Marching Band - Wingate University
Dear New & Returning Members of the Wingate University Band Program,
The inaugural season for the
Spirit of the Gate
Marching Band was filled with many great experiences and memories. I am very proud of our accomplishments and am extremely excited for the upcoming season.
For those I have not met yet, my name is Joseph Girgenti, and I proudly serve as the Director of Athletic Bands. As a member of Wingate’s Class of 2015, I am honored to serve my alma mater in this capacity. Prior to teaching at Wingate, I spent nine years teaching band and general music to students in PreK through 12th grade.
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding the
Spirit of the Gate
or the Wingate Band program overall.
Registration
Preseason Camp
Class Schedule
Athletic Bands Calendar
Scholarships
Spirit of the Gate Registration Guidelines
Returning Spirit of the Gate Member Registration will be due on Friday, April 10th at 11:59 p.m. No late entries will be accepted. Current Spirit of the Gate members do not need to re-submit any videos.
Incoming Spirit of the Gate Member Registration will be due on Tuesday, June 23rd at 11:59 PM (my apologies for the technical difficulties). No late entries will be accepted without prior communication with Professor Girgenti
(j.girgenti@wingate.edu
). Incoming students should plan to submit their videos as part of the registration form.
Please see below for specifics based on your instrument/position:
Video #1: Fight Song (“On Wisconsin”)
Musicians will record their part for our fight song. The music can be found
here
. If students selected multiple instrument options, they should perform this on their top instrument preference.
Color Guard members will study and record the
choreography
. If you do not have a flag, feel free to use something else for your video (ie. broom, pole, etc.).
Video #2: Scales/Rudiments/Choreography
Wind Musicians should prepare two scales of their choice and a two octave minimum chromatic scale. These should show the student’s ability and range. You may use any rhythmic pattern that you are comfortable with.
Percussionists (all drumline, drum set, and auxiliary) should prepare rudiments on the snare drum (even if auditioning for a different instrument).  You are asked to perform all Tier 1, plus Flam Tap & Flam Accent, from this
link
Keyboard, Guitar, & Bass Guitar students should play a minimum of a 60 second musical example that demonstrates their best performance
Color Guard will create their own choreographed routine using a rifle, sabre, or dance to
“Who Let the Dogs Out”
Video #1: Fight Song (“On Wisconsin”)
Musicians will record their part for our fight song.  The music can be found using the button below.  If students selected multiple instrument options, they should perform this on their top instrument preference.
Color Guard members will study and record the choreography.  If you do not have a flag, feel free to use something else for your video (ie. broom, pole, etc.).
Music
Color Guard Choreography
Register here!
Video #2: Scales/Rudiments/Choreography
Wind Musicians should prepare two scales of their choice and a two octave minimum chromatic scale.  These should show the student’s ability and range.  You may use any rhythmic pattern that you are comfortable with.
Percussionists (all drumline, drum set, and auxiliary) should prepare rudiments on the snare drum (even if auditioning for a different instrument).  You are asked to perform all Tier 1, plus Flam Tap & Flam Accent,
from this link
Keyboard, Guitar, & Bass Guitar students should play a minimum of a 60 second musical example that demonstrates their best performance
Color Guard will create their own choreographed routine (without flag work) for “Freeze Frame.”  The recording can be
found here
Percussionist Rudiments
Color Guard Choreography
Date
Time
Event
Location
Thursday,  Aug. 6
All Day
Residential Student Move-in
Residence Halls
Friday, Aug. 7
9 a.m. - noon
Camp Preparations
(Leadership Team Only)
Various Locations
noon - 1 p.m.
Lunch with Leaders
(For New Members & Leadership Team)
Vocal Hall
1 - 3 p.m.
Continue Camp Prep
(Leadership Team Only)
Various Locations
3 - 5 p.m.
Full Ensemble Meeting
Vocal Hall
5:30 - 7 p.m.
Catered Dinner (TBD)
LaVerne Banquet Hall
Saturday,  Aug. 8
Brunch (opens at 10:30 a.m.)
W.T. Harris Hall
1 - 4 p.m.
Locker & Instrument Checkouts
Uniform Fittings
Section Bonding
Various Locations
(Rotation TBD)
4 - 5 p.m.
Team Building Activities
Dinner Break
W.T. Harris Dining Hall
7 - 9 p.m.
Movie Night
(Led by Leadership Team)
Vocal Hall
Sunday, Aug. 9
Brunch (opens at 10:30 a.m.)
W.T. Harris Hall
1 - 3 p.m.
Wind/Percussion Sectionals
(Led by Leadership Team)
Woodwinds - TBD
Brass - TBD
Drumline - Band Room
Rhythm - Batte 222
1 - 5 p.m.
Color Guard Sectional
(Led by Leadership Team)
Location TBD
3 - 5 p.m.
Wind/Percussion Marching Fundamentals
(New SOTG Members & Leadership)
Band Room or Outside
(based on weather)
5 p.m.
Dinner
W.T. Harris Dining Hall
Monday, Aug. 10
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Field Rehearsal
Practice Field
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Lunch Break
W.T. Harris Dining Hall
12:30 - 1:45 p.m.
Full Band Rehearsal
(Guard OFF until evening)
Band - Band Room
2 - 4:30 p.m.
Sectional Rehearsals
(Short Breaks as needed)
WW - TBD
Brass - TBD
Drumline - Band Room
Rhythm - 222
5 - 6 p.m.
Dinner Break
W.T. Harris Dining Hall
6 - 9 p.m.
Guard Sectional
Location TBD
Tuesday, Aug. 11
8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Field Rehearsal
(Rhythm OFF until afternoon)
Practice Field
10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Lunch Break
W.T. Harris Dining Hall
12:30 - 1 p.m.
Leadership Team Meeting
Room 204
1:15 - 2 p.m.
Team Building Activities
Vocal Hall
2 - 4 p.m.
Sectional Rehearsals
WW - TBD
Brass - TBD
Drumline - Band Room
Rhythm - 222
Guard - TBD
4 - 5:30 p.m.
Caption Rehearsals
All Winds - TBD
DL/Rhythm - Band Room
Guard - TBD
5:30 p.m.
Dismiss for the Day
(Make sure you eat & rest)
All participants will be registered for MUS 108/308: University Athletic Bands, which is a 1 credit course.  This course will be repeated each semester students are enrolled. The Athletic Bands class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Fall semester and on Wednesdays in the Spring semester.  It is imperative that students attend all class times in order for our band to have the greatest success.
FALL 2026
Date
Time
Event
Details
Aug. 6
8 a.m.
Residential Student Move-In
Aug. 7 - 17
Varies
Preseason Camp
See Itinerary
Aug. 17
TBD
Welcome Celebration Performance
Aug. 20
All Day
First Day of Classes!
Aug. 20
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Aug. 25
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Aug. 27
3 -5:30
Athletic Bands Class
Aug. 29
All Day
Possible Mini-Camp
Sept. 1
3-4:30
Athletic Bands Class
Sept. 3
3-5:30
Athletic Bands Class
Sept. 5
All Day
Possible Mini-Camp
Sept. 8
3-4:30
Athletic Bands Class
Sept. 10
3-5:30
Athletic Bands Class
Sept. 12
All Day
Possible Mini-Camp
Sept. 15
3-4:30
Athletic Bands Class
Sept. 17
3-5:30
Athletic Bands Class
Sept. 19
Home Football v. Newberry
Sept. 22
3-4:30
Athletic Bands Class
Sept. 24
3-5:30
Athletic Bands Class
Sept. 26
Home Football v. UVA Wise
Sept. 29
3-4:30
Athletic Bands Class
Oct. 1
3-5:30
Athletic Bands Class
Oct. 3
Bulldog Beat Marching Band Competition
Oct. 6
3-4:30
Athletic Bands Class
Oct. 8
3-5:30
Athletic Bands Class
Oct. 10
Home Football v. Tusculum
Oct. 12 - 13
Fall Break (No Classes)
Oct. 15
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Oct. 20
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Oct. 22
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Oct. 24
Providence Cup Competition
Details Coming Soon
Oct. 27
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Oct. 29
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Oct. 31
Home Football v. Anderson
*Homecoming
Nov. 3
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Nov. 5
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Nov. 7
Home Football v. Emory & Henry
*Senior Game & Band Day
Nov. 10
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Nov. 12
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Nov. 17
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Nov. 19
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Nov. 22
Afternoon
Union County Christmas Parade (Monroe)
Nov. 24
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Nov. 25
Morning
Future Bulldog Day (Women’s Bball)
*Small Group
Nov. 25 - 27
Thanksgiving Break (no classes)
Dec. 1
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class
Dec. 3
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Athletic Bands Class (Last Class)
Dec. 5
Afternoon
Town of Wingate Christmas Parade
*Changes to the Athletic Band Calendar will be made at the discretion of the Director.
All registered students will be eligible for a $2,500 scholarship.  The scholarship will be split evenly between both semesters.  In order to remain eligible, students must maintain strong attendance and participation in the Athletic Bands both semesters.
Register for Marching Band
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Bulldog Beat Marching Band Competition
When
: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Registration:
Band registration closed on September 12, and tickets are
now available.
Wingate University and the Spirit of the Gate Marching Band are proud to host its annual Bulldog Beat Marching Band Competition.
4:45 - Director Check-in Begins
5:00 - Gates Open
5:30 - National Anthem - Performed by TBD
5:35 - West Cabarrus High School - Warm Up
6:00 - West Cabarrus High School - Performance
6:10 - Cuthbertson High School - Warm Up
6:35 - Cuthbertson High School - Performance
6:45 - Lancaster High School - Warm Up
7:10 - Lancaster High School - Performance
7:20 - Weddington High School - Warm Up
7:45 - Weddington High School - Performance
8:00 - Spirit of the Gate - Warm Up & Exhibition Performance
8:20 - Awards Retreat
Get Your Bulldog Beat Tickets!
Spirit of the Gate Band Day
When
: Saturday, November 1, 2025
Registration
: This is a free event, however registration is required by Saturday, October 18. Register using the button below.
Join the Wingate University Spirit of the Gate Marching Band for the full college band experience for our 2nd annual Band Day!
During this event, you will:
Rehearse with the band
Meet current members
Enjoy a tailgate lunch before the game
Participate in pre-game traditions and performances
Perform during the game and at halftime
High school seniors interested in majoring in Music, may also have the opportunity to take a lesson with our applied faculty and complete a Scholarship Audition.
Please contact Mr. Joseph Girgenti,
j.girgenti@wingate.edu
, with any questions.
Questions?
Joseph S. Girgenti, MM
Director of Athletic Bands
j.girgenti@wingate.edu
(704) 233-8307