About Us
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As one of the oldest clubs on campus, the Bobcat Band at UC Merced is the pride and soul of the University. The club has grown much over time, and now has 3 subgroups: the Bobcat Band, the Bobcat Orchestra, and the Bobcat Big Band. From those who have never played an instrument before to experienced musicians, the Bobcat Band welcomes all students to join any of our ensembles.
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Throughout the club's history, the groups have performed on campus and all around Merced at events such as local city-funded parades, sporting events such as basketball and soccer games, senior homes, and numerous smaller community events. As such, this club provides a fun and welcoming way to play music not only for yourself, but for the Merced community. In addition, the club uniquely the only band program in the entire UC system to be entirely student-led.
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Ensembles
Bobcat Band
The main Bobcat Band plays a variety of music, acting as a combination of pep, marching, and concert band for the school. The Bobcat Band has performed in many events with other groups such as parades, as well as concerts held on campus. Meetings are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 PM in SSM 116
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Bobcat Orchestra
The Bobcat Orchestra performs many classical orchestra pieces for concerts held on campus. Being the newest ensemble in the group, the Orchestra has not had the opportunity to perform in as many outside events, but the group plans doing so in the future. Meetings are held on Wednesdays from 8-10 PM in ACS 109
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Bobcat Big Band
The Bobcat Big Band is a jazz ensemble that plays a variety of jazz songs for both concerts on campus and gigs for outside groups. There is also a smaller combo group that performs separately from the larger group. The big band meets on Fridays from 6-9 PM in ACS 120
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History
Originally, the Bobcat Band was formed as a single ensemble in 2006, only one year after the first year the school was opened. The first appearance of the Bobcat Band was for Bobcat Day and a featured drum performance. Over time, the club has grown in size and now performs at many school events like Bobcat Day, and collaborates with other groups both in the school and the community. In January 2016, the first new ensemble within the club was created, the Bobcat Big Band. The Big Band started as a group of mostly band members creating their own Jazz ensemble, but now flourishes as its own mostly independent group, and have even created their own smaller combo group. The second new ensemble was created in January of 2022, the Bobcat Orchestra.
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