Yes - The Spirit of the Gate is open to all majors across undergraduate and graduate programs. 

The Spirit of the Gate uses a corps style marching technique while adding elements of traditional and show band styles for visual effect. 

No - members are not charged any fees to participate.  In fact, members are awarded a $2500 scholarship for participating. 

We have four hours of rehearsal per week in the Fall semester and two hours per week in the Spring semester. In addition, we have a 10-day Preseason Camp in August prior to classes beginning.

There will be a new audition process for the 2027-2028 academic year, which will be posted no later than October 1, 2026. 

Absolutely! We take students of all ability levels and are open to including students with little to no marching experience, as well as beginner musicians. 

We do not currently travel with our Athletic teams, with the exception of the South Atlantic Conference Basketball Tournament.  However, as we continue to grow the program, this may change.  We have traveled to local community events, such as parades and private events. Previous local travel has been provided by campus vans and charter buses at no additional cost to students.

Students may still participate in the Spirit of the Gate as long as the class conflict overlaps slightly.  For example, if you have a class that ends at 3:15 and we start at 3:00, you will be able to join us no later than 3:30.  If your class completely overlaps with the Athletic Bands class, you will not be able to participate. 

In the Fall semester, we primarily perform at home football games, the occasional volleyball and/or field hockey game, and community events. In the Spring semester, we perform for home basketball games and a number of campus, athletic, and community events. 

We do have the ability to loan instruments to student musicians free of charge.  There is an Instrument Loan Agreement that must be completed in order to receive the instrument. For Color Guard students, all equipment is provided with a signed Equipment Agreement.

Many of our members participate in a variety of student clubs and organizations on our campus. However, the Athletic Bands program is an academic course and should be treated the same as any other course students are registered for. Students should follow the appropriate steps to alert the Director of Athletic Bands of a planned absence. The determination of excused or unexcused is at the discretion of the Director. 

We have several policies and procedures related to attendance presented in the Spirit of the Gate Student Handbook.  These policies run in conjunction in the MUS 108/308 Athletic Bands Syllabus and Wingate University Student Handbook.