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No Matter Your Major, We Have a Place for You

The EKU Band Program offers an artistic environment in which to learn, grow, and make life-long friends. Opportunities exist for performing in one of our outstanding concert ensembles or athletic bands.

Outreach

Consider our time-honored events for pre-college instrumentalists:

Bands

Ensembles are open to all university students. Some ensembles require an audition at the beginning of each semester, and certain bands offer scholarship opportunities

The Marching Colonels is the largest and most visible spirit organization on campus, representing a wide variety of majors from each college within the university. Known as the “Pride of Kentucky,” the band entertains thousands of fans at football games, community performances, and regional high school marching band festivals. The Marching Colonels offers EKU students a social experience unlike any other on campus, and finding life-long friends is just the beginning. Unlike the high school experience, the Marching Colonels perform four to six shows each season. EKU takes care of its students, and has a dedicated certified Athletic Trainer on staff to help prevent and manage injury and health concerns.

Benefits of Participating in the Marching Colonels:

  • $500 Fall scholarship award for participation
  • Early EKU course registration
  • Free early move-in to your EKU dorm
  • Free clothing and swag
  • Free Gameday food and drinks
  • Free Band Camp food (the week before classes start)
  • Free travel
  • Free access to year-round Athletic Training services
  • Perform with 150 friends to thousands
  • Positive and FUN rehearsal and performance environment
  • Support to navigate your first year (academic, emotional, personal, and health)
  • Develop leadership skills in the student leadership program.
  • Additional spring scholarship for participation in the Maroon Machine (pep band)

Course Information: MUS 256
Meeting Time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 4:40-6:40 pm

How to join?

  • Complete the Member Registration Form here.
  • Enroll in the class: MUS 256 during your summer Freshman orientation.
  • Complete an annual physical prior to Band Camp. If you can’t do this with your local doctor, a physical will be scheduled with EKU Heath Services for free when you arrive on campus. Marching Colonel participation is contingent on medical clearance through the physical. 
  • Complete the Medical History Questionnaire prior to Band Camp.
  • Come visit the band table during your orientation day!
  • Get connected to your section leaders.
  • Check out music and choreography work posted on the class Canvas page.
  • Maroonettes, guard, twirlers, and drumline: Participate in summer clinics and/or auditions.

The short answer is YES! The class meets in the late afternoons Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and we have continuity rehearsal on home football game days. You will have more than enough time for other activities and academics. Marching Colonel members traditionally rank very high in every academic discipline. You can do it!

No! The Marching Colonels is open to any EKU student in good standing, regardless of major. In fact, over 65% of the band are non-music majors. We encourage all enthusiastic student musicians and artists to join, regardless of their academic choice.

No! There is no audition for marching band winds and percussion. If you have participated in band in high school, you are eligible and encouraged to participate in the Marching Colonels. Even if you did not march in high school, we have a place for you!

There are placement auditions for the drumline and entry auditions for our visual teams: Color Guard, Maroonettes, and Feature Twirlers. Here is more Drumline and Visual Team information.

There are no upfront costs to being a Marching Colonel, except purchasing a pair of marching shoes ($40). You earn a $500 fall scholarship by participating!

  • Band Camp starts Sunday, August 10, 2025.
  • Band Camp typically starts Sunday, one week before EKU classes start.
  • Marching Colonels students move into their dorm room early for free. Early Move In is on Sunday, one week before classes begin, during the first day of band camp.
  • All band camp meals are free.
  • All band camp housing is free.
  • Annual Physical and Health History forms are due at Band Camp Check-in.
  • Band camp includes Big E Welcome events. We help you prepare for your first semester on campus, and connect you to all the resources you need.
  • Check out the Preseason Band Camp Schedule-at-a-Glance.
    More Band Camp information is here.

The Maroon Machine performs at men’s and women’s basketball games, as well as women’s volleyball matches. As part of an NCAA Division I program, band members also travel to support teams during annual conference tournaments, including the NCAA basketball tournament.

Who are we?

  • Open to all woodwind, brass, and auxiliary percussion EKU students without audition
  • Open to drum set and Maroonette dancers with audition
  • Students may audition for limited $500+ spring scholarships (during the first week of fall classes)
  • Many members are part of the Marching Colonels, but this is not required.
  • Free tournament travel
  • Free food at double headers
  • Free uniforms

Course Information: MUS 250
Meeting Time: Friday, 2:30-3:45 pm

How to join?

Sign up for the class! You also should contact Dr. Wiggins and express your interest in the group so you can get on the communication contact lists. Students are not required to attend every game. A rotation policy is set up so students can fully participate in the class and balance other class responsibilities. If you are interested in a spring scholarship, Auditions are done at the end of the first week of classes. Scholarship audition information is provided on the class Canvas page (register for the class for access). If you need help, please contact Dr. Wiggins.

The Eastern Kentucky University Concert Band (EKUCB) is a non-auditioned group of wind players and percussionists consisting of music and non-music majors. An audition is encouraged for part assignments. The ensemble performs two concerts each semester presenting exciting and high caliber wind band literature. Flexible instrumentation and player rotation provide members of the ensemble with a variety of responsibilities, challenges, and playing experiences.

Course information: MUS 255B/455B
Meeting Time: Monday and Wednesday 2:30-3:45 pm

How to Join?

If you are interested in being a member of one of our concert bands for the fall semester, we encourage you to go ahead and register for the appropriate band class(es). Ensemble auditions are required for all music majors, minors, and those in applied studio lessons. These students are expected to keep their schedules open / flexible to play in instrumental ensembles (Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra) until audition results have been posted.

Large ensemble auditions take place every fall and spring semester and are administered by EKU’s conducting faculty and supported by the applied faculty. We invite you to audition and be a part of the EKU Bands network and legacy!

For more information, contact Dr. Rebekah Daniel at rebekah.daniel@eku.edu.

The Eastern Kentucky University Wind Ensemble (EKUWE), led by Dr. Rebekah A. Daniel, is the university’s premier wind band. Comprised of the finest undergraduate and graduate wind players and percussionists, membership is determined by audition.

Dedicated to artistic excellence, EKUWE performs a diverse range of wind music, spanning all periods and instrumental forces, with a strong commitment to expanding the repertoire. The ensemble regularly collaborates with renowned composers, soloists, and conductors and has completed several recording projects.

EKUWE has been featured multiple times at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference and the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conference. The ensemble remains active in commissioning new works, with recent and ongoing projects involving composers Ben Horne, Leslie Galbraith, Jiyoun Chung, and Marie A. Douglas.

Each semester, EKUWE presents multiple concerts both on and off campus, engaging in tours and outreach performances that extend its impact beyond the university community.

How to Join?
All prospective members must audition at the start of each semester. We invite you to audition and become part of the EKU Bands network and legacy!

For more information, contact Dr. Rebekah Daniel at rebekah.daniel@eku.edu.

Audition Information

EKU Bands Faculty & Staff

  • Rebekah Daniel
    Director of Bands
    rebekah.daniel@eku.edu
  • Timothy Wiggins
    Director of Athletic Bands
    timothy.wiggins@eku.edu
  • Brittany Hyland
    Director of the EKU Performing Arts Athletic Training Clinic
    brittany.hyland@eku.edu
  • Alex Childers
    Color Guard Instructor
    alexandra.childers@eku.edu
  • Alex Dietz
    Band Graduate Assistant 
    alex_dietz6@mymail.eku.edu
  • Andi Wilson 
    Band Graduate Assistant
    andrea_wilson246@mymail.eku.edu

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EKU Bands

Foster Building
Room 101

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