A letter from the Director

Thank you for your interest in the Goin' Band from Raiderland. I know that Higher Education is one of the most important and personal decisions that you will ever make and want to extend my best wishes to you and your family as you look at various institutions. I feel that each person has to find the right fit in terms of a university community. That being said, I am convinced that Texas Tech University has one of the most comprehensive and unique atmospheres providing Division I opportunities in a down-home friendly environment. Your role in the Goin' Band would be no exception.

The Goin' Band is a very different experience than what you may have had in other ensembles. With over 75% of our ensemble majoring in fields other than music, almost every academic field is covered. You are sure to find a group of people with whom you identify. Members of the Goin' Band talk constantly about the camaraderie inside the ensemble and with over 400 members, we are one of the largest collegiate marching bands in the world. Texas Tech University has great pride in its marching band. You will find that students, faculty, staff, and administration across campus point to the Goin' Band as one of the "coolest" organizations around. In 1999, the Goin' Band won the Sudler Trophy for excellence assuring its place in history as one of only 24 bands to ever receive this award.

The Season
The Texas Tech Red Raider Football team is one of the most dynamic and exciting football teams in the NCAA. As a member of the Big 12 conference you are guaranteed to be a part of the national scene and you will have one of the best seats in the house. Additionally, we travel to one or two away games with the entire performing ensemble. Nearly every year, the entire Goin' Band travels to a bowl game. The last decade has included The Tangerine Bowl, the Alamo Bowl, the Holiday Bowl, the Cotton Bowl, the Insight Bowl and the Gator Bowl. The Red Raiders are the only team to qualify for a bowl appearance in every year of the existence of the Big 12 conference. With over 50,000 fans at every home game, the excitement of game day is overwhelming and is constantly described by new members each year as an experience second to none.

The Shows
The Goin' Band is always "Goin'." We pride ourselves in constant motion and exciting music. We perform at least 5 shows every year, including our exciting pre-game show. We also pride ourselves in how quickly we are able to get quality drill and music on the field. Imagine if everyone in your band had as much experience as you do. We average around 250 sets of drill every year! We pace with an eye toward your experience and move quickly through each show.

The Rehearsals
Rehearsals in the Goin' Band are very unique. We spend a total of 5 hours of actual rehearsal time per week as an entire unit. Though we will have Saturday rehearsals on the day of a game, there are several weekends with no games. Those weekends are free. Our rehearsal experience is fast-paced and very positive. I do not believe in having a stressful or negative environment in the band rehearsal.

The Requirements

Wind Players
To be a member of the Goin' Band, everyone must report to Summer Band which occurs 1 week before school begins in the fall. Band can be taken as a P.E. credit or a Fine Arts credit. You will receive another letter in the spring that outlines the specific course numbers for orientation. All wind players must audition to be in the band. During auditions, wind players have an opportunity to make a permanent block assignment—which allows you to march every show throughout the season or potentially a dual spot assignment, meaning that you are assigned a spot with another person and the two of you will trade shows. Students who do not make the band have an opportunity to play in other ensembles in the fall so no one is left out if they choose to participate. If you are receiving this in the mail, then you are on the mailing list and you will receive more information in the summer about the audition procedure. If you are reading this on the Web, be sure to get your information to the ensemble secretary by following the "Contact Us" link.

The Auxiliaries (Percussion, Guard, and Twirlers)
The percussion section spends an additional 3 hours together per week in a separate class. This allows us to teach all of the fundamentals and work required for this unit without meeting outside of class time. Guard and Twirlers will have one evening rehearsal during the week that allows for show teaching and cleaning in addition to the Goin' Band standard rehearsal time. The total time involved for these units including band and the separate meeting should not exceed 8 hours per week which is still some 3 to 7 fewer hours per week than most High School programs.

Percussion: Percussion auditions will take place in summer band. An audition packet will follow in the summer that outlines all of the procedures for these auditions. It is important to know that we use "matched" grip in our snare line, not "traditional." We typically march a full battery including 10 snares, 5 tenors, 6 basses, 6 cymbals, and full front ensemble. We are proud to have one of the few front ensembles still remaining amongst university bands of our size. The percussion is featured in some way nearly every season.

Twirling: Texas Tech is proud to have one of the most elite twirling lines in the country. Membership is by audition only. Interested twirlers should contact the ensemble secretary to let her know of your interest in this line. Auditions are the weekend of April 11th, 2008 for the 2008-2009 Twirling line.

Colorguard: The Goin' Band has a full color guard that includes flags and rifles. Auditions for this line are held during the weekend of April 11th, 2008 for the 2008-2009 Colorguard. Interested guard members should contact the ensemble secretary to let her know of your interest in this line.

Scholarships
We do have a limited number of scholarships available. If you are an entering freshman and you are not a music major, then you may apply. There are several awards available ranging from a total of $500.00 to a total of $1000.00. You must be enrolled in Goin' Band to receive the award. For these non-major awards, please send a cassette or, preferably, a CD of a solo performance—either an etude or a solo. These should be post-marked by March 1st, 2008. Please place your name and instrument directly on the CD or Cassette. In order to be considered, you must have applied for admission to Texas Tech University. Mail this to : Texas Tech University, School of Music, 18th and Boston, Box 42033, Lubbock, Texas, 79409, Attn: Debbie Holt. If you plan to major in music at Texas Tech University, you are not eligible for this award. In that case, please contact Janeen Gilliam at 806-742-2270x225 to set up a school of music audition.

Please let us know if you have any additional questions. You can find a great deal of information, pictures, and media clips at www.goinband.org. Please explore the web site and feel free to contact us with questions. The ensemble secretary, Debbie Holt, can be contacted at 806-742-2272 or you can email through the "Contact Us" link.

I hope that you have a great year and that you will seriously consider becoming a member of "The Goin' Band from Raiderland." Let us know if we can help you in any way.

Go Tech!

Christopher M. Anderson
Director, "Goin' Band from Raiderland"
Assistant Professor of Music
Texas Tech University