Who Can Join the Notre Dame Band, and How Do Students Apply?

The Notre Dame Band is open to enrolled students from the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College, and Holy Cross College, regardless of major or field of study. Students from around the world participate. To join or get more information, complete the Notre Dame Band Application/Information Form on band.nd.edu.

Who is eligible

According to the band's own site, membership in the "Band of the Fighting Irish" draws from three institutions:

The band states its members come from "all over the world and enrolled in every field of study" at these schools. In other words, your major does not restrict participation—the common thread is enrollment at one of the three institutions.

How to apply or get information

1. Go to band.nd.edu and locate the Notre Dame Band Application/Information Form.
2. Complete the form to either apply to the band or request more information. The site describes this as the route for anyone who "want[s] to participate in the Notre Dame Band."
3. Submit and wait for follow-up from the band.

The site does not publish a separate audition timeline, deadline, or required materials beyond the form itself, so treat the form as your first contact point and expect the band to provide next steps.

If you're visiting campus

Prospective students who want to speak with someone from the band in person can fill out the prospective student visit form. The band says it will then contact you to arrange a time. This is a separate form from the application/information form, so use it specifically when you'll be on campus and want a conversation.

What to expect as a member

The site's description gives a sense of the experience: performing at the "Concert on the Steps," marching to Notre Dame Stadium in front of thousands of fans, and making an entrance before 80,000 people on game day. The band also performs in concert settings—for example, a Symphonic Winds & Band Concert at the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center—and maintains a newsletter and news page for updates.

Practical notes

• No pricing or fee information appears on the page, so don't assume participation is free or paid based on the site alone; ask via the form.
• No audition details are published on the page; the form is the stated channel for both applying and requesting information.
• Supporting the band is separate from joining: gifts to the O'Brien Band Fund are handled through the site's giving link, not the application form.

If your goal is simply to understand what band.nd.edu is, it's the official site of the Notre Dame Band program, home of the "Band of the Fighting Irish," and it serves as the entry point for prospective members, visitors, and supporters.