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About the Marching Band

The “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band is UNC Charlotte’s largest and most visible spirit organization, built on pride, leadership and a love for this university. Learn about our mission, philosophy, history and home.

Meet Band Staff

The mission of the “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band is to serve the alma mater, encourage student involvement, foster musical achievement and promote the spirit and traditions of UNC Charlotte. PNNMB provides members with positive, life-long experiences through participation and performances that build pride, leadership and confidence.

Philosophy & Purpose

PNNMB exists for the following purposes:

  • Educational – To provide a training environment for all students, particularly music education majors, to develop skills to be master teachers and performers.

Cultural – To develop an appreciation and understanding of music as an art form through listening, practicing and performing music from many different composers and styles.

Support – To act as music ambassadors for the Department of Music, College of Arts + Architecture, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the State of North Carolina while presenting quality entertainment for our audiences at concerts, football games, pep rallies, parades and other performances.

Recreational – To provide students with an activity that offers them the opportunity for recognition, satisfaction and enjoyment through a worthwhile experience.

The Vickie & Gene Johnson Marching Band Center

The Vickie & Gene Johnson Marching Band Center is home to the “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band – one of the few buildings in the nation dedicated solely to a marching band. The 6,700 square-foot building houses a conference room, music library and offices for the band staff. It also includes restrooms, a storage room for drumline and colorguard equipment and ample space for musical instruments and uniforms.

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Johnson Band Center was designed by the award-winning architecture firm Watson Tate Savory (now part of McMillan Pazdan Smith). Over the past five years, Watson Tate Savory has earned fifteen awards for their designs for the University of South Carolina , South Carolina State University, Midlands Technical College, USC Beaufort and the College of Charleston. “This beautiful building is nestled in the woods behind the Storrs Building, adjacent to the new Levine Student Garden and Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts, and will quickly become a hub of activity,” says Emeritus Professor and Architectural Historian Dr. Lee Gray. “The design reflects the architectural characteristics of Storrs Hall and Robinson Hall, and the building will serve as an architectural landmark for patrons going to and from events in the College of Arts + Architecture.”

Quick Facts

PNNMB is open to all UNC Charlotte students. Experience performing on a standard band instrument or spinning a flag is required.

Students must enroll in MUPF 1118 and will receive one academic credit for participation. PNNMB rehearses Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4:15–6:15 p.m. and performs at all Charlotte 49ers home football games, home basketball games and events.

Preseason Band Camp takes place approximately two weeks before the fall academic semester begins. Prospective members of the Drumline and Colorguard audition for membership. There is no membership audition for wind players, but a part-placement audition is required.

Contact Us

For more information about the “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band, please contact Dr. Brian Taylor, Director of Athletic Bands & Associate Director of Bands.

Contact Us