The Band of the Fighting Irish lines up for the first marchout of 2011

The University of Notre Dame Band will kick off its 167th year with a marchout around the Notre Dame campus on Thursday, August 16th at 9:30 am.  Beginning outside the Ricci Band Rehearsal Hall, the marchout route takes the band past several Notre Dame landmarks including the Hesburgh Library, Clarke Memorial Fountain, and Grace Hall. The marchout concludes at Stepan Fields.

One of the traditional campus events ringing in the beginning of a new school year, the marchout will feature nearly 500 students. Among them both veteran band members and students auditioning for a spot in the 2012 Band of the Fighting Irish.  Over the course of the four day audition process, students receive instruction in marching and musical fundamentals, and will complete a musical and marching audition. The audition process concludes the evening of Sunday, August 19th.

Dating back to 1845, the Notre Dame Band is the oldest college band in continuous existence in the United States and was honored as such by being declared a “Landmark of American Music” by the National Music Council and the Indiana Music Educators Association.

The Notre Dame Band is the recipient of the 2011-2012 Sudler Trophy. The trophy is considered the “Heisman Trophy” for college bands and recognizes the band’s current excellence and historical contributions.

In addition to a rich history of performing at concerts, campus celebrations and religious ceremonies, the Band of the Fighting Irish has a long tradition of providing music and pageantry for Notre Dame football games and athletic events. The Band was on hand for the first game against the University of Michigan in 1887 and has performed at every home game since.