UA News

The University of Arizona band department and the Glassman Foundation are hosting the 56th annual Band Day at Arizona Stadium. The Southwest’s finest marching bands will participate in this exciting daylong event. The Pride of Arizona Marching Band, under the direction of interim director Scott Matlick, will also present two performances.

This year’s event features bands from Arizona and around the southwest, ranging in size from 28 to more than 250 members. The performance order of each band is determined by the group’s relative size, starting with the smallest in the morning and ending with the largest in the evening. Each band is evaluated by a panel of expert judges from around the nation in a number of categories, including visual execution, musical presentation and overall performance. The groups receive ratings, and any band deemed deserving by the judges will receive the prestigious Nunamaker Award.

Between 8,000 and 10,000 spectators attend the festival yearly. The morning and afternoon sessions will end with an exhibition performance by the UA's own Pride of Arizona Marching Band. This year’s electrifying performance features the music of one of America's greatest rock bands, Aerosmith.