Gold Star Marching Band 2026 Schedule

First-Year Summer Orientation Sessions | June-August

Make sure to come say hello to us at our booth at the Resource Fair during your scheduled orientation session!

Preseason Schedule

The Gold Star Marching Band preseason is designed to establish the musical, visual, and organizational foundation for the entire season. All members are expected to be fully present and engaged for the entirety of camp.

Leadership Camp | August 13th

Drum majors, section leaders, and student leadership will participate in a full day of training focused on leadership expectations, teaching strategies, and preparation for band camp.

Wind Section Leadership Camp | August 14th

Wind section leaders will continue with additional training focused on music instruction, section organization, and teaching responsibilities.

Drumline & Color Guard Early Move-In | August 14

Drumline and Color Guard members will move into their assigned dorms on Friday, August 14.

Report to the Challey School of Music Atrium between 12:00–2:00 PM
Check in with band leadership and receive housing keys (if living on campus)
Move into your residence hall following check-in
A section-specific evening event will be held to connect and prepare for camp

Drumline & Color Guard Camp | August 15–16

These sections will hold dedicated preseason camps to build essential skills and prepare for full band camp.

Drumline auditions will take place the morning of August 15
Audition materials will be shared in advance once available

Full Band Camp | August 16–22

All members report for full band camp beginning August 16.

Camp will run daily through August 22 and will include:

Morning fundamentals and music rehearsals
Afternoon visual block and drill learning
Evening full ensemble rehearsals

Members should be prepared for full days of activity, both indoors and outdoors, in a wide range of weather conditions.

Band camp is the primary time to:

Learn the first halftime production
Learn the entirety of pregame drill
Establish marching and playing fundamentals
Prepare for the first performances of the season

Important Expectations

Attendance at all preseason activities is required
Members should arrive prepared, on time, and ready to participate fully each day
Additional details (packing list, daily schedules, materials, etc.) will be provided closer to camp

In-Season Schedule

Weekly Rehearsals

Rehearsals take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 4:05 to 5:45pm. Location is determined upon weather and content for the rehearsal, but is commonly held outdoors on the Band Practice Field or inside Challey Hall.

Performance Schedule

Mandatory Performances

August 29th | vs Jacksonville State

September 5th | vs Fordham

September 6th | Minnesota State Fair Parade

October 3rd | Homecoming vs Wyoming

October 10th | Youth In Music Exhibition Performance at US Bank Stadium

October 17th | vs Nevada

October 31st | vs The University of Texas El Paso

November 21st | vs Northern Illinois University

Note: additional mandatory performances may be scheduled prior to the start of the 2026 season.

Non-Mandatory Bison Pep Band Events

The Bison Pep Band performs at a variety of events during the school year, both on and off campus. We perform at all the home Volleyball Games during the Fall semester, as well as Men's and Women's Basketball Games during the Spring semester. These events are encouraged to be present, however not mandatory, and hold no weight in the grading of Marching Band. (MUSC 111-01)

For more information about being a part of the Bison Pep band, visit it's webpage here.

Gameday Schedule

With NDSU Football's recent move to the FBS as a part of the Mountain West Conference, a new gameday schedule is being developed. Gamedays will still be an all day experience, starting with a Section Breakfast, leading into a rehearsal at the FARGODOME. Exact details will be released closer to the start of the season.