Prospective Members
Click here to fill out Prospective Member Form.
Thank you for your interest in the Kansas State University Bands or Auxiliaries.
We are very pleased to be a part of your planning for college. We are
confident that you won't find a better place in the country to be a student,
as well as a part of an organization such as we have in the K-State Bands.
While K-State is a large enough institution that the resources and opportunities available to you are second to none, we are still small enough that you will certainly be an integral and familiar part of the complete Wildcat family. The experiences you will have, and the people you will meet on this campus are undoubtedly of the highest caliber and the decision to come to Kansas State and be a part of the bands will be one that you will not regret.
The first step in obtaining information on becoming a part of the K-State Bands is to complete and submit one of our Prospective Band Member forms, which can be done either online, by following the previous link, or in hard copy by contacting us directly through one of the methods listed below. Prospective Color Guard and Classy Cat members should also complete this form.
When completing the prospective form, please check ALL areas of possible interest. This commits you to absolutely nothing, but simply gives us a better idea of who you are.
Once we've received your information we will add you to our database and you will then begin receiving our mailings and newsletters, which will keep you informed about everything from schedules, upcoming events, music, camps, and audition expectations. Auxiliary auditions for Classy Cats, Color Guard, and Twirlers are held every Spring in April. You can follow the appropriate links to see schedules, information, and requirements for the squad that you are interested in.
From there, we hope you will remain in touch with us so that when the time comes, we can help you become a part of the KSU Bands and the K-State community.
Please contact us at:
K-State Bands
226 McCain Auditorium
Manhattan, KS 66506
(785) 532-3816
fax: (785) 532-3817
e-mail: ftracz@ksu.edu
Welcome from K-State President, Richard Linton
Dear Pride of Wildcat Land:
Welcome to the family, K-State band members!
Whether returning members or incoming freshmen, please know that every K-Stater appreciates how much you mean to the Wildcat nation and our culture. You are a key part of the fabric of our institution, and you are "the music to our ears."
I cannot wait to hear the sound of the Wabash Cannonball as it rebounds off campus buildings or in the stands of Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Welcome, again, and Go Cats!
Sincerely,
President Richard Linton
Welcome from K-State Bands
Dear Prospective K-Stater:
The year began in the heat of August with the task of moving into the brand new “Tracz Family Band Hall” - the start of what would be another fantastic and extremely memorable year for the K-State band program. We added a new face and voice in leadership with the addition of Dr. Zack Deininger as Assistant Director of Bands. As you can read from his bio, he has a great foundation of education and experiences that have already benefitted us all here at K-State. We continue to recruit, fundraise, and outreach with passion, energy, commitment, and drive. Our enrollment outlook is fantastic for next year and the talent level continues to climb.
With the addition of a third director, we have reorganized responsibilities and opened up new avenues of doing what we do to secure a bright future for the program.
Hear is a look into the rearview mirror of our efforts:
7 home football games starting with temps above 100 in game 1 and culminating with “Snowmageddon” against Iowa State with temps in the teens and 8 inches of snow coming down! The field was covered with literally inches of snow each hour, athletics facilities staff used blowers and shovels to keep the yard lines clear, the band stood in a couple inches of snow and freezing water - all of which resulted in conditions that would not let us march on the field at pregame or halftime.
The Central States Marching Festival featured 41 bands and continues to be the premier festival in the region if not beyond! The clinics, video critique, and a performance by the PRIDE was a recipe for great success. Once again, our band played and marched at the highest level.
Wabash on the Prairie, a fundraiser for the Children’s Defense Fund, was another huge success for all. A thousand people came to the prairie in the Flint Hills to hear and see the PRIDE to help raise funds for this great cause.
We celebrated the official “opening” of the TFBH to a massive outpouring of support at Memorial Field in September. The West Stadium stands were full along with seats on the track, hundreds of donors sitting under canopies on the field, and the PRIDE standing behind the stage where Greg Willems, CEO of the Foundation, addressed the crowd. The TFBH was packed with everyone who came to see this fabulous facility.
The 6th annual All-Star Marching Band was another huge success with 170 all-star band members from many high schools across the the state of Kansas. The ASMB performed one piece by themselves then were joined by the PRIDE to march and play together in front of a packed house at the “BILL”. We ended with some awesome tunes and of course Wabash!! Great time for all, and GREAT recruiting!!
The Classy Cats once again won another NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in Pom at the College Classic Invitational in Orlando, Florida this past Spring 2023. BACK TO BACK!! They also took 3rd in Jazz and 5th in Spirit Showdown. Over 60 schools participated in the College Classic National Invitational. These young ladies have consistently represented K-State and themselves in the most professional and highest quality dancing we have seen at K-State. These ladies exemplify everything that is right and of the highest quality in performance, attitude, work ethic, and representation of themselves, their school, and us all. We could not be prouder of these incredible ambassadors for the University
and PRIDE. Under the leadership of Coach Sara Evans Heptig, they are in the best coaching and teaching hands possible. Sara is a true leader who is not only extremely talented, but is a teacher and motivator of incredible talents. Bravo to Sara and the NATIONAL CHAMPION Classy Cats!!
Our Summer Music Camps reached record numbers this past summer with 200 kids at Music Camp and 150 at the Leadership and Auxiliary Camp. Kudos to Dr. Wimmer and the staff for another great summer!
The “Marching Pride Golf Tournament” once again raised over $26,000 for the MPS scholarships for all 3+ year members of the KSUMB!!
The concert ensembles continue to thrive. The Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, and University Band have had a great year so far with some fantastic concerts. The Concert Band has experienced great growth under the baton of Dr. Deininger. The ensembles continue to perform new literature and are actively involved in the commissioning of new works. The Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony have performed numerous new pieces of which K-State was a consortium member.
The 31st annual Concert Band Clinic saw almost 600 young musicians come to campus and participate in 6 honor bands. Almost 75 band directors attended clinics, rehearsals, and a concert by the Wind Ensemble. This K-State classic continues to grow after the pandemic and we are excited to bring all of these potential K-Staters to our campus.
The Manhattan Municipal Band enjoyed a great summer of concerts featuring soloists and very entertaining summertime music to hundreds at each concert. Our students, faculty, and staff also played in the ensemble.
We continue as directors to get out into the public schools to teach, lecture, conduct, and recruit the best to one day become members of the Wildcat Band family. We are also busy teaching, conducting, lecturing, and presenting across the country spreading the word about this great University and band program.
We will continue to represent us all well, and to educate our students the K-State way across the country and world!
Thank you, Go Cats, and GO BAND!
Dr. Frank Tracz
Director of Bands
Dr. Alex Wimmer
Associate Director
Dr. Zack Deininger
Assistant Director
Scholarships Info
Music Award Scholarships
The Department of Music annually sponsors Music Awards Days.
Students seeking scholarships may audition for the studio faculty.
Scholarship funds are available in the performance areas.
Interested students should contact the chairman of the Department of Music.
109 McCain Auditorium
Manhattan, KS 66506
(785) 532-5740
Scholarships Available to Band Students
Music Awards Scholarship:
Requires an audition, usually held in February and March.
Available to music majors and some non-music majors and based on ability.
This is a departmental scholarship.
To set-up an audition, call or write the Department of Music Office to schedule an appointment.
Alumni Band Scholarship:
This award is based on the instrument needs of the Band and the student's own financial need.
An audition is left to the discretion of the Director of Bands.
Marching Band/Concert Bands Scholarships:
These scholarships are based on the instrument need of the bands as well as the student's performance ability.
An audition is left to the discretion of the Director of Bands.
Marching Pride Scholarship:
The Marching Pride Scholars Program was begun in 2010 to help offset the rising costs of college for KSUMB members. Since 2013, third and fourth year veterans of the KSUMB have received a $500 scholarship. The Marching Pride Scholars Program is supported by private donations and by the proceeds raised by the annual K-State Marching Pride Golf Tournament (http://www.k-state.edu/band/specialevents/golf.html).
KSUMB Drum Major-Section Leaders Scholarships/Endowments:
All Drum Majors (Head, Assistant) and Section Leaders (Head, Assistant, Marching and Maneuvering, Music) receive a scholarship after auditioning and interviewing for these leadership positions. More than half of these positions are also endowed for at least $500. Depending on the endowment, students who have earned leadership position can receive anywhere from $250-$1,000 in scholarships.
KSUMB Student Staff Scholarships:
The KSUMB Student Staff is comprised of third/forth year KSUMB veterans who organize, facilitate, and execute the "behind-the-scenes" work that allows the KSUMB to function on a daily basis. They are comprised mostly of Music Education Majors. From setting up the field for rehearsals to picking up trash after KSUMB events, the Student Staff helps ensure that the KSUMB begins and leaves every event/venue better than they found it.
Midwest Music Award:
This scholarship is provided by the Midwest Music Company of Salina, Kansas.
The fund is intended to attract quality instrumentalists regardless of major
to perform in the K-State band. Scholarships are awarded by the Director of Bands.
Rod Funk Memorial Band Scholarship:
This scholarship is endowed in memory of Rod Funk by his family and friends.
Rod graduated from Goessel High School in 1972.
In 1978 he received the degree of Family Childcare Development from K-State.
As a member of the band Rod was named the Outstanding Bandsman
and served as the Vice President of Kappa Kappa Psi in 1978.
He was known as an individual who would always go the "extra mile" to get the job done.
This scholarship is provided for students enrolled in any curriculum
who are members of the Kansas State University Marching Band.
Preference is given to Kansas residents.
Horner Family Scholarship:
The Horner family, in memory of their parents Jack and Lorraine, sponsors this scholarship.
Stan Finck KKY/TBS Scholarship:
Sponsored by the endowment of the late Stan Finck, Director of Bands at KSU from 1982-1991.
