepted members. It is not necessary to be in Spirit Band (Marching/Basketball) to be in any other ensemble we offer.

Marching Band is available for one or two credits and meets on Fall Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30 PM and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in Fall & Spring plus for performances at home games. Summer preseason camp schedules are provided to every member. It’s not uncommon for us to also attend full-band away games, including bowl trips. Occasional exhibition performances and parades are also scheduled. Even so, participation in the Bearcat Marching Band involves less time than most competitive high school marching bands!

Basketball Band (aka Pep Band) is really the entire Marching Band simply divided into smaller bands. Each band receives a list of game assignments in the fall and meets for rehearsal prior to each assigned game. Opportunities for post-season tournament travel are usually anticipated!

Member costs include shoes, gloves, and other apparel/accessories. Some marching instruments are available to students of the Bearcat Bands at no cost (ex. sousaphone, mellophone, baritone). Complete costs will be provided to all newly accepted members.

• Fall only: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6 to 8:30 PM & Wednesdays 6 to 8:00 PM
• Fall Percussion sectionals are held Tuesdays thru Thursdays at 5:30 PM
• Fall Color Guard and Feature Twirler sectionals are TBA
• Football and Basketball rehearsals and performances are variable, but generally include all home games and some away in the fall, winter, and spring
• Participation in various small “gigs” as assigned
• Other off-campus exhibitions and parades
• ENSM 2071
• 1-2 credits
• Full semester
• Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts

Bearcat Pep (Basketball only) Band has a prerequisite of Director approval. Generally, but not exclusively, this is reserved for members that have been in Marching Band in a prior fall semester, but are unable to continue participating due to a long-distance co-op or other discussed and approved circumstance.

• ENSM 2072
• 1 credit
• Full semester
• Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts

The Bearcat Fall Concert Band is a half-semester ensemble committed to the developing musicianship of its members and the performance of fine music representative of the rich heritage of the wind band. The band generally performs twice: once at the UC Veterans Day Ceremony and once for an end-of-semester winter holiday concert. It is not necessary to be in Spirit Band (Marching/Basketball) to be in Fall Concert Band or any other ensemble we offer.

• Mondays 4:40 to 6:55 PM
• ENSM 2073
• 1 credit
• Half semester (rehearsals begin Monday, 20 October 2025)
• Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
• Performance calendar: See the Bearcat Bands - Campus Life | University of Cincinnati (uc.edu)

Fall 2025 auditions: https://uc.campuslabs.com/engage/news/268765

The Bearcat Fall Jazz Band is a half-semester big band ensemble committed to the developing musicianship of its members and the performance of fine music representative of the rich heritage of jazz. The band generally performs once for an end-of-semester winter holiday concert. It is not necessary to be in Spirit Band (Marching/Basketball) to be in Fall Jazz Band or any other ensemble we offer.

• Mondays 7:05 to 9:20 PM
• ENSM 2074
• 1 credit
• Half semester (rehearsals begin Monday, 20 October 2025)
• Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
• Performance calendar: See the Bearcat Bands - Campus Life | University of Cincinnati (uc.edu)

Fall 2025 auditions: https://uc.campuslabs.com/engage/news/263323

The Bearcat Wind Ensemble is the premier Bearcat Bands ensemble. Consisting of the most outstanding wind and percussion performers generally not majoring in music on campus, the group performs the finest available repertory for wind band and is committed to only the highest musical standards. Though fully instrumented as a smaller one-or-two persons per part wind ensemble-style group, in addition to exploring traditional and contemporary works for full band the ensemble also explores some chamber music representing a variety of periods and styles.

Two concert cycles are generally projected with one performance in February and another near the end of the semester.

• Tuesdays 7:30 to 9:15 PM
• ENSM 2077
• 1 credit
• Full semester
• Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
• Performance calendar: See the Bearcat Bands - Campus Life | University of Cincinnati (uc.edu)

Spring 2026 auditions: to be announced

The Bearcat Spring Concert Band is a large ensemble committed to the developing musicianship of its members and the performance of fine music representative of the rich heritage of the wind band.

One concert cycle is generally projected with a performance near the end of the semester.

• Tuesdays 5:30 to 7:15 PM
• ENSM 2076
• 1 credit
• Full semester
• Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
• Performance calendar: See the Bearcat Bands - Campus Life | University of Cincinnati (uc.edu)

Spring 2026 auditions: https://uc.campuslabs.com/engage/news/268765

The Bearcat Spring Jazz Bands are big band ensembles committed to the developing musicianship of its members and the performance of fine music representative of the rich heritage of jazz. One concert cycle is generally projected with an additional performance occurring mid-semester. The Late Band is geared for those with the most mature technique and musicianship.

Though fully instrumented as traditional big bands, in addition to exploring traditional and contemporary works for full band the ensembles may also explore some combo music representing a variety of periods and styles.

• Mondays 4:40 to 6:25 PM
• ENSM 2074
• 1 credit
• Full semester
• Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
• Performance calendar: See the Bearcat Bands - Campus Life | University of Cincinnati (uc.edu)

• Mondays 6:30 to 8:45 PM
• ENSM 2075
• 1 credit
• Full semester
• Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
• Performance calendar: See the Bearcat Bands - Campus Life | University of Cincinnati (uc.edu)

Spring 2026 auditions: https://uc.campuslabs.com/engage/news/263323

The Bearcat Brass Choir is committed to the developing musicianship of its members and the performance of fine music representative of the rich heritage of brass playing. One concert cycle is generally projected.

Though it's intended to be instrumented as a traditional brass choir with trumpets, horns, trombones, euphoniums, and tubas exploring traditional and contemporary works for full ensemble, the group may also explore music representing a variety of periods and styles for smaller instrumentation.

• Thursdays 7:30 to 9:15 PM
• ENSM 2073-001
• 1 credit
• Full semester
• Breadth of Knowledge Areas: FA Fine Arts
• Performance calendar: TBA

Spring 2026 auditions: https://uc.campuslabs.com/engage/news/268765

Bearcat Percussion Ensembles provide performing opportunities during the winter months. They are appropriate for those developing their skills as well as for more experienced players to rehearse and perform in ensembles created and tailored to their abilities.

Performances are tailored to the interests of each ensemble.

• Days/times this will be offered are TBA
• ENSM 2073-002
• 1 credit
• Full semester
• Performance calendar: TBA

Contact Associate Director Mr. Alex Beltran to share your interest: beltraas@ucmail.uc.edu

Bearcat Marching Percussion Techniques class provide opportunities for development during the winter months. They are appropriate for those developing their skills from scratch wanting to audition for Marching Band membership as well as for more experienced players.

• Thursdays 5:30 to 7:15 PM
• ENSM 2071-002
• 1 credit
• Full semester

Contact Associate Director Mr. Alex Beltran to share your interest: beltraas@ucmail.uc.edu

Instrumental Ensembles are coached by a staff member of the Bearcat Bands and annually formed based on student interest. One student is named the leader of each group.

Concurrent participation in Spirit (Marching & Basketball) Band, Concert Band, or Jazz Band is strongly encouraged.

Ensembles formed in recent years include Trombone Choir, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Choir, and Trumpet Choir.

• Days/times these will be offered are TBA
• These offerings are potentially available for credit; discuss with the band director
• Full or partial semester
• Inquire about participation by contacting the Band Office at 513-556-BAND (2263) or BearcatBands@ucmail.uc.edu and, if one is listed, by contacting the appropriate student listed below
  • If the ensemble you are interested in is not currently listed, then let's talk about creating it!
• Performance calendar: TBA

Bearcat Color Guard Techniques is for both the performer that wants to continue learning and have the potential opportunity to perform during the winter months as well as someone interested in learning about Color Guard from scratch and auditioning for Color Guard membership in the future.

Special performances, though not guaranteed, by some or all members may occur at selected pregames or halftimes at one or two UC Men's and Women's Basketball games.

• Wednesdays 6:00 to 8:00 PM
• ENSM 2071-001
• 1 credit
• Full semester

Contact Assistant Director Ms. Andrea Meyer to share your interest: meyer4ay@ucmail.uc.edu

The Drum Major Society offers a training and tryout program that is designed to assist both seasoned and inexperienced Drum Major candidates with leadership skills, understanding basic style, technique, and pattern construction.

• Days/times this will be offered are TBA
• This offering is not available for credit and requires a small payment to The Drum Major Society
• Partial semester
• Learn more here: https://drummajorsociety.org/

There is no better way to stay musically involved than to join a community band such as the one offered through the UCBAA and the UC Bearcat Bands. The UC Community Band operates in this capacity from May through August each year. The band typically rehearses on Wednesday evenings. We perform about 4-5 times in a variety of arts centers, parks and community centers throughout the Tri-State.

Learn more: http://www.ucalumniband.org/community-band.html