Question and Answer:

1. What is the Green Brigade?

We are the marching ensemble of the University of North Texas.

2. How many members are there?

Currently we have almost 300 members in the band, guard, frontline, drum line, and leadership.

3. What does the Green Brigade do?

We are the largest and most visible ensemble in the university. We support our football team and our students and alumni by marching at home games amd selected away games. We represent the university in other such activities as regional high school marching competitions by doing exhibition shows. When the football team gets the opportunity to play at a bowl game, we go with them to cheer them on and support them, as well as to represent the University of North Texas.

4. Can non-music majors be in the Green Brigade?

Any person with prior marching band, instrumental, or colorguard experience can be a member of the Green Brigade.

5. When does it meet?

Rehearsals are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4:15-6:15pm. The guard has additional rehearsals on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:15-7:15pm. The Drumline has an additional rehearsal on Tuesdays from 6:15-8:15pm.

6. What is a normal rehearsal like?

We meet at 4:15pm. During a normal rehearsal we will learn drill, work on music in full and sectional ensembles, and work on marching technique.

7. What is expected of the members?

A good attitude, a willingness to work hard and get the job done, and perseverance are the essential qualities of a member of the Green Brigade. Members are expected to do what is asked of them, including memorization and practicing their music at home, and learning the drill in a timely manner during rehearsal.

8. When does the season start and end?

Our 2008 pre-season starts on the Sunday, August 17, a week before classes start, and meets until Friday, August 22. Regular season begins on the first day of classes (August 25) and ends either when all of our home games are done, or after the Bowl trip (if there is one).

9. How active is the band during the season?

We perform at every home game, selected away games, and at least one exhibition event. We also record for two days in the fall for later CD publication. If the football team reaches post-season play, we will perform at the bowl game.

10. How many shows or drills do you learn in a season?

We usually learn around 2 or 3 full shows and our pre-game show.

11. What is a normal home game like?

We meet 4 hours before the game to rehearse drill and music. About 2 hours before the game, a small pep band plays in the Mean Green Village (Home of the Mean Green Tailgaters). An hour before kickoff the entire band marches in full uniform from the Coliseum, through Mean Green Village, into the stadium and around the track. We perform a pre-game show of the National Anthem, the fight song, and form a tunnel for the football team to run onto the field. During the game we sit in the stands and play peppy stand music, and we march our show during half time. After half time we sit in the stands and play until the game is over.

12. Do we go to away games, what trips are there?

At the beginning of each season we usually attend a nearby away game against an out of conference team. We will also travel to any post-season bowl game.

13. What is the uniform, what does it look like?

We use two uniforms. The hot-weather uniform consists of our band t-shirt (which will be provided), knee-length khaki shorts (provided by the member), while the formal uniform is the band t-shirt, uniform pants and jacket.

In either uniform, the band marches in the MTX band shoe (black). A vendor will come on-campus during band camp for you to order the shoe, which will deliver before the first performance. Shoes cost about $30.

14. How much does it cost?

Members will provide shoes (MTX band shoe in black, about $30), khaki shorts, plus tuition.

15. What equipment do I need?

For wind players: a marching instrument. We provide tenor saxes, mellophones, baritones, and sousaphones, as well as percussion and guard equipment.

All members will need a water bottle or Camelback, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, shoes suitable for marching (a cross-trainer like shoe) exercise clothes (NO jeans!) and a positive attitude!

16. Are there auditions?

Yes. The guard and percussion sections will have competitive auditions. Wind players will be asked to perform an informal audtion for assignment of parts.

17. Does the Green Brigade have any traditions?

At the end of every game we play "You'll Never Walk Alone" to remind ourselves, our fans, and our alumni that we are a family, that we've shared wonderful experiences, and that we've stuck together through all of our times, both good and bad.