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Making the Blue Band

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The Dream of Aspiring High School Musicians

High school musicians across Pennsylvania dream of one day marching into Beaver Stadium before 107,000 screaming fans. Each year, more than 200 first-year students audition for the Penn State Blue Band; less than half make it.

Find Out What It Takes

Most people know what goes into preparing the Nittany Lion football team to take the field each week, but what does it take to make the Penn State Blue Band?

This one-hour documentary follows eight incoming first-year students through auditions, cuts, and the grueling days of band camp as they pursue their dream.

Find out who has what it takes to make one of the nation’s premier college marching bands.

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Making the Blue Band title card, view of Blue Band member performing from the stands in Beaver Stadium

Making the Blue Band

Posted on December 14, 2021

The Penn State Blue Band is one of the nation’s premier college marching bands. Follow eight freshmen hopefuls through auditions, cuts, and the grueling days of band camp to find out who has what it takes to make the band.