The Georgia State Panther Band is a world-class organization that has performed in Super Bowl LIII, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Barack Obama, the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade, made television and movie appearances, and been awarded top national honors as one of the best bands in the country by the College Band Directors National Association. Don’t miss out on a chance to make lifelong friends and share the fun of college band!
Students auditioning on a wind instrument will be expected to:
- Provide proof of college or university acceptance (acceptance letter or university student identification card)
- Participate in a group visual/marching evaluation
- Complete an individual musical audition consisting of:
- Technique Warmups #3
- Alma Mater
- Fight Song
Now Accepting Virtual Auditions
Winds Virtual Audition
Please upload ONE video that includes the following:
Part I | Introduction
A brief introduction of yourself that includes something about what you are most looking forward to in the Panther Band.
Part 2 | Music Evaluation
Clips of you playing through the pieces below:
- Technique Warmup #3
- Alma Mater
- Fight Song
Part 3 | Marching Evaluation
Box Drill at quarter note = 120 BPM (a sample video and written directions are below)
- Forward 8, Left 8, Backwards 8, Right 8, Forward 8, Right 8, Backward 8, Left 8, Forward 8. A metronome should be audible in the video and set to 120 bpm. The clip should be recorded with your instrument in playing position or a modified horns up if you don’t have access to a specific marching instrument.
NOTE – Staff will evaluate you on:
- body alignment
- lower body technique
- tempo control
- pathway and direction change control
Students auditioning for the drumline will be expected to:
- Provide proof of college or university acceptance (acceptance letter or university student identification card)
- Familiarize yourself with the music materials found in the audition packet linked below. All evaluations, however, will take place in an ensemble setting. You should expect to demonstrate your skills individually. Potential members are evaluated on their consistency in technique and sound quality as well as tempo control and rhythmic accuracy.
Now Accepting Virtual Auditions
Percussion Virtual Audition
Please upload ONE video that includes the following:
Part I | Introduction
A brief introduction of yourself that includes something about what you are most looking forward to in the Panther Band.
Part 2 | Music Evaluation
Clips of you playing through the following exercises in the audition packet (linked above) with an audible metronome. Play the part for which you most wish to be considered:
- 187 … 120 BPM
- SGH … 136 BPM
- GSU Run On Cadence … 112 BPM
Play each exercise at the marked tempo. If the marked tempo is not possible, reduce it to a comfortable speed of no more than 85% of the marked tempo.
Students auditioning for the color guard will be expected to:
- Provide proof of college or university acceptance (acceptance letter or university student identification card)
- Demonstrate body control through movement. It is recommended that you have guard or dance experience
- Demonstrate the ability to learn flag choreography on a 6ft pole
- If applicable, demonstrate technical abilities on a 37.5” rifle and 39” saber
- Demonstrate the ability to learn choreography and communicate via an online platform
- Demonstrate physical fitness in the form of a one-mile run
Now Accepting Virtual Auditions
Color Guard Virtual Audition
Please upload ONE video that includes the following:
Part I | Introduction
A brief introduction of yourself that includes the following:
- Your guard experience
- Why do you like guard?
- Major
- What school are you currently attending?
- What Georgia State campus will you be attending in the fall?
- Why did you choose Georgia State?
- A fun fact about yourself
Part 2 | Dance Evaluation
Dance basics and/or choreography
- Share with us skills you feel you do well
Part 3 | Flag Evaluation
Flag basics and/or choreography
- Share with us skills you feel you do well
Part 4 | Weapon Evaluation (optional)
Weapon basics and/or choreography
- Share with us skills you feel you do well
Students auditioning for the rock band will be expected to:
- Provide proof of college or university acceptance (acceptance letter or university student identification card)
- Play one solo excerpt displaying your musical ability and style
- Prepare and perform the selected audition music
- Display great showmanship and energy
Now Accepting Virtual Auditions
Rock Band Virtual Audition
Please upload ONE video that includes the following:
Part I | Introduction
A brief introduction of yourself that includes something about what you are most looking forward to in the Panther Band.
Part 2 | Solo Playing Evaluation
Play one solo excerpt displaying your musical ability and style (accompaniment optional).
Part 3 | Music Evaluation
Play the music excerpt from Good Times Roll (linked above) with the backing track audible in the clip.
Those who audition for the School of Music as a music major will still be required to participate in the Panther Band audition camp but will not need to complete an individual musical audition (unless you intend to join the DRUMLINE, ROCK BAND, or COLOR GUARD).
Please refer to your prospective section’s tab for more detailed information.
Not ready to apply but want to stay in the loop for upcoming audition information? Add your name to our contact list and you’ll be the first to hear about the season!
Membership Fees for ALL Panther Band members will be $150 for the 2025 season:
- Due July 30th
Color Guard will have an additional fee of $300 which covers your uniform:
- Installment #1: $150 due May 30th
- Installment #2: $150 due June 30th
- Installment #3: $150 due July 30th
All instruments and major performance equipment required to participate in Panther Band are provided by Georgia State Bands. Instruments and equipment will be available for checkout beginning July 1st. Procedures for checking out instruments and equipment will be communicated to members via email throughout the summer.
WINDS
Georgia State Bands will provide:
- Instrument
- White performance gloves
- Panther Band Uniform & Shako
- Panther Band Member Hat*
- Panther Band Member T-Shirt*
- Panther Band Water Cooler*
- Viper Marching Shoes*
You are responsible for providing:
- Mouthpiece (large bore for trombones and baritones)
- Instrument Accessories: Reeds, Valve oil, Slide grease, Cork grease, Neck strap
- Full length black socks
- Instrument Lyre
- Ear plugs
PERCUSSION
Georgia State Bands will provide:
- Instrument, harness and stand
- Drum Heads
- Sticks & Mallets
- Cymbal gloves
- Panther Band Uniform & Shako
- Panther Band Member Hat*
- Panther Band Member T-Shirt*
- Panther Band Water Cooler*
- Viper Marching Shoes*
You are responsible for providing:
- Full length black socks
- White stick tape
- Ear plugs
PANTHER GUARD
Georgia State Bands will provide:
- Performance flags
- Performance sabre
- Poms
- Warm-Up Suit & Shoes
- Performance Uniform & Shoes
- Performance Jewelry
- Panther Band Member Hat*
- Panther Band Member T-Shirt*
- Panther Band Water Cooler*
- Panther Guard Backpack*
You are responsible for providing:
- 37.5″ white King rifle with black bolt
- Equipment tape
- Ear plugs
ROCK BAND
Georgia State Bands will provide:
- Drum Set
- Keyboard(s)
- Instrument Amps & Cables
- Sticks & Mallets
- Panther Band Uniform
- Panther Band Member Hat*
- Panther Band Member T-Shirt*
- Panther Band Water Cooler*
- Viper Marching Shoes*
*Provided to first year members. Replacements may be purchased as needed.
You are responsible for providing:
- Guitar & Bass Guitar
- Instrument accessories: guitar strings, straps, capos, stands, pedals (as required)
- Full length black socks
- Ear plugs
All members are required to register for MUS-1063 (all Perimeter Campus students) or MUS-3063 (all Atlanta Campus students) and attend all rehearsals (class). Class meets 4:00-7:00pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. You should plan to have your classes prior to Panther Band end by 3:00pm so you have time to change and get to the stadium.
New members to the band are expected to register for the class at orientation. Please identify your need to be registered for this class to your advisor and ensure you are placed into a Freshman Learning Community (FLC) that does not obstruct your registration for Panther Band. To that end, we expect you to set your schedule so that you can arrive at Panther Band on time and be ready to start by 4:00pm each Wednesday and Friday.
NOTE – ALL CLASSES ARE ON THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS. TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE DOWNTOWN CAMPUS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH STUDENT. Perimeter College students who are in the Music Pathway must coordinate with the Perimeter College Music Area for clearance to register for Panther Band. Speak to your advisor for more specific information.
If you attend another institution, contact your Cross Registration office to register for the class IMMEDIATELY. If your institution does not offer cross-registration with Georgia State, please apply to be a transient student.
Panther Band Camp 2025 will be August 16th-22nd: 12:00-10:00pm at Center Parc Stadium. Attendance at camp is required as outlined below.
- Panther Guard: August 16th-22nd
- Percussion & Rock Band: August 16th-22nd
- Leadership: August 16th-22nd
- Winds: August 17th-22nd
Weekly rehearsals (classes) are on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4:00-7:00pm at Center Parc Stadium. The address to Center Parc is 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta, GA 30315.
Panther Guard and Percussion may have sectionals scheduled in addition to the full ensemble rehearsals on Wednesdays from 7:15-8:30pm.
In addition to weekday rehearsals, the Panther Band rehearses on game days. The call time for rehearsals on performance days is typically 6 hours prior to kick-off.
Fall 2025 Schedule
- 09/06/25 Georgia State vs. Memphis
- 09/13/25 Georgia State vs. Murray State
- 09/20/25 Georgia State @ Vanderbilt (possible Pep Band Travel with reduced-size ensemble)
- 10/04/25 Georgia State vs. James Madison
- 10/11/25 Georgia State vs. Appalachian State
- 10/18/25 Georgia State @ Georgia Southern (Full Band Travel)
- 10/23/25 Georgia State vs. South Alabama (THERSday night game)
- 11/01/25 Exhibition Performance @ Milton HS: White Columns Invitational
- 11/08/25 Georgia State @ Coastal Carolina (possible Pep Band Travel with reduced-size ensemble)
- 11/15/25 Georgia State vs. Marshall
Post-Season
- 12/06/25 Possible Sun Belt Football Championship
- 12/07/25 Panther Band Banquet
- Bowl Travel – Reserve 12/15-12/23 as possible post-season bowl game travel dates
