UH Bands and Spirit Groups

+ Who Can Join the Spirit of Houston Marching Band?

Any student who is admitted to the University of Houston Main campus regardless of their major/area of study.

+ Is there an audition to join the Spirit of Houston?

All new woodwind and brass members are auditioned prior to joining the group. Please refer back HERE for more information regarding auditions. New woodwind and brass music majors who have passed a Moores School of Music audition do not have to audition, as your entrance audition counts.

All drumline members (including returning members and incoming music majors) must audition and information can be found HERE.

+ What are the schedule requirements for all members?

The Spirit of Houston rehearses on Mondays (5:30pm-8:30pm) and Wednesday/Friday (5:30-7:00pm)

All members are required to attend a Spirit Week rehearsal period, running from Saturday August 10-17, 2024. New members, leadership, and drumline move in on Sunday August 10 with veteran members (woodwind and brass) moving in on Monday August 12. All students living in on campus dorm or apartment housing have their early move-in fees covered. Students not living in campus affiliated housing must secure their own housing during this time.

All home games are required, as well as any games in the greater Houston area. The band normally travels to a full band away game or major exhibition performance as well as local exhibition performances, all of which are required as well. If the football team is bowl eligible and competes in a game that bands are allowed to travel to, the band is also required to attend the bowl game. These games generally occur sometime between early December and early January. We will provide a list of possible bowl games at the start of summer band.

+ What instruments does the Spirit of Houston march, and are any instruments provided?

The Spirit of Houston marches piccolo, flutes, clarinets, alto saxophones, trumpets, mellophones, trombones, baritones, sousaphones, and drumline (snares, tenors, basses, and cymbals).

We provide all instruments for mellophone, bartione, sousaphone, and drumline students.

We have limited availability but can provide alto saxophones, trumpets, and trombones. We reserve those for students that wouldn't be able to participate otherwise first, and then open them up for students who would like to use a marching instrument as opposed to a concert instrument second.

If you need an instrument that is not listed, please email Mr. Kubos at ckkubos@uh.edu and we will discuss possible options as we can often help students in these situations.

+ What does it cost to be in the Marching Band? Is there a scholarship?

All students are charged a once-a-year $100 fee as part of their tuition for being a member of the Spirit of Houston. This fee goes to cover marching shoes, shirts/polos, cap, and all other gear provided to the student (including flip folder app/lyres/drillbook/etc).

All members of the Spirit of Houston receive a $1000 service award every year for participation. This is processed through your student account and is contingent on you fulfilling all duties as a member. Students who drop or do not finish their obligations will have their award revoked.