Ensembles & Instrumentation
Marching Band (Athletic Band)
MUS268 (Variable 0-2 credits beginning, Spring 2026)
Fall Semester only (LaValle Stadium / Track Field)
Acting Director - Pamela Pfeil
Assistant Director - Dr. Taylor Peterson
Fall Semester only: Mondays 6:30p-8:30p, Thursdays 6:30p-8:30p, and select Fridays 2:00p-4:00p; additionally, all Football Game Days and other announced events are required. Preseason (Band Camp) is required and begins 8 days prior to the start of Fall Semester for all Winds, or 11 days prior to the start of Fall Semester for all Drumline, Color Guard, and Leadership.
Marching Band, also known as the Spirit of Stony Brook, performs at all home Football Games in the Fall Semester, and at various other events on and off campus throughout the year. Most students participate year-round. No audition is required; however, experience playing any of the instruments below, and reading music, is required. Previous marching band experience is not required and you do not need to be a music major. There may be part placements for divisi parts. You must complete the Interest Form.> > > > > How to Join Marching Band < < < < <
Instrumentation: Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto and Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone, Drumline (snare, tenors, bass, and cymbals only), Color Guard (flags only), and Feature Twirler (selected annually via competitive audition)
Varsity Band (Athletic Band)
MUS268 (Variable 0-2 credits, beginning Spring 2026)
Fall and Spring Semesters (SB Union L03 / SAC Auditorium)
Acting Director - Pamela Pfeil
Assistant Director - Dr. Taylor PetersonFall Semester, upon completion of required Marching Band: Mondays 6:30p-8:30p and Thursdays 6:30p-8:30p; additionally, select night and weekend basketball events, and other announced events, are required.
Spring Semester: Mondays 6:30p-8:30p and Thursdays 6:30p-8:30p; additionally, select night and weekend basketball events, and other announced events, are required.
Varsity Band (Pep Band) is the same personnel as the Marching Band, and performs for all events not related to football, including all home Women's and Men's Basketball (plus post-season tournaments in Washington DC and nationally), and select Volleyball games. Additionally, the Varsity Band performs on and off campus at various other events throughout the year. Most students participate year-round. The culminating performance of the year is the Annual Varsity Band Spring Concert every April in Island Federal Arena. No audition is required and you do not need to be a music major; however, experience playing any of the instruments below, and reading music, is required. There may be part placements for divisi parts. You must complete the Interest Form.> > > > > How to Join Varsity Band < < < < <
Instrumentation: Piccolo, Clarinet, Alto and Tenor Saxophone, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, Sousaphone, Drumline (snare, tenors, bass, and cymbals only), Drumset, Color Guard (flags and weapons), and Feature Twirler (selected annually via competitive audition)
SBYou Band (Summer Band)
Not for credit
Summer (July)SBYou Band is postponed for Summer 2025
July (one week only): Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday (6:00p-9:00p)
The SBYou Band will perform contemporary and traditional wind repertoire, including Stony Brook Seawolf favorites, and will comprise wind and percussion musicians from across campus (students, faculty, and staff) and beyond (alumni, community members, local and regional music teachers, and students). The SBYou Band is planned to launch in Summer 2025 over the course of one week, including two rehearsals and an outdoor concert on the Staller Steps.
There is no audition and participation is open to all.Instrumentation: Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bari Saxophone, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Battery and Keyboard Percussion, Timpani, and String Bass