The 49ers Basketball Band

The 49ers Basketball Band brings the noise, the energy and the spirit to every men’s and women’s home basketball game. Ready to be part of it? Learn more about how to audition.

Submit Your Audition

The 49ers Basketball Band provides musical entertainment, spirit and support at all men’s and women’s home basketball games as well as conference tournament play. Open to all UNC Charlotte and Greater Charlotte Consortium (e.g. CPCC) students, we hope you will join us in the stands!

How to Join

All students who have experience playing piccolo, clarinet, alto/tenor saxophone, trumpet, mellophone, trombone, baritone, sousaphone/tuba, electric bass and drumset/percussionists are welcome to seek membership in the 49ers Basketball Band. Students will audition via video submission.

Download Audition Music

Students will audition on the Fight Song/Hurricane Season. Bass players should use the Sousaphone part, drum set players should play with the recording provided.

Submit Your Audition Here

Auditions should be recorded and submitted through this google form no later than 11:59pm on Sunday, October 5. Click the arrow to submit your audition via the Google form.

What to Expect: Schedules & Travel

Practice Schedule: The basketball band will rehearse twice in the fall semester from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. In the Spring semester, there will be rehearsals in January and February (Mon/Wed, 5:30–6:45 p.m.). However, the band will not meet throughout the whole spring semester at that time.
Performance Schedule: Each member of the basketball band will be assigned to one of two smaller pep bands. These smaller groups constitute half of the instrumentation of the full ensemble and will perform at all assigned home men’s and women’s games on a rotation basis. Each band may be asked to perform at additional performances. Any member not required for a particular game may still attend and is encouraged to do so. Every effort possible will be made to ensure equal rotation of the Green and White Pep Bands. Game Swaps are available to those who cannot attend their assigned games.
Travel: You get to travel as a member of the 49er Basketball Band! As per conference and NCAA regulations, pep bands may only travel with 29 members. Auditions will be held for tournament travel. The following will be considered for tournament travel: instrumentation, attendance records, participation at rehearsals and games, availability, seniority, audition, volunteer performances and extra games.

Other FAQs

Can I borrow an instrument?

It is expected that all mellophone, trombone, baritone and sousaphone players will borrow a university-owned instrument. There is a limited stock of other instruments, which will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Do I get academic credit?

Yes, all students must enroll for “MUPF 1114” (found under “music performance”) for the spring semester and will receive one academic credit.

Will it cost anything?

There is no cost for MUPF 1114. Travel costs are also covered by the Department of Athletics.

Contact Us For More Information

For more information about the 49ers Basketball Band, please contact Dr. Brian Taylor, Director of Athletic Bands & Associate Director of Bands.