About the UC Bearcat Bands

The UC Bearcat Bands make up the university's campus band program and are distinct and separate from the College Conservatory of Music. The UC Bands serve as both an academic class and a student group as an independent department within the Division of Student Life.

People often wonder why the organization is named The Bearcat Bands instead of The Bearcat Band. Since 1955, the name has been represented in the plural to better reflect the many facets of the organization. The main body of the Bearcat Bands performs three primary overlapping functions as each year progresses: marching band, pep band, and concert band. In addition to these, many members of the organization participate in smaller satellite groups such as jazz band, winter drumline, winter guard, and a number of smaller ensembles. Finally, organizations such as the Summer Alumni/Community Band and the UC Band Alumni Association fall under the umbrella of the Bearcat Bands.

In recent years, the UC Bearcat Bands has performed at many venues across the United States, several of which are listed below:

• New Orleans Sugar Bowl
• New York Madison Square Garden Big East Basketball Championship
• Miami Orange Bowl
• Cincinnati Paul Brown Stadium
• Birmingham Papajohns.com Bowl
• Toronto International Bowl