Frequently Asked Questions for New Members

What is a freshman letter, and what do I do if I didn't receive one?

A freshman letter is the letter that we send out to all of the incoming freshman inviting them to join our fall retreat. Letters are sent out in June, so don't worry if you haven't gotten yours yet. As long as you're signed up to get one, it will come! We get our data from a question that is asked in the survey you take when you take the PSAT. (Random, I know). Often people who want to be in the band did not take the PSAT or did not fill in the right bubble or for some other reason do not get onto our list of addresses to contact. If you are one of those people, just send your home mailing address to join@camb.ucdavis.edu, and I personally will send a letter out that same day so that you can sign up as soon as possible. It is NOT too late!

I have a busy fall quarter schedule, and I'm worried about getting used to the college experience. I'm thinking about waiting to join the Band-uh! until I'm settled in. What should I do?

Join now! Retreat is the best time to join the Band-uh!, because our time is 100% dedicated to acclimating freshmen to what we are all about. By coming to retreat, you will start your freshmen year with 200 more friends than any of your dorm buddies have... not to mention a lot of us have cars and can drive you around while your roommates will be stranded on campus all the time. It is definitely possible to join after retreat, but if you can make it to the retreat I would highly recommend it. Retreat is over before school starts, so you can focus on your studies if need be, and if you find you don't have the time to participate in the program for fall quarter, there is absolutely no pressure for you to stick around... and if later on you find you do have the time for band, we'll always welcome you back. If possible, sign up and join at retreat!

What is retreat?

Retreat is 4-days of band craziness and getting to know each other. The program pretty much revolves around the freshmen and getting them used to how things are run. We teach you how to march, introduce you to our huge folder of songs, and get to know each and every one of you. It is a really fun way to meet people and get used to campus. We stay in the dorms, eat at the Dining Commons, and roam around Davis having a blast. It's a really fun time of the year, and you won't regret joining!

When is retreat?

This year it is September 15th-18th, 2008.

Where and when should I show up on the first day of Retreat?

If you come to the Segundo dorm buildings on La Rue (the parking lot just north of the Activities and Recreation Center parking lot) around 9am on September 17th, you will find signs and people to show you where to go.

Can I stay in the room that I have already been assigned to fill for Fall of this year?

No, we cannot have people stay in their normal rooms. We all stay in one big Segundo building together, and you will room with your upperbandsman. My suggestion is to have us store your living stuff somewhere for the week or have your parents bring it up on your move in day, and only bring what you need for retreat on Monday the 17th.

What is an upperbandsman?

An upperbandsman is kind of like a mentor or 'big brother/sister' figure. They are a member of our organization who has been in the band for at least a year. Each freshman is paired with an upperbandsman at retreat; this is the person who you will share your dorm room with and who will be there to satisfy all your needs and answer all your questions. They know the ropes, and will help you get acquainted with them too.

What about moving my stuff into the dorms after retreat?

If you have one of us store your stuff for you, we will help you move all of it into your dorm room on/after move-in day, and we will take care of you until then. We all have houses and apartments and places for people to stay so that you (I guarantee) will not be left stranded. If your parents want to help you move in, they can come up separately on your move-in day and help you get your stuff into your dorm room. If you do want to have your parents drive up, we can house you after retreat as well, so that you don't have to go back home just to turn around and return to Davis. (Plus this is often a fun bonding time for you and whoever you are staying with!) Either way works for us, and we will help in whatever way possible in every step along the way.

What if I don't like the band?

Well, chances are that simply will not happen. However, in the event that it does, you can drop out at any point. You have no obligation to our program and we will not tar and feather you if you aren't feeling the Band-uh! vibe. I would still personally recommend attending retreat, because you really don't have much to lose. It's a really really fun time for everybody, and you are under no obligation by attending retreat whatsoever. Worst case scenario: you meet a bunch of people, but don't really feel the band is for you; you got a week away from your parents, you got comfortable with the campus, and you made a bunch of new friends. Not too bad of a deal.

What if I've never played an instrument?

That's fine! Plenty of our members have never been in a band before. You should still definitely join; we will help you learn how to play and learn everything else you need to know.

What if my high school band didn't march? I've never marched before!

Most high school marching bands glide step, and we high step, so everyone pretty much starts out learning something new at retreat. During retreat, we will teach you everything you need to know, how to march, how the whistle commands work, what to do at gigs--by the time you leave retreat, you will be ready to be an active member of our band and attend any gig that you ike!

I can't attend retreat for ___ reason. Can I still join the band?

Of course! Plenty of people join the band after retreat. Simply email join@camb.ucdavis.edu and we will inform you as to where to go to attend the next rehearsal so that we can get you set up!

I'm really going to need to study a lot. What if I don't have time for the band?

We only ask that you come to 40% of the gigs. That's hardly anything! Many of us who are active members have over 80% attendance, and plenty of us have over 100%. Luckily for those people, the theorems of Mathematics do not necessarily apply in the Aggie Band-uh!. Once you get used to college life and balancing your schedule, you will find it is easy to make time for band. And the best part is, not a single gig is mandatory! If you ever need to ditch ANY gig ALL year to study or work, you can, no questions asked. We even let people send in excuses for when they have class or work conflicts, so that the gigs missed for those reasons don't even hurt your attendance! All of us find plenty of time to study; after all, our education is the reason why we are here.