Frequently Asked Questions
Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band FAQs
Yes, members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band must be in the Corps of Cadets. For more information, visit the Corps of Cadets website.
See the Auditions webpage for information about auditioning for the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.
Yes. Membership in a concert ensemble or jazz band is open to (but not required of) members of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band.
Yes. We encourage you to use your own instrument but certain instruments are provided when needed.
Maybe. You will decide after your first two years in the Corps of Cadets if you want to follow a military career path. If you choose not to, you can remain in the Corps of Cadets and band, and will be considered a “drill and ceremony” cadet.
Yes. Ample class and study time is provided and required as part of your membership in the band. There is also academic help and tutoring available through the band units and the Corps of Cadets.
The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band rehearses Monday through Friday, 7 – 8:30 a.m. Indoor rehearsals are held in the Music Activities Center and drill rehearsals take place on the drill field located adjacent to the band hall.
Scholarships are not available directly through the band, but there are many scholarships available through the Corps of Cadets. Visit the Corps of Cadets website for more information regarding scholarships.
There is no official difference between band outfits. The personalities within the units make the difference. Plan to attend a Spend the Night with the Corps to see which one is for you.
Yes. You are encouraged to find other opportunities for involvement across campus.
Concert Bands FAQs
No. Each of the concert ensembles are open to all students at Texas A&M.
See the Auditions webpage for information about auditioning for a concert ensemble.
Sometimes. We encourage you to use your own instrument but certain instruments are available when needed.
Yes. Depending on which band you are in, you will only meet two or three times a week. We do not do sectionals, extra rehearsals, etc. You will find band takes far less time at Texas A&M than you are used to in high school.
No. It does not cost extra tuition to play in an ensemble through Music Activities.
When full orchestra works are performed, wind and percussion players are selected from enrolled members of the concert bands.
Jazz Ensemble FAQs
No. Each of the jazz ensembles are open to all students at Texas A&M.
See the Auditions webpage for information about auditioning for a jazz ensemble.
Sometimes. We encourage you to use your own instrument but certain instruments are available when needed.
Yes. Depending on which band you are in, you will only meet two or three times a week. We do not do sectionals, extra rehearsals etc. You will find band takes far less time at Texas A&M than you are used to in high school.
No. It does not cost extra tuition to play in an ensemble through Music Activities.
Orchestra FAQs
For incoming freshman and transfer students, orchestra auditions take place beginning two weeks prior to the fall semester. For current Texas A&M students, auditions take place toward the end of each semester prior to course registration. See the Auditions webpage for information about auditioning for an orchestra.
The orchestra has a number of string basses which are available for checkout at no charge. A very limited number of the other string instruments are available for emergency use on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes. The orchestras only meet for two and a half hours a week and have few outside rehearsals to prepare the full orchestra literature. We do not have sectionals outside of rehearsals. You will find orchestra takes far less time at Texas A&M than you are used to in high school.
The woodwind, brass and percussion players are taken from the university bands when the orchestra performs full orchestra literature. To perform with the orchestras, these students must first complete an audition and join one of the concert bands. Students volunteer for the orchestra and are taken based on their placement in the university bands.
No. It does not cost extra tuition to play in an ensemble through Music Activities. Any additional scholarships should be pursued at the local level or through the college the student will be entering.
Choral Activities FAQs
No, you are not required to be in the Corps of Cadets to sing in a choral ensemble, including the Singing Cadets.
Yes, all choral ensembles require an audition. See the Auditions webpage for information about auditioning for a choral ensemble.
Rehearsals are held in the Choral Rehearsal Hall at the Music Activities Center, room 164. Our on-campus concerts are held in Rudder Theater Complex on the Texas A&M campus.
Many of our members sang in choir in high school, but for some members, this is their first choir experience. An audition is required to test your singing and reading ability, but our singers encompass a wide range of skills and experience.
All choirs are classes which count as a one-hour elective credit.
We encourage everyone to audition, regardless of their note-reading ability. You might be exactly who we need, so don’t let your fear of reading music stop you from auditioning.
All members of choirs are required to pay member dues each semester, as is the case with most student organizations. These dues cover the cost of activities and other expenses associated with the organization. Scholarships may be available through the Aggie Experience Fund.
While we highly discourage class conflicts, we will do everything we can to make it work and help you participate.
The choirs perform a wide variety of music, from classical pieces to contemporary pop songs.
The things to keep in mind when considering your time commitment for a choir are 1) weekly rehearsal times, 2) performances, 3) social events and 4) tours. We rehearse roughly 3-5 hours per week Monday through Thursday. Different groups perform more than others.