Marching Cardinals

Join the Marching Cardinals

  • Leadership, Color Guard, and Percussion Camps begin on August 12 with Welcome Orientation at 5:00 p.m.
  • Full Band Pre-Season Camp begins on August 16 with Welcome Orientation at 5:00 p.m. 

Students interested in joining the Marching Cardinals or any University Bands ensemble should complete the  

Complete the UBIF today to receive important updates and pre-season information.

Welcome to the Marching Cardinals

 

Founded in 2009, the Marching Cardinals has established itself as one of the University's most visible and spirited student organizations. Students from a wide variety of academic majors perform at every home football game, select away games, university events, and exhibitions throughout South Texas. 

Under the direction of Dr. Nieves Villaseñor, Director of Bands and Coordinator of Music Education, the Marching Cardinals perform multiple halftime productions each season along with the University's traditional pregame show.

The Marching Cardinals are open to students from every academic major at the 蜜汁TV.

 2026 Marching Cardinals Pre-Season Camp Information

Leadership, Color Guard & Drumline Camp

August 12–15, 2026

  • Detailed Schedule:
  • Early Move-In (On-Campus Students): 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (SEC Office 3150)
  • Camp Check-In: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
  • Welcome Orientation: 5:00 p.m. – Seddon Recital Hall

 

Full Band Pre-Season Camp 

August 16–22, 2026

  • Detailed Schedule:
  • Early Move-In (On-Campus Students): 1:00–4:00 p.m. (SEC Office 2050)
  • Camp Check-In: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
  • Welcome Orientation: 5:00 p.m. – Diane Bennack Concert Hall

 

Resources

 

Music for Pre-Season Camp

to access the music that will be used during 2026 Pre-Season Camp, including:

  • Cardinal Fight Song
  • Cardinal Fanfare
  • San Antonio Medley
  • Hymn to the Incarnate Word
  • The Star-Spangled Banner
  • Everybody’s Everything

 

2026 蜜汁TV High School Band Day – September 19th, 2026

TAKE FLIGHT WITH US and join the 蜜汁TV Marching Cardinals for 蜜汁TV High School Band Day as the Cardinals take on Houston Christian University! 

Experience what it's means to be a Marching Cardinal for the day. Rehearse alongside current members of the Marching Cardinals, learn our game-day traditions, and perform with the band during our first halftime show of the 2026 season. It's an exciting opportunity to experience collegiate marching band firsthand while performing in front of Cardinal fans at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium. 

TO GET STARTED

  • INFORMATION: 
  • REGISTER: 
    • Register .  

Tuition discounts beginning at $1,000 are available to eligible full-time students participating in University Bands. 

Please get in touch with Dr. Nieves Villaseñor at  nivillas@uiwtx.edu for more details.

Any student can join the Marching Cardinals. It is not necessary to be a music major. Basic rhythm, technical facility and high school marching experience (which is strongly suggested but not mandatory) are the most important qualifications for membership. All woodwind and brass members are automatically accepted. Color guard, drum line and rhythm section participants must audition.

The instruments used include:

WOODWINDS

  • Piccolo/Flute
  • Clarinet
  • All Saxophones

BRASS

  • Trumpet
  • Mellophone
  • Trombone
  • Baritone
  • Tuba

PERCUSSION

  • Drumline
  • Front Ensemble
  • Rhythm Section (Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Synthesizer, Auxiliary)