The Spirit of Gold Drumline consists of musicians from a variety of universities and backgrounds. While the drumline performs with the rest of the Spirit of Gold marching band during the regular football season, other opportunities also present themselves such as playing during the basketball season under the title of Dore Slam and gigs off campus. The drumline stays in form throughout the year by getting together outside the normal rehearsals as well as doing video assignments online. The members of the drumline also get together and have fun outside of rehearsal creating a real family atmosphere. All the work and dedication, as well as bonding, does pay off though, and this represents itself in a commonly used phrase among members of the drumline: "It is fun to be good."
Membership in the Spirit of Gold Drumline and Dore Slam Drumline is open to all students attending Vanderbilt University as well as other Nashville area universities (including Belmont University, Lipscomb University, Nashville State Community College, and Trevecca Nazarene University among others).
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are held three times a week:
- Tuesday 4:30pm-6:30pm
- Thursday 4:30pm-6:30pm
- Friday 5:30pm-7:30pm
An additional rehearsal is held on Saturday mornings the day of home football games (exact timing varies depending on kickoff time). Check out our entire Game Day schedule here!
Practices are held at either McGugin Athletic Fields, the indoor field house in the Student Recreation Center, or on Dudley Field at FirstBank Stadium.
Band Camp
Band Camp is held a week before classes begin and includes extensive training in marching and playing at the college level. In addition to regular rehearsals, there are lots of social activities planned throughout the week to give students a chance to relax and meet new friends! The band's early arrival on campus provides each individual an opportunity to get settled in the residence halls, rent books, make tons of new friends, and adjust to a new environment and a new independence before classes begin. Attendance at camp is mandatory.
Instrumentation
The Spirit of Gold Drumline includes...
- Marching Snare
- Marching Tenors (Quads)
- Marching Bass Drum
- Marching Cymbals
Auditions / Placement Assessment
There are no auditions for the Spirit of Gold Drumline.
The Vanderbilt Athletic Bands accept all persons willing to put in the effort to make the band successful. The purpose of the Placement Assessment is to make sure everyone is placed in a role that allows for success without undue stress. The Athletic Bands move quickly, and we understand that our members are students. Every year, we have members who have never marched before and quickly become valuable members.
The Spirit of Gold Drumline will hold placement assessments at the start of band camp. Contact us here to request more information and materials.
The Drumline holds preparatory virtual sessions to help interested individuals prepare materials.
Travel
The Spirit of Gold Drumline typically travels to at least one away game each season (if the game is held in Knoxville, we will travel to the Tennessee game).
The Spirit of Gold Drumline will also travel to any post-season bowl games.
Travel and food are provided at no cost to the students.
Cost
Members get paid to be a part of the Vanderbilt Drumline! While there is an initial nominal fee to join the Spirit of Gold Marching Band ( which covers uniform cleaning, t-shirt, band banquet, and some social events ) students receive a Service Award at the end of the season. Additional items for purchase include extra gloves, black marching band shoes, and maintenance of your personal instrument. All other uniform items and travel costs ( hotels, meals, etc. ) are provided free to all members. Instruments, drumheads, and sticks are also provided free to all members of the Spirit of Gold Drumline.
