University of California Marching Band

Sometimes when I am walking to band practice in the afternoon after a long day of class, I stop for a minute, turn around, and see the glorious view of the Campanile, students studying on the grass, and in the distance, the sun setting over the Golden Gate. I think, how lucky am I? I go to this amazing University and I earned the chance to play with the “Pacesetter of College Marching Bands.” At practice, I get to hang out and work hard with my 230 best friends, play music and prepare to represent Cal in uniform at the next football game.

The experiences I’ve gained in the Cal Band can’t be summed up in just a few short paragraphs, it would take volumes! I’ve learned small things, like how to march high step, how to write out music on the computer, how to use our show-charting software, how to dance to hip hop in full uniform in front of 70,000 fans, how to get my long hair back under my hat after our hat salute during Pre-game, how to twirl my uniform hat on one finger during the kickoff, and how to yell “GO BEARS!” with all my heart. Cal Band has also taught me bigger, lifelong lessons, like how to inspire my peers, work with adults, be a leader, and be a team player.

I hope to see you at the Fall Training Program, since I can’t wait to share all of these experiences with you, the next “newman class” of the Cal Band!

Tara Castro
Clarinet
4th Year, History and English

When I was accepted into Cal for the Spring semester, I was excited but a little worried. Being a Spring admit made me wonder if I would be behind other students and whether or not I could join band. However, neither of these things were an issue. Fall Extension made me feel like a Cal student because I got to take classes on campus and participate in all student events. Spring admits also join band the same way everyone else does. There were many Cal Band freshmen in extension that I became good friends with (including my current roommate!) I highly recommend Spring Admits to apply to the Extension Program and to try out for Cal Band their freshman year.

I did not have a marching band in high school and going to FTP Davis was a fast, challenging, and exciting way to learn all the marching fundamentals. Memorizing the songs were a little hard at first, but we played them so often that they quickly became part of my musical repertoire. Marching without a neck strap (all saxophones do this!) was challenging, but with a lot of practice, I soon developed awkward arm muscles to keep my horn high and flashy!

Pretty much everyone says this, but joining Cal Band was seriously one of the best decisions I've ever made. The best thing about joining is that everyone is eager to meet you and make you feel comfortable. You instantly gain a family of over 200 people and over the years, some amazing college memories.

Jenna Dockery
Alto Saxophone (Phonez!)
3rd Year, Anthropology

To be honest, I had never heard of Cal, much less of Cal Band, when I was applying to colleges. I was raised in the Los Angeles area and hardly knew of any schools but the local ones. My brother convinced me to apply even though I had heard Berkeley was very hard to get into and I didn’t think I could make the cut. I had no hope of getting in and was calm waiting for the admissions decision because I knew I had already been admitted to all the other UCs I applied to. When I first saw that ‘Congratulations’ at the beginning of the letter, I was overcome with unexpected joy and soon enough I was on my way to visit. I instantly fell in love with campus; the student body was energetic and passionate, the academics were top ranked and the campus was beautiful. I knew Cal was for me.

After already signing my statement of intent to register, I thought about maybe not doing band since I had already been in band for seven years and thought it was time to get involved in different activities. Once again, my brother urged me to submit an interest form for Cal Band and later an audition tape, but I was still dubious. I visited campus for CalSo and after watching the Cal Band perform, I fell in love with their energy and music. Coming to Cal was the best decision, but my experience would not be the same if I had not joined Cal Band.

I became part of the Phonez (Alto Sax) section but much more importantly I became part of the Cal Band family. I think leaving home isn’t easy for anyone and freshman year can often be the tough in terms of adjustment. Acknowledging this, I instantly had a network and family of 200+ people; it was a very welcoming environment that helped ease that transition from high school to college. Sure it is hard work and seemed very overwhelming at first but the good outweighs everything that may be of concern. Amongst the best parts of being in Cal Band are the road trips, the rush you get from performing in front of 70,000 people, free meals, and most importantly being able to do what you love as a musician in the company of some great people. The fact that Cal Band is student run adds to its awesomeness; I have been involved in structure since my first year and have come to greatly love and respect the hard work that it takes to keep such an organization running. Not only does the Cal Band provide entertainment to others but it lets us, the students, have a hand in the planning and execution of performances.

I am extremely proud to be part of this organization. I have met wonderful friends, developed valuable leadership skills, made important connections and have been immersed in the Spirit of California. Who knows where I will be 10 years from now. Who knows if I’ll be a businesswoman, a comedian, or a housewife with 7 kids. All I know for certain is that I will be a Golden Bear forever. Most importantly, I know that I will have memories and experiences from Cal Band that few can claim.

Brighitte Preciado
Alto Saxophone (Phonez!)
4th Year, Film Studies

It was almost pre-determined that I would become a Cal student. Not because my parents were alumni, or because I lived in the bay area, but because I was going to be an Engineer and I was not going to go to UCLA. The only real decision I had to make was whether to be in the Cal Band. At first, I was tired of band. I had done four years of high school marching band and I didn’t think I wanted four more. But when I saw the Cal Band perform at my CalSO I started to change my mind. I still didn’t want to march, but I wanted to play in the Straw Hat Band. Fortunately, they told me that to be in the Straw Hat Band, I had to be in the University of California Marching Band. Finally, I caved, and I made the best decision of my college career. I applied to join the Cal Band.

I was worried at first that I wouldn’t have time to be an Engineer. Cal Band takes a lot of time out of your life, and to be an Engineer you have to work hard to get good grades. But as a member of the Cal Band you get something that almost all Engineers miss out on—a life. You have friends, and go to parties, and generally have a lot more fun than any Engineer should.

Also, in the Cal Band I learned to love marching again. I eventually had the privilege to join the Stunt committee, where I helped chart halftime shows. Even while having fun with my Cal Band friends, and charting the amazingly popular Video Game Show, I still managed to maintain a 3.7 grade point average. As a band member, I was able to talk freely with older students in my major, and it was easy to find group partners who were also in the Cal Band. In the end I realized that I had nothing to worry about; being in band can go hand in hand with being a good student.

Colin Downs-Razouk
Alto Saxophone (Phonez!)
4th Year, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Since I’m from southern California, I always had the urge to escape the LA trend and head north for college. I knew the traditions of local schools, but even after being accepted, Cal was foreign. Cal Day changed that. Filled with blue, gold and GO BEARS, the spirit of Cal became one of the biggest reasons I would choose Cal over smaller liberal arts schools and the same reason I would join the band.

I thought that after four years of high school band I would want to do something different in college. After seeing several performances, from Cal Day to CalSO, and talking to various people, I decided to at least see how being in band would be. I showed up to FTP expecting it to be similar to high school-but it was so much more! Although in the beginning learning was difficult, it didn’t take long to realize how amazing the group was. From the friends to the game days to the incredible travel experiences, I can’t imagine my life without the Cal Band. I always have a familiar face in class, an older mentor, and crazy good times!

Malia McPherson
Clarinet
3rd Year, Molecular and Cell Biology

Although I had signed up to be a recruit on Cal Day, I was really reluctant to join Cal Band. I was worried that after 4 intense years of doing band in high school I was burnt out on the whole thing. I was also worried that doing band would take up too much of my time and I wouldn’t be able to handle the intense workload for which Berkeley is famous. However, after having completed two marching seasons of band, I know two things are for sure. First, joining Cal Band was the best decision I ever made and second, Cal Band is nothing like high school band.

As a student-run band, every member is encouraged to take part in all the responsibilities involved in putting together our pre-game and half-time shows for the football games. Performing at Memorial Stadium and really feeling like an important part of the football game is one of my favorite parts of being in band. We work very hard, but on game day, when it all comes together, it is more than worth it.

After every performance and game day, I get to enjoy the absolute best thing about being in Cal Band-- the people. Although it sounds cliché, the people I have met in band are some of the most interesting, energetic, and enthusiastic people I have ever met and probably that I will ever meet. Although my high school band was filled with mostly one group of people, Cal Band is filled with so many different people, and even though we are a large band, it is true that you really become friends with almost all of your fellow bandsmen. For me, because of the friends I have made and opportunities I get to take a part in, Cal Band has enhanced my experience here at Berkeley, and I am glad that despite my initial concerns I became a member of the best damn band in the land!

Sarah Coonley
Clarinet
3rd Year, Political Economy of Industrial Societies

Cal Band can be anything you want it to be. It can be the place you meet lifelong friends, an opportunity for numerous and incredibly singular leadership roles (try leading a group of 250 students in any other organization!), access to the most exciting athletic events all year-round, or even just a place to play music and take a break from school. It's time-consuming, challenging, and even heartbreaking (if you're watching Kevin Riley in the Oregon State game). It's also one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences Cal has to offer.

And because Cal Band has so much to offer it can be a home for anyone. Students come from different majors, with different interests, and have different backgrounds and all discover a unique role to play within the band. I came to Cal with only one year of high school marching band experience. I also knew little of Cal sports, blasphemous as that seems, and I entered as a spring admit through the Freshman Extension program. But through Cal Band I found best friends, earned the opportunity to march in some of the most exciting and innovative shows any college marching band has to offer, and even developed a healthy love of Cal sports.

The Cal Band will bring to you what has been a defining college experience for many others, including myself. Through the Cal Band I’ve been on ski trips to Tahoe and road trips to L.A., choreographed field shows for the band and taught recruits how to march, and sacrificed countless hours of sleep and in return gained many nights to remember. Regardless of whether it’s the band and these experiences that help define your college years or something else, it’s ultimately most important to find your niche at Cal. If you decide Cal Band is the way to do this, let me reassure you, Cal Band is in every way an unforgettable experience and one that will be special to you in an inimitable way.

With that said, I hope you’re excited to attend one of the best universities in the world and that I’ll also see you in the fall marching season. Go Bears!

Katherine Brittain
Alto Saxophone (Phonez!)
4th Year, Ethnic Studies and Conservation and Resource Studies