University of Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band The University of Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band ( also known as the Marching Red or The Pride of All Nebraska ) is the marching band of the University of Nebraska . It performs at all home football games . Founded in 1879 , the Marching Red is one of the oldest and best - known collegiate marching bands in the United States . The band consists of 290 students from over 70 different academic majors from across the campus . Thanks to the success of the Husker football program , the Marching Red is also one of the most traveled bands in the country having participated in all of the major bowl games . They have appeared multiple times at the Rose , Fiesta , Orange , Sugar , Cotton , Sun , and Alamo Bowls , and have made single appearances at the Bluebonnet , Liberty , Holiday , Citrus , Independence and Gator Bowls . On November 19 , 2011 , the Cornhusker Marching Band performed at Michigan Stadium , in front of the largest audience ever to watch the band . The Cornhusker Band has also made several international tours , visiting continental Europe and Ireland . The Cornhusker Marching Band has been the recipient of many honors over the years , including the John Philip Sousa Foundation ' s Sudler Trophy in 1996 . The Sudler Trophy is presented annually to a college marching band program that has demonstrated particular excellence over a period of years . A ballot of all NCAA marching band directors selects the trophy recipient . The Marching Red has been seen by millions of viewers on television , and appeared on the Kennedy Center stage as part of the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony . In 2005 the band was featured on the NBC prime time series Tommy Lee Goes to College and in 2007 on ABC ' s . On October 13 , 2007 , a film crew from the comedy film , Yes Man , starring Jim Carrey filmed portions of the movie at Memorial Stadium including several shots of the marching band . Auditions . To become a member , each person must pass a music audition or attend a mini - camp as is the case sometimes for percussion and color guard . After first cuts , a second marching and music memorization audition follows . Game Day Traditions . On home football game days , the band rehearses for two hours in Memorial Stadium , beginning five - and - a - half hours before kickoff . A two - hour break follows . An hour - and - a - half before kickoff , the band meets in Westbrook Music Building in full uniform for warm - up and final instructions . Following is a free outdoor concert at Kimball Recital Hall and the traditional march to the stadium . Pregame Spectacular . Throughout the history of the Marching Red , the Band has performed many well known and beloved fight songs at football games , most of which can be heard during the pregame performance . The band maintains the tradition of playing the opposing team ' s fight song during its pregame performance . The Cornhusker Marching Band ' s " Pregame Spectacular " begins with a drum cadence , during which the band high - steps out from beneath each corner of the stadium . When the drum cadence changes pace , the band runs onto the field as the announcer exclaims " Now is the time for the Marching Red Experience - Presenting the University of Nebraska Cornhusker . . . Marching Band ! " As the band plays fanfares to the crowd , the announcer proclaims " This is the Pride of All Nebraska ! " before introducing the drum majors and twirlers . " It ' s Football Saturday in Memorial Stadium , and there is NO PLACE LIKE NEBRASKA ! " The Cornhusker Marching Band ' s Pregame Performance contains : Organization . Directors . The band is led by Director Anthony Falcone and Assistant Director Douglas Bush . The UNL Director of Bands is Carolyn Barber . Instructors and Graduate Teaching Assistants . Drumline Instructor - Ben Shellhaas , previously filled by Nate Campbell until 2009 when he moved with his wife out of state . Color Guard Instructor - Ashlea Jurgens During rehearsals , the directors are assisted by three graduate teaching assistants ( GTAs ) . The GTAs are responsible for attendance , some rehearsal setup , and general drill cleaning and supervision . The GTAs also assist the director in conducting the pregame performance . A drumline instructor and colorguard instructor work closely with their specific sections . Support Staff . The band is supported by an administrative technician and a band secretary . Student Leadership . Three to four drum majors serve as the highest student authority in the band . The drum majors conduct the halftime performance and assist the directors and GTAs in conducting the pregame performance . The drum majors are responsible for overseeing the rest of the student leadership . Each instrumental section is led by a section leader . The section leader is responsible for the musical performance of the section . Each section consists of one rank ( except trumpets and trombones , which consist of three ranks each ) , and each rank is led by two or three rank leaders . The rank leaders are responsible for the marching performance of the rank and assist the section leader in sectional rehearsals and music memorization checks .