WARHAWK MARCHING BAND
Wisconsin’s Finest
Music that energizes the university. Friendships that last a lifetime.
Students from all majors have the opportunity to join the renowned Warhawk Marching Band. This ensemble provides spirited performances at all home football games, hosts the Wisconsin School Music Association’s State Marching Band Championships and performs in parades and other highly visible events, including Green Bay Packers games at historic Lambeau Field.
CAN WE BRAG A LITTLE?
UW-Whitewater's Warhawk Marching Band brought the energy to the Green Bay Packers halftime show featuring the songs “Come Alive” from “The Greatest Showman” and “The Club” from “In the Heights.” All 162 UWW band members and color guard performed in front of 77,432 fans on November 19, 2023.
The Warhawk Marching Band performs in front of the largest crowds in the nation among NCAA Division III schools. Perkins Stadium holds the all-time record for attendance at an on-campus football game with more than 20,000 fans.
Why join the Marching Band at UW-Whitewater?
A supportive community.
When a new member joins the Warhawk Marching Band, they immediately become part of a close-knit community. Veteran members take new members under their wings. Students share a passion for music and a drive to excel. Lifelong friendships (even Warhawk weddings) come out of participation in the ensemble.
Membership in a passionate group of alumni will increase the opportunities in your personal and professional life.
Unparalleled excellence.
The Warhawk Marching Band sets the standard for what an exemplary contemporary collegiate marching band can be. We are the only university band in the state to have a full front ensemble, which opens more opportunities for students.
Our music is custom arranged for us. We perform music of all genres — compositions that are relevant to current students and society at large — providing the highest quality of musical experience for our members and the audience.
Contemporary style, both in marching technique and show concept, are central to our identity and success.
What our Marching Band students do
Perform at Warhawk Football games
Create pride in UW-Whitewater and for the Warhawk Family
Make lifelong friendships and connections
Hands-on learning experiences
Using their individual talents, Warhawk Marching Band members work as a team to achieve performance excellence.
Students rehearse with their peers every week, and learn valuable team building skills, memorization techniques, and physical/musical coordination.
You’ll learn to work with all kinds of people and skill sets. Moreover, students gain invaluable discipline skills and personal accountability, which will serve them well in life, regardless of major.
The Warhawk Marching Band builds self-confidence. Everything students learn transfers to their life and career.
Inclusive and welcoming
We’ve had student members with various abilities, from using a wheelchair to performing with visual impairment to autism, be successful.
We welcome students who were active in high school band, but never marched or have minimal experience. We’ll guide you to a level of excellence you could not imagine.
Ready to Warhawk Strut? This song is part of our repertoire and gets people dancing! Watch video »
A dedicated Color Guard
This unique section of the band uses expressive dance, flags and vibrant color to enhance the overall effect of the show. In the color guard, members work with a professional color guard instructor to develop skills with props and choreographed movement. Our color guard performs at a higher level of expressiveness and variety than groups at other universities.
Our Marching Band faculty
A legend in college music, Professor Hayes has inspired generations of Warhawks since becoming director of bands in 1987. A sought-after resource and expert, Doc is the second person in history to be inducted into the Wisconsin School Music Association Marching Band Hall of Fame.
A respected percussionist who performs with orchestras across the country, Tobie Wilkinson leads UW-Whitewater’s percussion studio, a thriving and vibrant place to train young musicians. He is associate director of the Warhawk Marching Band, working closely with the percussion section as instructor and arranger.
Want to learn more about performing in the Warhawk Marching Band?
262-472-4801, hayesg@uww.edu | 262-472-5703, wilkinst@uww.edu
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The Warhawk Marching Band is open to ALL students at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater regardless of major. Although previous marching experience is beneficial to prospective members, it is not required.
Registering for the Warhawk Marching Band is easy! Just add the course MUSC 169-01 when you register for fall classes. No auditions are required for winds, brass, and color guard.
Note to percussionists: Once you register, you are in the band. However, you are required to play a placement audition on the first day of band camp to determine what instrument best suits your abilities and needs of the band.
Registration Information:
MUSC 169-01, CLASS # 2546
MW from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. and Saturday mornings (only before performances)
Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025
8 a.m.-12 p.m. All percussion and color guard move in (lunch on your own).
1 p.m. Percussion and guard meet in Greenhill Center of the Arts, Light Recital Hall.
1:15 p.m. Percussion auditions begin for all new members, and for returning members wishing to audition for a new instrument in the percussion section. Color guard meets with the color guard instructor.
5 p.m. Dinner in the Center of the Arts, provided by WMB
6-9 p.m. Rehearsal for percussion and color guard
Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025
**NOTE: Color guard and percussion in rehearsal all day**
8 a.m.-12 p.m. All brass and woodwinds move in (lunch on your own).
1 p.m. Brass and woodwinds meet in the Greenhill Center of the Arts, Light Recital Hall.
1:30 p.m. Section activities (details TBA)
5 p.m. Dinner in the Center of the Arts, provided by WMB
6-9 p.m. Rehearsal for brass and woodwinds
Monday, Aug. 25-Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Morning rehearsal block (details TBA)
12-1:20 p.m. Lunch break
1:30-5 p.m. Afternoon rehearsal block (details TBA)
5-6:20 p.m. Dinner break
6:30-9 p.m. Evening rehearsal block (details TBA)
Friday, Aug. 29, 2025
9 a.m.-12 p.m. Morning rehearsal block (details TBA)
12-1:20 p.m. Lunch break
1:30-4 p.m. Afternoon rehearsal block (details TBA)
4 p.m. Camp ends (dinner on your own)
All performances at Perkins Stadium unless otherwise noted.
- Sept. 6, 2025: vs. Carleton College, 1 p.m. kickoff
- Sept. 14, 2025: Parade for Gemuetlichkeit Days in Jefferson, WI (TBA)
- Oct. 4, 2025: vs. UW-La Crosse, 1 p.m. kickoff (Family Fest)
- Oct. 17, 2025: vs. UW-Stout, 1 p.m. kickoff (Friday night game)
- Oct. 18, 2025: State Marching Band Championships (All Day)
- Oct. 25, 2025: vs. UW-Platteville, 1 p.m. kickoff (Homecoming)
- Nov. 8, 2025: vs. UW-Eau Claire, 1 p.m. kickoff (Military Appreciation Day)
- Dec. 1, 2025: Warhawk Marching Band Banquet (Required event)
