Auburn University Marching Band - Band Camp

Band Camp

Like the majority of high school and college marching bands, the AUMB has a preseason band camp for its members before fall classes begin. Generally band camp will begin about a week and a half before classes start. It is common for R.A.T.s and the Tiger Eyes to arrive a day before the returning members, normally referred to as Vets. Student leadership and percussion members generally arrive a few days earlier. There are numerous goals that the band works to accomplish during the week of band camp.

• New members will learn the marching style of the AUMB, which often differs at least slightly from their high school experience.
• The band learns the pregame show, including all music and drill.
• The band learns the first of many halftime shows to be performed that season, including all music and drill.
• Often the band will begin learning the second halftime show of the season before band camp is over.

Although the schedules vary slightly from year to year, once band camp is underway, it usually runs from about 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, every day, with the exception of Sunday mornings. It usually begins about a week to a week-and-a-half before the start of the semester and continues right up until the semester starts. While the first few days of band camp differ slightly (often concentrating more on marching fundamentals), here is a typical day at an AUMB Band Camp:

• R.A.T. Drills — While rehearsals normally start at 8:00 a.m., the R.A.T.s (see below) and many Vets arrive for R.A.T. Drills half an hour earlier. R.A.T. Drills typically involve some sort of game designed to help the rookie members get to know each other and the Vets. Also, the R.A.T.s will go over the songs, cheers, and traditions of Auburn University so that they will be better prepared for game day as a member of the band.

• Morning marching rehearsal — When the full band arrives, marching rehearsal gets underway as fast as possible. These rehearsals are intense and cover as much drill as possible. Often, especially during the earlier days of band camp, the band only sings their parts during this rehearsal, either leaving their instruments on the sideline or "air playing" their parts.

• Morning music rehearsal — After a couple hours, usually about 10:00 AM, the band meets at the Bibb-Graves Amphitheater for a music rehearsal. This rehearsal may include both the "stands tunes" that will be played when the band is not marching, and halftime show music to be played on the field. The band only rarely rehearses indoors, usually in instances of severe weather.

• Sectionals — Following lunch, the band meets in "sectionals." Here, each section can work on details of what each group needs to improve. Depending on the section, this time may be used to rehearse marching fundamentals, go over music, or work on the horn rocks that the band will use to give a visual flair to the songs played in the stands. Most of the band's sections have traditional sectional locations, such as the "Trombone Grove."

• Afternoon music or marching rehearsal — Following sectionals, the full band meets again, sometimes for another music rehearsal and sometimes for a marching rehearsal, dependent on what the directors feel the band needs. If the band is going over music only, this rehearsal is also held in Bibb-Graves Amphitheater. If this time is used as a marching rehearsal, it takes place at the Bodie Hinton Practice Field.

• Evening marching rehearsal — The last rehearsal of the day is held on the Practice Field. Band Camp is officially dismissed for the day usually around 8pm.

• R.A.T. Activities — Following the day's rehearsal, a social event known as a R.A.T. Activity is held somewhere in Auburn. While these are part of the R.A.T. Program, everyone in the band is encouraged to attend. The purpose of these R.A.T. Activities are to provide a chance for the band to relax after a hard day's work, and to help the R.A.T.s get to know more of the veteran marchers.

R.A.T. Activities include R.A.T. Parent Adoptions, the traditional campus-wide scavenger hunt, section dinners, bowling, and many other activities, typically lasting a couple hours. Afterwards, the band members return home to sleep before another rehearsal begins the next day. The week of band camp concludes with the annual R.A.T. Banquet. The R.A.T. Banquet is a dress-up event including a nice dinner, slide shows from the week, and the annual R.A.T. Awards. Band Camp is, of course, intended to give the AUMB the preparation necessary to successfully perform at Auburn Football games and other events. However, Band Camp is also a time when new members become a part of the AUMB. Lifelong friendships are often made during this time. The AUMB has been likened to a family, and Band Camp is when those bonds are made.