Join us for our Homecoming events!Did you know? The first recorded performance of the UC band was November 6, 1920. And the first performance of a UC "alumni band" was November 6, 1971!
We will be hosting our annual Friday night reunion, and marching in the parade and at halftime. We also hold a tailgate in collaboration with the Red and Black Brigade. You may choose to participate in the events of your choice! We only require a Saturday morning rehearsal for those who choose to march in the parade and/or at halftime. You will need to pay dues in order to march with us on gameday. You will be able to pay your dues via the Homecoming registration form. |
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Friday, October 7
Highly-Recommended Music Rehearsal (optional)
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Details to be announced. Information below is from 2021.
This is an optional, 1-hour music rehearsal open to anyone who is performing on Gameday. There is no cost to attend. One or more of our alumni drum majors will run the rehearsal. We highly recommend attending this rehearsal because we are unable to host a music rehearsal prior to our joint on-field rehearsal with the undergraduate band. Those who are borrowing instruments will need to pick them up at The Cage (located outside Armory Fieldhouse, see map under check-in) and drop them off afterward. If you have accessibility concerns and need an instrument brought to the band room, please contact Natalie Ochmann to make accommodations. |
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Alumni Band ReunionDetails to be announced. Information below is from 2021.
Come hang out with your friends for a night of good food, good drinks, good music, and great people! Reconnect with people from your days in band, meet fellow band alumni from different eras, and enjoy mingling and catching up on old times. Catering will be provided by Keystone Bar & Grill, with vegetarian options available. A cash bar will be available at the venue's in-house pub. We will hold a split-the-pot raffle for in-person and virtual guests using cash or Venmo. All proceeds from our raffle are immediately deposited into our scholarship fund to benefit undergraduate members of the Bearcat Bands. Parking is available in the back of the Irish Heritage Center, along with an accessible elevator. Guests without accessibility needs can enter through the front entrance along Eastern Avenue. |
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Saturday, October 8
Check-inDetails to be announced.
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ParkingWe highly recommend you pre-purchase parking on the athletic department website, as parking garages will be opening to the public around 6am. Cash parking is available only at Eden Garage. Parking in Calhoun, Campus Green, CCM, Corry, University and Varsity Village Garages is by pass only. See a parking map.
Street parking (free) may be available in surrounding campus areas. |
The Cage at Armory Fieldhouse
RehearsalDetails to be announced. Times below are from 2021.
6:00-6:10am - Warmup, Armory Fieldhouse 6:10-6:30am - Head to Nippert Stadium 6:30am - On-field rehearsal with undergraduate band, Nippert Stadium 8:00-8:45am - On-field music rehearsal, Nippert Stadium 9:00am - BREAK Nippert Stadium
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ParadeDetails to be announced. Times below are from 2021.
10:30 - 11:00am - Line up for parade (Calhoun St. at Corbett Dr.) 12:00pm - Homecoming parade (around campus) We will have two trucks available for those with accessibility needs. If you have not already, please contact Natalie Ochmann to confirm your spot on the trucks. |
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TailgateDetails to be announced. Times below are from 2021.
1:00pm - Lunch at tailgate (The Grid - Sigma Sigma Commons Northeast Corner) 2:30pm - Sigma Sigma performance (Sigma Sigma Commons) 2:30-2:45pm - Line up for Down the Drive (Sigma Sigma Commons) - THIS STEP IS CRITICAL. The parade will let out on Woodside Drive, near the Lindner College of Business. At this point, you are free to tailgate, watch the band’s Catwalk and Sigma Sigma performances, or rest up for the game. We will provide a lunch to performing, dues-paying members. TICKETING + FAST PASS We highly recommend that those with season tickets / friends + family tickets / band comp tickets / etc. utilize the Fast Pass option to get tickets scanned prior to the game. See the athletic department website for more details. The UCBAA picked up the performing member tickets on your behalf and will get them scanned. If you purchased friends+family tickets with an attending family member, see the athletic department's guidance on transferring tickets. DOWN THE DRIVE We will line up to enter the stadium with the band in Sigma Sigma Commons, outside the Lindner College of Business, at 2:30pm. If you have performing member tickets (which will be in the UCBAA's possession), it is CRITICAL that you arrive on time to march down the drive. You will not be able to enter the stadium if you are not in the block. Game tickets will be scanned following our entrance into the stadium. |
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Pregame + Halftime PerformanceDetails to be announced. Times below are from 2021.
2:45pm - March "Down the Drive" into Nippert w/ undergrad band (Corry Blvd.) 3:00pm - Charge Down the Steps (if you would like to join in the fun!) & pre-game performance (alma mater + Star-Spangled Banner) 3:30pm - Kick off vs. Tulsa 3:30pm - During game: perform in stands or just watch 10 MINUTES ON GAME CLOCK - Performing members must meet at TBD to head down to the field. Those with accessibility concerns will need to use the elevators on the north end of the stadium to gain access to the field. A UCBAA volunteer will assist. HALFTIME PERFORMANCE Performing members and Legacy Line (non-marching line) will need to meet near the band's section at 10:00 on the game clock. If you are not present when the band exits the stands for halftime, you will not be able to go onto the field. POST GAME Those who did not borrow instruments are free to leave following halftime. However, the Rockwern Band Center will not be opened until the game is over. Those who borrowed an instrument should return instruments & equipment to The Cage near Armory Fieldhouse following the game. |
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Gameday Essentials
Jackets + UniformWe require all marching members to wear our red UCBAA jacket during performances. Legacy versions of the jacket are acceptable.
You may wear comfortable sneakers and jeans with the jacket. If the weather is cold, you may wear a coat on top (may we recommend your band jacket, if you still have one?). We may have jackets available to rent on gameday for $10 on a first come, first serve basis. Cash or Venmo accepted. |
InstrumentsIf you have requested to borrow an instrument for Homecoming, you will pick up your instrument and check-in at The Cage in Armory Fieldhouse on both Friday and Saturday.
After the football game, you will return your instrument to the same location. |
Membership DuesWe require all marching members to pay membership dues to the UCBAA. Dues are $30 for individuals, $50 for couples, and $20.22 for 2021 graduates.
You will be able to pay your dues using the Homecoming registration form. Not sure if you've paid this year? Check out our membership page for a listing of current members. |
MusicDetails to be announced. Information below is from 2021.
We have music available for you to print and practice ahead of gameday. During the parade, we play our school fight songs and "Down the Drive." During halftime, we will play Reeling in the Years, Children of Sanchez and You Can Call Me Al. Cuts as follows: Reeling in the Years Play the beginning to the downbeat of measure 25 only. Children of Sanchez Play the first four bars (it’s percussion only) then jump to the pick-up of [40]. Play to the end. You Can Call Me Al Play the first two bars then jump and play measures 7-12. Instead of playing measure 13, jump to measure 21 and play through measure 32. Jump to [37] and play to the end. No repeat, take second ending. |
Drill Charts
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can i march in the game if i don't march in the parade?
Yes! You can choose to march in the parade, on the field, both, or neither! do i need a ticket if i am marching in the game?
Yes. Due to security concerns, everyone will need a ticket to enter Nippert Stadium. If you have season tickets, or have obtained a ticket through other means, you will not need to purchase one through us. If you do not otherwise have a ticket, you will need one to enter. Tickets for performing members will be seated next to the band in the student section. You may play stands tunes. These seats should only be used by performing members of the Alumni Band. Follow this link to purchase your game tickets. Use code UCBAND2021 to purchase. can i still get a ticket to the game if i am not marching in the game?
Yes! You can purchase one of our Friends & Family tickets for a reduced rate of $30. Your seat will be in Section 102. Follow this link to purchase Friends & Family tickets. Use code UCBAND1 to purchase tickets. can i get tickets for my family? my friends?
Absolutely! Our Friends & Family tickets are located in section 102 of Nippert Stadium. Follow this link to purchase Friends & Family tickets. Use code UCBAND1 to purchase. what if i am marching for pregame / halftime, but want to sit with my family during the game?
If you want to sit with your friends & family during the game, rather than play stands tunes with the band or sit with the band as a whole during the game, you should purchase a Friends & Family ticket for yourself as well. Tickets for performing members will be located in the student section. Tickets for Friends & Family will be located in section 102. It is imperative that if you want to sit with your family or friends that you purchase an extra Friends & Family ticket for yourself as well. Follow this link to purchase Friends & Family tickets. Use code UCBAND1 to purchase. Use code UCBAND2021 to sit with the Alumni Band as a whole. Do not order these tickets for your friends / family. These are only for performing members. If you already have season tickets, or have obtained tickets through another means, you do not need to purchase any additional tickets. Do I have to purchase a ticket in advance for the REUNION?
Advance registration is required. Registrations are now closed for 2021. can i pay for gameday the day of homecoming?
No. There are several reasons we cannot accept registration for gameday the day of the event. We need the designated lead time in order to:
There are many details that go into planning a large event like Homecoming weekend. While we would love to have the flexibility to accommodate last minute attendees, it just is not possible to allow walk-ups the day of. Even if you tell us in advance, we need the actual advanced registration in order to make sure not only are you taken care of, but that the event as a whole can run smoothly. Is there a uniform for gameday?
Yes, there is a uniform for Gameday. It is:
October 8 is the last day to order a jacket, so register today! So if i march, do i have to wear the uniform the whole day?
Absolutely not! Uniforms only need to be worn during performances. You are free to remove your jacket or even change your outfit during any other part of the day. i don't really want a strict uniform code. what's the deal on that?
Yeah... we don't really have a uniform code. You can drink alcohol, PDA is what it is, and... whatever. While we would ask that you remember that you are representing the organization, there is no set list of rules for you to follow while in uniform. We are MUCH more relaxed than you remember from your days in the undergrad band. I want to participate, but i have young children. what can i do?
We have several options available for those who will have young children with them, but still want to participate:
what if it's hot? Do we have to wear long pants? what if it's cold? can we wear a coat over our jacket?
Yes, while performing you must wear your uniform. Shorts are not to be worn while performing. The jacket we have selected as part of our uniform is called a "three seasons jacket." It is lightweight enough to not be too hot during warm weather, loose enough to be able to layer underneath in cold weather, and can also serve as a rain jacket in the case of inclement weather. It must be worn during performances (parade and on the field). Outside of performances, members are free to remove their jacket, or even change their outfits if they wish. The logistics of carrying additional clothing however, is the responsibility of the individual member. Why can't i just order a performing member ticket for myself or my family even if we're not performing? why didn't you send me my performing member ticket? when will you give it to me?
Tickets for performing members are printed, hard copy tickets. They are picked up by a member of the board the week before Homecoming and are handed en masse to a gate agent as the band marches into Nippert. Per our agreement with the Ticket Office, these tickets will not be handed out or mailed to members prior to the game. Those entering the stadium via the "Down the Drive" march who have obtained tickets through other means will need to turn in their tickets Saturday morning at the rehearsal. I want to perform with the alumni band this year, but i don't have an instrument. Can you help?
Yes, we can! We have a variety of instruments available for members to borrow. The Alumni Band maintains a collection of the most-requested instruments. In addition, Buddy Rogers has generously agreed to offer our members FREE weekend rentals for Homecoming weekend.* We may also borrow from local high school bands if necessary. Be sure to note on the registration form what your preferred instrument is, and whether or not you need one. We will take care of finding & assigning you an instrument. *As one of the undergraduate band's partners of their Instrument Campaign, Buddy Rogers is offering FREE rentals to Alumni Band members for Homecoming weekend. In lieu of a rental fee, they are asking Alumni Band members for a suggested donation of $20 or more to the band's instrument campaign. Click here for more information on the campaign or to donate. I'M PERFORMING AT HALFTIME BUT CAN'T TRAVERSE THE STAIRS DOWN TO THE FIELD - IS THERE AN ELEVATOR?
There is an elevator on the north end (scoreboard end) of the stadium that can be used to access the lower level. Anyone using these elevators must be on the field by 3 minutes left in the 2nd quarter (3 minutes before halftime) or they will not be allowed down until after halftime is already started, due to security concerns. any suggestions for parking either friday or saturday?
The Rockwern Band Center is located at 147 Corry Boulevard, Cincinnati, OH 45219 On Friday: Calhoun Garage is the closest to the band room - they are directly connected on Level 2. For reunion specific parking suggestions please click the link in the schedule above. Saturday: If you get there early, Calhoun or Corry Garage MAY be open, but it will close for football season ticket holders only at some point in the day. U-Square garages on Calhoun/McMillan are probably the next closest cash garages. |
