Dr. M. Cory Schmitt, Associate Director of Bands, Director of Athletic Bands
schmittc@apsu.edu
(931) 221-6284
Music/Mass Communication Building, Room 141
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APSU "GOVERNORS OWN" MARCHING BAND!!
APSU Bands are open to ALL APSU students, regardless of major or full/part time student status. GOMB performs at all home football and basketball games, exhibitions, and community events. Email Dr. Cory Schmitt at schmittc@apsu.edu with any questions.
If you are interested in auditioning for GOMB 2026, please see the information below.
RETURNING MEMBERS
Students returning to GOMB and who have already registered for the class: please complete this MEMBERSHIP FORM. This is for returners only for right now!
Brass and Woodwind Placement Auditions
For new members who play Piccolo, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Mellophone, Trombone, Baritone, or Sousaphone, there will be a modest video submission placement audition which will include a scale of your choice to show the full range of instruments and a run-through of the Fight Song. You may begin practicing the Fight Song now by accessing this FILE FOLDER. Piccolo players may audition on flute; mellophones may audition on horn; sousaphones may audition on tuba. If you have issues accessing an instrument, please email Dr. Schmitt (schmittc@apsu.edu).
At the beginning of your video, please state your first and last name clearly. Tell me which scale you are choosing to play, then play the scale. Then, play a full run of the Fight Song. Be sure to take the repeat. This video should be ONE unedited video.
Video submission auditions will need to be submitted through this SUBMISSION FORM by 11:59 pm on Friday, June 26th.
DISCLAIMER REGARDING ALL WIND PLACEMENT AUDITIONS
Wind Auditions for this season should be considered more of a chance for us to get to know your abilities and then appropriately place you into the ensemble. This is not meant to be a stressful event, nor do I intend to turn away students unless absolutely necessary. By no means does this lower the standard of excellence expected of students. We want to accept as many members into GOMB as possible while upholding the traditions pride, passion, and positivity. You may audition on as many instruments as you like.
Color Guard Auditions
Anyone interested in joining the color guard must attend our Color Guard Audition Camp on Saturday, June 13, 2026. This event takes place at the Memorial Health Gym (Red Barn) from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Please wear athletic clothing, bring a water bottle, and if you own your own equipment (flag, rifle, sabre), bring it with you. We will also have equipment you can use for the day.
Questions regarding the audition process should be directed to our Color Guard Instructor, Kevin Loveland (lovelandk@apsu.edu). If you are unable to attend the Audition Camp date, please email Dr. Schmitt (schmitt@apsu.edu).
Percussion Auditions
Any Drumline or Front Ensemble musicians interested in joining the Governors Own Marching Band must attend the GOMB Percussion Audition Camp on Saturday, July 11, 2026. This will take place in the Music Mass Comm building from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Wear athletic clothing, bring your own water bottle, bring your own sticks/mallets, and prepare to either bring or purchase your own lunch for the 1-hour lunch break.
To prepare for the audition, email our instructor, Josh Graham (grahamjoshua33@gmail.com) to obtain a copy of our AUDITION PACKET. He can also answer any questions about the audition process that you may have. If you are unable to attend the Audition Camp date, please email Dr. Schmitt (schmitt@apsu.edu).
Pre-Season Schedule
- June 13 → Color Guard Audition Camp
- June 26 → Wind Audition Submissions Due
- July 11 → Percussion Audition Camp
- July 13 → All audition results communicated/posted
- August 11 → Move-in for Color Guard, Leadership, and Percussion
- August 11-15 → Color Guard, Leadership, and Percussion Camps
- August 15 → Move-in for new members and returners
- August 15-23 → GOMB Week Band Camp
- August 23 → Friends and Family Show at 2pm
Season Schedule
- August 27 - Home Game (Show 1) vs Gardner Webb
- September 5 - Away Game trip to Vanderbilt
- September 12 - Home Game (Show 1) vs Morehead State
- September 26 - Home Game (Show 1) vs UT Martin
- October 3 - Home Game (Homecoming) vs New Haven
- October 10 - Home Game (Show 2) vs Tarleton State
- October 17 - Mid South Marching Invitational (home performance)
- October 23-24 - Away Game trip to North Alabama
- November 7 - Home Game (Military Appreciation) vs Eastern Kentucky
- November 14 - Home Game (GOMB Day & Senior Day) vs Abilene Christian
- December 5 - Lighted Christmas Parade
MARCHING BAND STIPENDS: APSU is proud to offer stipends for all students who participate in any of our Football or Basketball bands. For more information, please contact Dr. Schmitt or one of our current members.
MID-SOUTH MARCHING INVITATIONAL 2026
We will host MSMI on Oct. 17, 2026. Band Directors: please click the link below to preregister for the event.
GOMB Day 2026
GOMB Day will take place on November 14th.
We are excited to welcome ALL high school band students to spend a day with us a member of the GOMB! We will rehearse in the morning, eat lunch, and perform in the stands and on the field at the last APSU Football Home Game of the season.
More details will be announced by the end of September!