Band Events
Special Events
2026 dates coming soon!
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
We are happy to invite you and your student musicians to our Annual All-State Audition Workshop for woodwind, brass, and percussion players. The event will take place on Wednesday, September 23. Check-in at the School of Music lobby will begin at 6:30 p.m., and the workshop will run from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Applied music faculty members will be available to provide instruction and encouragement for your students as they prepare for their All-State auditions. We have hosted this popular and free outreach activity for many years and are happy to be able to continue this service.
High School Directors should return the general enrollment form by Friday, September 11, to Adam Thomas at adam.thomas@louisville.edu to make reservations. This will enable us to plan appropriately for those who will be attending the workshop. If you did not receive the form, please contact Adam immediately.
Saturday, September 19 2026
UofL Band Day will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, as the Cards take on Southern Methodist University at L&N Football Stadium in Louisville!
On behalf of the University of Louisville School of Music and the UofL Band Department, we would like to cordially invite you and your high school band students to participate in the 12th annual CMB Band Day on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium at UofL. All parents and students in your program are welcome to attend. Registration materials will be emailed to area high school directors.
Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for registration materials to be received in our office is September 8, 2026. Payment is required to reserve seats. Space is limited, so please return your reservation information as soon as possible.
The cost is $20 for each adult/student. The cost includes a t-shirt for each student musician and a ticket to the game. We will confirm the exact schedule once the official kickoff time is announced, two weeks before the game. Here is the general schedule:
- 6 hours prior to kick-off: Registration
- 5 hours prior to kick-off: Rehearsal
- 2.5 hours prior to kick-off: Observe Card March
- 20 minutes prior to kickoff: Observe Pregame
- Halftime: Perform at Halftime
We will contact participating school directors concerning bus parking, stadium directions, and other pertinent information. Music and guard work will be shared closer to the event day.
We hope to have you with us!
Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for registration materials to be received in our office is September 8, 2026. Payment is required to reserve seats. Space is limited, so please return your reservation information as soon as possible. Please send payment and registration to Dr. Jason Freeman - jason.freeman.1@louisville.edu
Band Day Registration Form | Band Day Information Letter
Information about our Band Day
The UofL Cardinal Marching Band “Band Day” provides an opportunity for high school band directors and their community (students and parents) to see a collegiate marching band and football team at their best. Each year, hundreds of students perform with the CMB at Cardinal Stadium, home of a major NCAA Division 1 football and marching band program. The event starts 5 hours prior to kick-off and includes observing a CMB rehearsal in Cardinal Stadium, food and admission to the game. Students will also have the opportunity to perform at half-time! Other special performances by the CMB will include Card March and Pre-Game. Participants must bring their instrument, copy of music and a bag lunch or money for concessions. Music will be provided after registration is complete. T-Shirts for student participants will be provided upon arrival.
We will contact participating schools concerning registration, bus parking, stadium directions and other information throughout the Fall season.
Attention all UofL Band Alums! Signup for Basketball Alumni Bands!
Assorted events throughout Winter Break!
2026 date coming soon!
2025 Alumni Band for Football Homecoming
UofL Bands is proud to announce a call for UofL Band Alumni for our 2025 Alumni Band!
UofL Homecoming will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025 at the UofL versus Boston College football game at L&N Cardinal Stadium! All UofL Band Alumni are invited to attend this game and perform at halftime with the UofL Cardinal Marching Band! More information will be coming soon.
Information about Alumni Band
The Alumni Band provides an opportunity for alums to march and perform with the current students of the Cardinal Marching Band. The event starts 5 hours prior to kick-off and includes a music rehearsal in Cardinal Stadium. Alumni Band members will have the opportunity to perform at half-time. Participants must bring their instrument. Storage space and music will be provided after registration is complete.
After completing registration, participants must purchase tickets ($30) and submit the registration fee ($30). Registration includes field access at halftime, an alumni band shirt and a pregame meal with the CMB.
More details, including a schedule, parking instructions, stadium directions and other information will be emailed to participants closer to the performance date.
2027 date coming soon!
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Join the UofL Cardinal Marching Band Drum Line on Saturday, May 23, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a FREE, hands-on clinic with our instructors. This interactive workshop outlines the CMB’s musical and technical philosophies and will give all attendees a jump start on audition preparation. This FREE clinic is open to all high school students who are serious about drum line at the collegiate level. Attendees should bring appropriate instruments, sticks, practice pad, and ear plugs.
All attendees must complete the online registration form at the bottom of this page.
Once registered, more information is below:
- DWTC Welcome Letter coming soon
For more information, please contact the Band Office at adam.thomas@lousiville.edu
Please note: lunch will NOT be provided for the event. Students must bring a sack lunch or money to order food.
2027 date coming soon!
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Join the UofL Cardinal Marching Band Color Guard on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a FREE, hands-on clinic with our instructors. This interactive workshop outlines the CMB’s musical and technical philosophies and is open to all high school students who are serious about color guard at the collegiate level. Participants should bring a flag (and optional rifle or saber).
All attendees must complete the online registration form at the bottom of this page.
Once registered, more information is below:
- SWTC Welcome Letter coming soon
For more information, please contact the UofL Band office at: ULBands@louisville.edu.
Please note: lunch will NOT be provided for the event. Students must bring a sack lunch or money to order food.
The School of Music is home to concerts and events of all styles.
Our students, faculty and guest artists perform both in and outside of our concert halls to UofL and community audiences. We invite you to check out our many opportunities including general concerts, student recitals and the larger scale special events of our school.
