1. Who is the organizer of the National Intercollegiate Band?
The NIB and the National Commissioning Program are projects funded by the Boards of Trustees of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.
The operation and organization of the band is managed by:
- ΤΒΣ National Vice President of Professional Relations Dr. LaToya Webb
- ΚΚΨ National Vice President of Professional Relations Dr. William Lake
- Aaron Moore, National Headquarters
- Lisa Croston, National Headquarters
2. What expenses are covered by the NIB?
- Hotel rooms (double occupancy) are provided Sunday afternoon through Wednesday morning.
- Luncheon on Monday afternoon.
3. What expenses are covered by the chosen musicians?
- Travel expenses and other meal expenses are the responsibility of the participant.
4. What kind of recordings will I need to submit for my audition?
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You will submit a video link including all required audition components (see below). Your audition video will be used for placement into the National Intercollegiate Band as well as your chair placement. Participation is chosen by instrumentation numbers; once sections are filled, alternates will be assigned in order of their audition ranking.
All participants will receive an email notifying them of one of the following statuses:
- Accepted , Chair #
- Alternate, #
- Not Accepted
Audition Requirements:
- Submit an audition video.
- Prospective musicians must perform the provided excerpts and a full range chromatic scale on your instrument.
- Please use a high-resolution device (i.e., cellular phone, computer/laptop, iPad/tablet). The recording does not have to be professionally made; however, we recommend that you ensure the recording is of high quality and without technical problems.
- EACH video component must be done in one continuous, unedited take. If you need to merge each unedited component into one video, please do so with an editing software- many are free.
- Your face, fingers, valves, keys, or slides must be visible at all times in the video.
- Upload your complete video to a File Sharing service such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or YouTube. If using Google Drive or Dropbox, please enable your video link sharing settings so that anyone with the link can view. If using YouTube, please select the unlisted video option, not private.
- Save/Rename Video Title as: 2025 NIB Audition_First Last Name (i.e., 2025 NIB Audition_Skylar Seaton
- Provide a short introduction of yourself (hello/first and last name)
- Submit 2 selections:
- Perform the provided contrasting excerpts and a full range chromatic scale, demonstrating your musical sensitivity and phrasing.
- *Percussionists should include an additional selection and perform on at least three instruments (timpani, snare drum, and mallets). Please indicate if you are fluent in other instruments or musical styles in your video (i.e., hand drumming, drumset, etc.)
- Optional: Your selections may be performed with or without accompaniment.
5. Are there grants, scholarships, or funds available?
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Max Mitchell Grant Program
- Beginning with the 2019 National Intercollegiate Band, the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association (ΚΚΨAA) offers those that audition for the NIB to apply for the Max Mitchell Grant Program as part of their audition. Reimbursement grants in the amount of $250 will be awarded to those applicants selected by the ΚΚΨAA Awards Committee.
- If you would like to be considered for a Max Mitchell Grant, please prepare separate responses to the essay prompts below with your audition application. You will upload these files (Word or PDF) to your NIB application. Following the selection of NIB musicians in the beginning of April, the Max Mitchell Grant recipients will be announced in mid to late May. All NIB applicants are encouraged to apply for a Max Mitchell Grant, regardless of their membership in either Kappa Kappa Psi or Tau Beta Sigma.
- The following questions make up the grant application portion of the audition. Please limit your response to each essay prompt to 500 words or less.
- Describe the impact of music and band on your life and what you hope to gain from participation in the National Intercollegiate Band.
- Identify up to three recognitions, awards, and/or honors you have received with regard to your band musicianship, and explain why they are meaningful to you.
- OPTIONAL: While financial need is not necessarily a determining factor in selecting grant recipients, please provide any information that you feel is pertinent regarding potential financial difficulties that may limit your ability to participate in the National Intercollegiate Band.
- Beginning with the 2019 National Intercollegiate Band, the Kappa Kappa Psi Alumni Association (ΚΚΨAA) offers those that audition for the NIB to apply for the Max Mitchell Grant Program as part of their audition. Reimbursement grants in the amount of $250 will be awarded to those applicants selected by the ΚΚΨAA Awards Committee.
- Student Travel Funding/Grant Opportunities
- Please consider researching and asking your professors about travel funds at your institution. Most institutions and colleges/schools/departments offer funding for both undergraduate and graduate students; some offer funds during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The allowable funding amount varies by each institution and an application is typically required.
- Check with these programs: your college, school, or department of study, Office of Student Affairs, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (may have a similar name), Honors College
- Please consider researching and asking your professors about travel funds at your institution. Most institutions and colleges/schools/departments offer funding for both undergraduate and graduate students; some offer funds during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The allowable funding amount varies by each institution and an application is typically required.
- Fundraising Ideas
- Inquire if the Kappa Kappa Psi or Tau Beta Sigma chapter(s) at your institution can sponsor you or help to raise funds for your travel.
- Does your college band program have an alumni band or an alumni Kappa Kappa Psi or Tau Beta Sigma chapter? If so, ask if they would consider sponsoring or raising funds for your travel.
- Self-fundraise – perhaps you can raise funds to help with your travel. Ask your peers, professors, previous band directors, family, friends, and others to contribute. Tell them about the NIB and share why you would like to participate. Providing the website may be helpful: https://nib.kkytbsonline.com/
6. What do members of the NIB need to wear for the concert?
- Dress for the concert is all black
- Black button-down shirt or black blouse (short or long sleeved)
- Black dress or long skirt (shoulders and knees must be covered)
- Black slacks or black dress pants (chino pants are acceptable)
- Black closed toe dress shoes and black socks and/or skin color hosiery
7. Will I get to practice the music before onsite rehearsals?
- Music will be distributed (by instrument) via DropBox to those members selected to perform in the NIB.
8. What instruments are provided?
- In most cases, we are able to provide some large instruments like Tuba and Euphonium (subject to availability), but encourage you to bring your own when possible. If you are using a provided horn, you will need to bring your own mouthpiece and valve oil.
- Percussion instruments are provided, but percussionists will need to bring their own sticks, mallets, and small auxiliary percussion instruments.
9. Is there a tentative schedule for NIB participants?
- Coming soon