Auburn University Marching Band The Auburn University Marching Band ( AUMB ) is the marching band of Auburn University and the 2004 recipient of the Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy . With 380 members , the band traces its origins to 1897 when M . Thomas Fullan proposed to then - president Dr . William Broun that the drum corps accompanying cadet drills be replaced with a full instrumental band . The Auburn University Marching Band performs pre - game and half - time shows at all Auburn Tigers football home games and travels to most away games . ( A smaller pep band composed of AUMB members supports the Auburn Tigers at all away games the full band does not attend . ) The band has marched in three Presidential Inaugural parades ; those of Presidents Harry S . Truman ( 1949 ) , George H . W . Bush ( 1989 ) , and George W . Bush ( 2005 ) . It is the only band in the SEC that does not have a nickname . Former Auburn University President Dr . Harry Philpott said the following about the band : " Some other institutions need to give descriptive names to their bands in order to praise them . The quality of the music , the precision of its drills , and the fine image that it portrays have made it unnecessary for us to say more than , ' This is the Auburn University Band . ' " Leadership . Staff . Directly overseeing the AUMB is the Marching Band Director , who is also the Associate Director of Bands . He leads all full - band rehearsals and performances . While many of the duties are delegated to his GTAs or student leaders , it is his responsibility to ensure the success of the band as a whole . Dr . Corey Spurlin was hired in 2007 as the Marching Band Director upon the promotion of Dr . Rick Good . Dr . Spurlin received his Undergraduate and Masters Degrees from the University of Alabama and his Doctorate from Louisiana State University in Conducting . The Marching Band Director also has an Assistant , who assumes the duties of the Director in his absence . Typically , this Assistant Director also runs the percussion line , overseeing percussion rehearsals and performances . Dr . Doug Rosener has served as the Assistant Marching Band Director of the AUMB since 2005 , arranges all percussion parts for the AUMB field shows , and is also the director of the percussion studios . Overseeing all the Auburn Bands is the Director of Bands . While the Director of Bands may not be present at every function the Auburn University Marching Band performs at , he is ultimately responsible for band . In 2007 , Dr . Rick Good was promoted to the Director of Bands position . Dr . Good earned his Bachelors in Music Education at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania . He earned a Masters at Louisiana State University and his Doctorate at Arizona State University . Dr . Good spent 13 years as the Marching Band director and Associate Professor of Low Brass . Dr . Good took the position upon the retirement of the previous Director of Bands , Dr . Johnnie Vinson . The AUMB also has many Graduate Teaching Assistants who work under the Directors and alongside the Drum Majors in running the band . For the upcoming 2011 season , the GTAs are Zach Dobbs , Susan Steele ( a recent Auburn University Graduate ) , Aaron Toft , and Chapel McCullough . Kristina Cammack oversees the band ' s visual ensemble , The Tiger Eyes . Each line has an individual instructor that specializes in the specific line ' s main concentration : ( i . e . Majorette , Dance , and Flag ) . The band also utilizes many other staffers , including a videographer , librarians , a webmaster , and many others . Student leadership . The AUMB has several student leadership positions , the most visible of which are the drum majors who lead the band on the field and direct the band in the stands . Drum major auditions start with an interview of each applicant by the directors and graduate teaching assistants , along with a conducting audition . Those who pass this first stage then have the opportunity to conduct the band as a whole in various stands tunes during an audition which takes place during a band rehearsal . In addition , each remaining applicant takes part in another audition where they each give a mock lesson on marching technique , as well as demonstrates a routine for the traditional drum major run - out . The 2003 drum majors were Tyler Benjamin ( head ) , Meredith Brazzell , and Chris Schrieber . The 2004 drum majors were Tyler Benjamin ( head ) , Meredith Brazzell , and Matt Souther . The 2005 drum majors were Michael Sinnott ( head ) , Ashley Norwood , and Josh Killion . The 2006 drum majors were Ashley Norwood ( head ) and Bryan Myers . The 2007 drum majors were Bryan Myers ( head ) , Nick Smith , and John Warner . The 2008 drum majors were Nick Smith ( head ) , John Warner , Stuart Ivey , and Karen Kirk . This is the first time , according to the band directors , that the AUMB has had four drum majors . The 2009 drum majors were , Stuart Daubenmire , James Earl Corley III , and Daniel Toner . The 2010 drum majors were James Earl Corley III ( head ) , Daniel Johnson , and Daniel Toner . The 2011 Drum majors were Daniel Johnson ( head ) , Michelle Smith , and Brittney Mason . Emily Gray , Madison Argo , and Rachel Glenn ( head ) are the drum majors for the 2012 season . Each section has one or two " section leaders " , depending on the size of the section . They oversee their section during sectional rehearsals , which could cover music or marching technique . During trips and other events , the drum majors often rely on the section leaders to help organize the band before parades and other performances . Section leaders are also responsible for administrative tasks for their sections such as ensuring attendance at events , and seeing that all necessary forms are filled out by their section members . The band usually has one or more students functioning as " librarians " . They are responsible for ensuring that music , drill sheets , etc . are printed and ready for rehearsals , in addition to managing the band library . The AUMB also has four non - musical leadership positions , known as freshman advisers , who advise the band ' s rookie members or RATS ( Rookie Auburn TigerS ) as they are known to the AUMB . Within the band they are primarily known as R . A . T . Leaders and oversee the R . A . T . Program . Other student leadership positions are offered through participation in the band service organizations . All student leaders are determined by a voting process by the band . However , the section leader ( s ) for the drumline as well as the head drum major are chosen by the directors partially based on the suggestions of the students . Organization . Winds and percussion . Currently , the instrumentation of the AUMB is as follows : To achieve a uniform look and sound , AUMB provides silver instruments for all of its marchers , excluding clarinets and saxophones . Tiger Eyes . The Tiger Eyes are the visual ensemble of the Auburn University Marching Band . The Tiger Eyes nickname was bestowed upon the collective auxiliary groups in 2005 , the same year the dancers were introduced to the AUMB . The Tiger Eyes are composed of three distinct lines - flags , majorettes , and dancers - that perform complementary choreography . Tiger Eyes are selected by individual auditions , with a separate audition for each line . The band added a flag corps in the fall of 1985 . The majorettes are the oldest group of the Tiger Eyes , tracing their roots to the late 1940s / early 1950s . Traditions . Tiger Walk . The Auburn Marching Band performs as part of Tiger Walk at all football games . Pep bands composed of AUMB members perform at the top and bottom of Tiger Walk during home games , and also perform at Tiger Walk at away games . Spirit March and Four Corners Pep Rally . After Tiger Walk at home games the Band is split into four pep bands . The four " Spirit Bands " leave from the top of Tiger Walk at the corner of North Donahue Dr . and Samford Ave . , Lowder Business Building , the University Tennis Courts on Roosevelt Dr . , and from alongside the newly constructed Student Union . Along with the cheerleaders , these bands parade through Auburn ' s campus to the tunes of War Eagle and Glory to ' Ole Auburn . The four bands meet at the intersection of Donahue and Roosevelt , outside of the Southwest corner of Jordan - Hare Stadium and perform a short pep rally there for all Auburn fans . March around . When first entering Jordan - Hare Stadium , the band marches around the field , playing War Eagle and Glory to ' Ole Auburn . After circling the field , the band faces the student section to play War Eagle one more time . The band then exits the field to prepare for the Pregame Show . Pregame . The pregame show currently performed by Auburn ' s band was first introduced in 2004 , and incorporates elements from previous pregame shows . During the first year of the new pregame , it was featured several times on ESPN and called " The most entertaining band performance yet . " The band enters from the team tunnel underneath the south end zone and performs the pregame fanfare , before marching down the field to War Eagle . Then the band forms the interlocking AU emblem to perform Glory . The band will then form an USA set with an American " shield " in the bottom of the S to perform God Bless America and the Star Spangled Banner before continuing on to perform The Horse , Tiger Rag , and some school spirit tunes . Often the end of the National Anthem will incorporate a flyover . On some occasions , the band will also play the Alma Mater between God Bless America and the National Anthem . At the end of pregame the band forms an interlocking AU tunnel through which the football team enters the field . In 2006 , the band began to start its pregame performances with a trailer of the band on the video screen , now the AU HD ( as of 2007 ) , to warm up the crowds and add to the excitement of the performance . Halftime . The AUMB performs at halftime of every Auburn home football game and any away games at which the full band is present . About every three weeks , the band introduces a new show with a specific theme or genre , with musical selections chosen by directors . The halftime show may also consist of " special " performances by the AUMB such as the High School Marching Honor Band . The band will also alternate which side of the stadium it will play the show towards , and in some cases will play part of a show directly to the student section . Tiger Bandits . During the fourth quarter of a football game , a small pep band , called the " Tiger Bandits , " leaves the stands to play for the fans seated in other areas of the stadium . This group consists of different players each week , and is sometimes also called the " Fourth Quarter Band . " Singing the Alma Mater . At the conclusion of every gameday practice and Auburn football game , regardless of whether or not the game was won , the band will lay down their instruments , lock their arms over each other shoulders , and sing the Auburn University Alma Mater . At a game , after this , the band will play the " Thumb Cheer " fanfare and War Eagle before dismissing from the stands . Band Camp . Like the majority of high school and college marching bands , the AUMB has a preseason band camp for its members before fall classes begin . Generally band camp will begin about a week and a half before classes start . It is common for R . A . T . s and the Tiger Eyes to arrive a day before the returning members , normally referred to as Vets . Student leadership and percussion members generally arrive a few days earlier . There are numerous goals that the band works to accomplish during the week of band camp . Although the schedules vary slightly from year to year , once band camp is underway , it usually runs from about 8 : 00 AM to 8 : 00 PM , every day , with the exception of Sunday mornings . It usually begins about a week to a week - and - a - half before the start of the semester and continues right up until the semester starts . While the first few days of band camp differ slightly ( often concentrating more on marching fundamentals ) , here is a typical day at an AUMB Band Camp : R . A . T . Activities include R . A . T . Parent Adoptions , the traditional campus - wide scavenger hunt , section dinners , bowling , and many other activities , typically lasting a couple hours . Afterwards , the band members return home to sleep before another rehearsal begins the next day . The week of band camp concludes with the annual R . A . T . Banquet . The R . A . T . Banquet is a dress - up event including a nice dinner , slide shows from the week , and the annual R . A . T . Awards . Band Camp is , of course , intended to give the AUMB the preparation necessary to successfully perform at Auburn Football games and other events . However , Band Camp is also a time when new members become a part of the AUMB . Lifelong friendships are often made during this time . The AUMB has been likened to a family , and Band Camp is when those bonds are made . R . A . T . program . The Auburn University Marching Band takes pride in its freshman orientation program , more commonly referred to as the R . A . T . Program . In the early days of the university , all freshmen across campus were known as rats . Nowadays , R . A . T . is used as an acronym for Rookie Auburn Tiger , and is only used by the marching band and Auburn football team . As is stated on their website , the purpose of the R . A . T . Program is to help out first year marchers adjust to the differences of college and college marching band as compared to high school . In addition , any staff that are in their first year with the band are also called R . A . T . s , up to and including the Marching Band Director when appropriate . The program is overseen by four R . A . T . Leaders . These " freshman advisers " , as they are typically referred to in publications outside the band , have the duty to oversee R . A . T . Adoptions , R . A . T . Drills , and R . A . T . Activities during band camp . Over the course of the season , they serve as mentors for the rookie members , and emcee the band ' s R . A . T . Banquet and Bowl Banquet . R . A . T . Adoptions are a ceremony held after the first full - band music rehearsal . Each male R . A . T . is given a R . A . T . Mom while each female R . A . T . is given a R . A . T . Dad . These R . A . T . Parents serve as friends and mentors for their rookie " son " or " daughter " throughout the course of the week , as well as throughout the season . The R . A . T . Parents are particularly helpful for R . A . T . s who are freshmen and have left home for the first time , and need someone who can help explain the college experience . Depending on the amount of participation of the vets , it is common to have " twins " . A first - year marcher traditionally retains the title of R . A . T . until the Auburn Tigers claim victory in the annual Iron Bowl game versus the University of Alambama Crimson Tide . For the first time since 2001 , 2nd year returning members for the 2009 season are still considered R . A . T . s . Alumni Band . In 1987 a new tradition began , the annual Auburn Alumni Band reunion . Every year since then a band of alumni has joined the AUMB on the field at halftime during one home football game . This game is often the homecoming game , but not always . This annual event normally attracts over 300 alumni band members from many previous years , resulting in over 600 members of the combined bands on the field for halftime . This show has been a favorite among band members since its inception , and continues to be a fond highlight of each football season . The Alumni Band has also taken up the challenge to support the fund raising efforts for the new Band Facility currently under development . 2010 - 2011 Board of Directors President : David Gillespie , President Elect : Ted Mallory , Secretary / Treasurer : Sara Cothran , Past President : Ben Morris , Director Emeritus : Johnnie Vinson Directors : Clyde Morris , Owen Bailey , Steve Fleming , Terri Devane Granger , George Dyar , Mark Glover , Sidney Keywood , Susan Nunnely , Mike Watson , Jay Howell , Joseph Stanfield Service organizations . Kappa Kappa Psi ( ΚΚΨ ) - Π Chapter . The AUMB is served by the Pi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi . The Pi chapter was founded in 1926 , but like many chapters of the then all male organization , the chapter went inactive during the years of the Great Depression and World War II . The chapter was rechartered on June 6 , 1992 . Pursuant with purposes of Kappa Kappa Psi , the Pi chapter works to serve the Auburn University Bands and the students involved with the band program . Some of this service is done through providing logistical support for the bands , such as the movement and set up of equipment and supplies , while other projects , such as fund raisers and social events , are also organized or supported by the chapter as a service to the Auburn University Bands . The Pi Chapter was recognized as a Chapter Leadership Award recipient by Kappa Kappa Psi for the 2005 - 2007 biennium at the fraternity ' s 2007 National Convention in Orlando , Florida . Just this past year , the Pi chapter received the Founders Trophy , the highest award given by Nationals . This award represents not only the leadership and work of the chapter , but many more features . Tau Beta Sigma ( ΤΒΣ ) - ΘΛ Chapter . Another organization which serves the band is the Theta Lambda chapter of Tau Beta Sigma . Auburn ' s chapter of ΤΒΣ was founded in the fall of 1991 , and was officially installed as the Theta Lambda chapter on May 24 , 1992 . ΤΒΣ sisters ' duties include uniform distribution , selling shoes and flip folders and other necessary items to band members , and other important jobs . The Theta Lambda chapter was honored in July 2001 with the Grace and A . Frank Martin Chapter Leadership Award , the highest award given to ΤΒΣ chapters , for the 1999 - 2001 biennium .