The Auburn University Marching Band is more than just the soundtrack of Auburn Athletics. From weeks of practice in the summer heat to unbreakable bonds with their found family of musicians, a band member’s passion for their craft intertwines every aspect of their life and unfurls an infectious positivity to all of Auburn.
AUMB is composed of 380 wind players, percussionists and Tiger Eyes whose work begins during the summer at preseason camp, where prospective members spend the first week proving that their playing ability, marching technique and character is up to the Auburn standard.
Ross Tolbert, senior in music education, served as the head drum major of the AUMB for the 2024 football season, leading his peers in rehearsals Tuesday through Friday, at Saturday football games and at pep rallies across the area.
Tolbert first joined band in sixth grade, and after one year with the AUMB, he decided to deepen his involvement by trying out for drum major. When compared to non-band students, Tolbert said that band members experience a unique perspective of the community and its history.
“You get to touch community members in a way, like we perform at elementary schools, and getting to see the excitement on a little kid's face when they hear the band playing, is something special,” Tolbert said. “You get to see very much special moments in Auburn history that maybe you wouldn't have seen if you wouldn't have just taken a chance and auditioned.”
The AUMB does not only value the highest level of musicianship and showmanship possible.
The Rookie Auburn Tigers Program leaders assist freshman and first year AUMB members as they ease into their college experience by teaching them about Auburn traditions and hosting social events like R.A.T. adoption night where older members “adopt” a new member for the season.
Erin Lockhart, senior in music education and percussion section leader, pointed to Marching Band Director Dr. Corey Spurlin and Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Dr. Nikki Gross for creating a welcoming atmosphere in the band. Even with 380 members, Lockhart said that the directors, graduate teaching assistants and drum majors attempt to memorize every member's name to a face.
“It's just an environment of positivity and light and love and encouragement,” Lockhart said. “It's so easy just to create this atmosphere that we just like, love, and then we do so much hard work together.”
Raised by a die-hard Auburn sports family, Lockhart grew up attending university athletic events. Because Auburn has always felt like a second home to her and the half-time show was her favorite part of a football game, successfully making the marching band has been a dream come true for Lockhart.
“I really love the family environment that Auburn gives both inside music and outside, and the support that that gives. I always feel grounded, I always feel supported. I always feel at home, like it, truthfully, is a home. And I love every minute that I'm here,” Lockhart said.
Lockhart noted the strong support that the AUMB receives from the Auburn community and university, referencing the packed stadium seats at half-time and new opportunities from the lighting department for “glow shows” like their award winning Metallica show.
Whether it be music-related or not, Lockhart’s love for Auburn and pride for the band’s dedication is clear.
“I do believe that every student that goes here impacts Auburn as a whole, in some form or fashion,” Lockhart said. “And the band is just our way of doing that. And we get to kind of be a part of something bigger and do something to give back to Auburn, for all they give back to us.”
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Jennifer Santiago is a freshman in exploratory studies from Enterprise, AL. Santiago has been with The Auburn Plainsman since Fall 2024.
