Athletic Bands
Ohio's Pride - Marching Band
The University of Akron Marching Band “Ohio’s Pride” serves as the musical representative of UA spirit for home and at select away Zips football games. The 200-plus member band combines exciting musical arrangements, contemporary show design and outstanding visual routines into a truly spectacular pre-game and half-time performance.
Membership is open to all majors and students (including Wayne Campus). There is no audition for wind players (woodwind and brass) and auditions for the colorguard, drumline and twirlers are held each spring / summer - click on the tab below for more detailed information.
Each member of the UAMB receives a $1,000 performance stipend for participation in the ensemble.
Feature Twirlers Color Guard Drum Line
Known for its spirit and jazzy sound, the Blue & Gold Brass basketball band consists of approximately 40 members and performs for all men’s basketball games, both at home and for any tournament. Recent travel has included Seattle, WA and Tampa, FL for the NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness Tournament! Select members of this ensemble also perform for all women’s home and tournament games. Both bands are an integral part of the Zips “home-court advantage.” Members of the ensemble receive a "service award" of $300 for membership in each band for the season.
Auditions are open to all students, though flutes and clarinets are not included in this ensemble.
2026 Audition Information for the Blue & Gold Brass Band
- Auditions will be held October 7th and 8th in Guzzetta Hall, Room 270B.
- Each audition will consist of the chromatic scale (ascending only, your choice of articulation pattern), the assigned excerpt, and a short sight-reading.
- You must bring your own music.
- For auditions, please play only the bracketed section. Suggested tempo is 132 - 144bpm.
- Drum set players will audition during rehearsal on Tuesday, October 13th
- Audition music can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17LNgegJnzqCd0DvM8wWyE8mULrEWVer1?usp=drive_link
- Audition Sign-Up can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TMzDFA_z6CpO9Cjp2PbDPXSUlSbMZAqa3JW1IjgF_sM/edit?usp=sharing
- You are expected to attend at least 3 of the 4 scheduled October rehearsals.
If none of the offered times work for your schedule, please email Dr. Bell at mbell2@uakron.edu with three proposed audition times.
2026 - 2027 BLUE AND GOLD BRASS SCHEDULE
All B&G Brass Band members will attend all men’s basketball games. Please put these dates into your calendar now! The band will also be split into two groups, which will alternate attending women’s games. Those assignments will be shared with all accepted members.
There will be additional games added in the coming weeks. Those will be shared as soon as they are public.
FALL 2026: Rehearsal Schedule
Sunday October 11 3-5pm *rehearsal day for drum set players* (GRH)
Tuesday, October 13 6:30-8:00pm (Room 09) *audition day for drum set players*
Monday, October 19 6-8pm (GRH)
Thursday, October 22 6:30-8:00pm (Room 09)
MEN’S BASKETBALL – MORE DATES TBA
Wednesday, December 2
Tuesday, January 19
Tuesday, January 26
Saturday, January 30
Saturday, February 6
Tuesday, February 9
Tuesday, February 20
Friday, March 5
March 10 – 13 MAC Championships (if team qualifies)
March 16 – 21 NCAA First/Second Round (if team qualifies)
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL – MORE DATES TBA
Monday, November 2
Saturday, January 16
Wednesday, January 20
Saturday, January 30
Saturday, February 20
Wednesday, February 24
Saturday, March 6
March 10 – 13 MAC Championships (if team qualifies)
March 16 – 21 NCAA First/Second Round (if team qualifies)
Questions? Contact Dr. Michelle Bell, Assistant Director of Bands | Director of Athletic Bands, for more information at 330-972-6186 or mbell2@uakron.edu.