Pride of the Southland Marching Band Auditions
The Pride of the Southland Marching Band is open to students from across the University of Tennessee, including both music majors and non-music majors. Audition requirements vary depending on your academic program and area of interest.
2026 Pride of the Southland Marching auditions have concluded.
Details about the auditions for Fall 2027 will be posted in early 2027. In the meantime, prospective applicants are encouraged to review the information on this page and check back for updates.
Undergraduate Music Majors and Music Minors
Students planning to major or minor in music will complete their Pride of the Southland audition as part of their Natalie L. Haslam College of Music admissions audition process.
Auditions are offered in both in-person and virtual formats. Recorded Natalie L. Haslam College of Music auditions will also be considered for Pride of the Southland membership and marching band scholarships.
Undergraduate Non-Music Majors
Students who are not majoring in music may still audition for the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. All new members must have applied to, or been accepted by, the University of Tennessee before auditioning. Audition requirements vary by section.
Woodwinds and Brass
New non-music major woodwind and brass students must submit a video audition.
Video Audition Deadline for Fall 2027
To be determined.
Audition Requirements
Introduction
Begin your video with a short introduction that includes:
- Name
- Hometown
- High school
- Music selections you will perform
- Your most memorable band experience
- Why you want to be a member of the Pride
Chromatic Scale
Perform a two-octave chromatic scale ascending and descending in quarter notes.
Applicants should:
- Choose an octave range that fits their instrument
- Articulate each note
- Mark time while playing
- Position the camera so both embouchure and feet are visible
Performance Excerpts
Prepare:
- One technical excerpt
- One lyrical excerpt
Each excerpt should be approximately 2–3 minutes in length and may come from:
- A prepared solo
- A method book
- Honor band audition music
- Tennessee All-East excerpts
Recording Guidelines
- Combine your introduction, scale, and excerpts into one video
- Videos may be edited together from multiple takes
- Use an unlisted YouTube link
- Include your first and last name in the video description
- Position the camera to clearly show your embouchure, hands, and instrument
Applicants will submit their video link through the Pride audition form.
Review of audition videos will begin shortly after the deadline, and notifications of acceptance will begin near April 1. Late auditions may be accepted as space permits.
Interested in auditioning for the Drumline, Color Guard, or Majorettes? Check out those audition pages for more information.
Additional Information
- High school seniors interested in joining the Pride of the Southland are encouraged to apply to the University of Tennessee as early as possible. The undergraduate application deadline is December 15, with a November 1 deadline for scholarship consideration.
- Students interested in the Pride of the Southland should complete the appropriate audition process outlined above. Students interested only in concert ensembles do not need to audition for the Pride and may instead audition for concert bands during the first week of classes.