Frequently Asked Questions
What does the TMB do?
How do I become a member of the TMB?
How much does membership in the TMB cost?
Are there requirements for potential members of the TMB?
Do I have to be a music major?
Can Spring Admits join?
How much time does the TMB require during the school year?
Do I have to take marching band as a class?
What is band camp?
Where do I stay during Band Camp?
What instruments does the TMB march?
Should I bring my own instrument?
What if I play an instrument that does not march in the TMB?
When are auditions held?
When is band camp? When are trips? When is (insert event here)?
What does the TMB do?
As a member of the TMB, you will join the ranks of hundreds of Trojans before you that have represented USC at every football game, both home and away, since 1987. Aside from football, we proudly play for other sports and school related events throughout the year. TMB members also have the opportunity to participate in other exciting gigs that have ranged from performing at the Academy Awards with Beyonce to appearing on Fox’s “The Masked Singer.”
How do I become a member of the TMB?
In order to become a member you must complete the Band Camp Reply Form, which is sent out the summer before joining the band. To receive the Band Camp Reply Form, all you need to do is fill out the interest form on the “Join Now” page. If you have any questions about joining, feel free to contact the TMB recruitment team at tmbrecruit@gmail.com or (213) 740-6317.
How much does membership in the TMB cost?
The only expense for joining the band is the $75 Spirit Pack, which includes a red gig bag, TMB hat, two TMB red shirts, and a pair of black sunglasses. All marching members, with the exception of Silks, need their own pair of all-black tennis shoes for their uniform. If you choose to join the Silk section, you will need to purchase the $100 Silk Spirit Pack which includes a backpack, all white shoes, and other required pieces of the uniform.
Are there requirements for potential members of the TMB?
All new members are required to attend band camp. Other than that, you are not required to have any marching or music experience; we’ll teach you everything you need to know!
Do I have to be a music major?
No, you don’t have to be a music major to join the band; you don’t even need to have any prior music experience! Only about 7% of TMB members are music majors. In fact, a large portion of our members are engineers.
Can spring admits join?
Yes! The process for joining the band in the spring is slightly different than the fall, so please reach out to our recruitment team at tmbrecruit@gmail.com and they will give you more information about joining as a spring admit.
How much time does the TMB require during the school year?
During the fall, we have weekly practices on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4-6 pm. We also practice on Saturdays, but times may vary depending on the time of the football game. During the spring semester, we have basketball band and concert band. Basketball band meets once a week on Tuesdays from 4:00pm-6pm. Concert band meets once a week on Wednesdays from 7:00pm-10:00pm.
Do I have to take marching band as a class?
No, you are not required to take marching band as a class.
What is band camp?
Band camp is the “training camp” for the TMB. Band Camp is traditionally held the week before fall classes begin. During this week, new members will learn our marching style, as well as important pieces of music like our fight songs. Please note, band members are required to attend every day of band camp. Click here to view a Sample Band Camp Itinerary!
Where do I stay during Band Camp?
The band helps facilitate early move-in for students with USC housing or with booking a room at the nearby USC Hotel until official move-in, which is usually the Wednesday of Band Camp. Both of these options require a per-night fee of $75.
What instruments does the TMB march?
Woodwinds: Flute/Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone and Tenor Saxophone
Brass: Mellophone (French Horn), Trumpet, Trombone, and Sousaphone (Tuba)
Percussion: Snare, Quad, Bass, and Cymbals
Auxiliary: Silks (Tall Flags)
Should I bring my own instrument?
All members of the TMB are provided instruments for use at official TMB events such as games and gigs. A security deposit will be collected, which will be returned at the end of the student’s time in the band. However, there are some members who do choose to use their own instruments, but it is not required.
What if I play an instrument that does not march in the TMB?
We encourage you to learn a new instrument here! It is actually common for our members to play a new instrument when they join, especially since we require no musical experience at all, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know. If you are not interested in learning a new instrument, you are also welcome to join the USC Silks.
When are auditions held?
Twirler auditions – Twirlers audition in the spring semester, usually coinciding with Drum Major tryouts.
Percussion Auditions – The drumline auditions the first day of drumline band camp (two days before general band camp begins). This audition is not required to join the TMB, but it is required for instrument placement within the drumline.
All other section auditions – The TMB does not require auditions to join any section. Certain sections will host informal auditions during band camp simply to assign parts based on previous musical ability. Marching experience is not a factor!
When is band camp? When are trips? When is (insert event here)?
All band camp dates, games, rehearsals, trips, etc can be found on our calendar. If you have any questions about events that are not yet listed on the calendar, feel free to email tmb@usc.edu.