What’s in it for You?

To join or get more information, make sure to fill out the interest form now!

Leadership and Academics

As a student-run organization, the Cal Band is the perfect environment for students to grow personally and professionally. Regular band members elected or appointed as Cal Band officers are the ones who book hotels and flights for away trips, communicate with and run events for those who hire the Band, create the field shows we march, design and oversee fundraising events, organize merchandising, communicate with the University to set up our schedule and resources for the year, oversee recruitment, and receive many more valuable experiences with managing both internal and external relations.

Students have the opportunity to gain marketable skills through participation in committees like the Public Relations Committee, the Administrative Committee, HACK (internal computer services for the band), the Green Committee, Director’s Assistants, Academic Advisors, the Tellefsen Hall Executive Board and dozens more.

Our Drum Major Leading the Band

While marching season only runs through the fall semester, opportunities for involvement with the Cal Band exist all year long! During our more casual spring schedule, some students choose to spend more time in other clubs, organizations, or academic work and still have opportunities to play with the band when they want to. Even during the summer there are opportunities to stay involved and gain valuable experiences through recruiting, summer performances, and preparation for the next year.

The band is not only a fun opportunity to continue playing music and build community throughout college, but also a resource for building future connections and marketable skills. Our alumni are always offering current band members opportunities to connect with them professionally through band networking events and internship opportunities.

We encourage members to utilize their resources and community in the band and its alumni to expand their horizons!


A Home in the University

Our members often choose to live in the Home of the Band, Tellefsen Hall. Built in 1894 and occupied by the band for more than 50 years, and conveniently located just one block from the north edge of campus, Tellefsen Hall (or TH as it is commonly called) houses 44 students in double, triple, and quadruple occupancy rooms. This location makes it uniquely convenient for engineering and computer science students due to its very close proximity to related buildings, as well as making it very easy to wake up for game days.

Tellefsen Hall

Unlike the dorms, the house, has its own student leadership board that works in conjunction with the Band leadership to provide a more personal and enjoyable experience for its band members. Students of all backgrounds enjoy the community dynamic, the joint house activities, and the great food (provided by our chef, Nick) that TH offers.

Band members who do not choose to live at TH are encouraged to become house social members in order to take advantage of a meal per week as well as house social activities (such as formal dances, Great America trips, and broomball) at a low flat rate each year. Due to the convenience, the low cost, and the supportive atmosphere that TH provides, many band members find their time at TH an integral part of their college experience. All of these advantages make TH one of the most important services that the Cal Band offers its members each year.

 Feel free to contact the House Manager to schedule a tour of Tellefsen Hall or ask any questions you might have about living in the house!


Performances

(Also see the Schedule and Performances page)
The Cal Band performs for a variety of functions around the University, the Bay Area, the state, and the country.

The Cal Band marches in the 2018 Warriors Victory Parade.

You can check out our pregame and halftime shows here on our YouTube channel! The entire marching band is present at every home football game and the yearly away game in L.A. The Straw Hat Band, a volunteer-based division of the Cal Band, attends many away football games, basketball games, preforms at various private parties, parades, and sporting events around the Bay Area.

Recent Straw Hat Band performances include:

Cal Band plays a surprise feature with the Boston Pops Orchestra in the Greek Theatre. Photo credit: Brittany Hosea Small
  • Performed with Bay-Area based rapper P-Lo in 2022
  • Annual trips across the PAC-12. During the 2021-2022 year we flew to Seattle to perform at the University of Washington, drove to Los Angeles to perform at UCLA, and flew to Las Vegas to perform at the PAC-12 Men’s Basketball tournament. All trips are free for band members!
  • Accompanying an adorable surprise engagement for Cal alumni in spring of 2019!
  • A surprise collaboration with the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Greek Theatre in 2018
  • Leading the 2018 Golden State Warriors Victory Parade in Oakland
  • Marching in the San Francisco Giants’ 2010 and 2012 World Series Victory Parades
  • Performing in the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show with Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Bruno Mars
The Cal Band performs at Super Bowl 50 alongsiide Beyonce and Coldplay.
The Cal Band performs with Beyonce and Coldplay in Super Bowl 50.
  • Performing in another halftime show for the San Francisco ‘49ers
  • A 2-week international tour performing throughout Asia in 2016
  • Traveling with the basketball teams to Las Vegas, Seattle, Texas, and North Carolina