Volunteer Opportunity: Golden Voice of the Hawkeye Marching Band

Volunteer / Seasonal (August – January)
Application Deadline: June 20th, 2025

Summary

The Hawkeye Marching Band seeks an enthusiastic and dynamic individual to serve as its Golden Voice Announcer. This high-profile position is essential to the band's public presence and game day experience, both at Kinnick Stadium and beyond. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator with a commanding voice and a passion for college marching bands, performance, and public engagement. The selected candidate will be evaluated annually and subsequent yearly renewals will be at the discretion of the HMB directors.

Responsibilities
  • Announcing & Performances
    • Serve as the live announcer for all seven home football game day events (morning rehearsal, Rec Building show, and the game), as well as Friday dress rehearsals (3:40-5:30pm).
    • Announce at exhibition performances, public showcases, Band Extravaganza, post-season games (including bowl games, playoffs, and/or conference championships), band banquet, and away game trips as scheduled.
  • Script Writing
    • Write original scripts for halftime shows and special performances. Ensure content is clear, concise, engaging, and aligned with the band's brand messaging and themes. Scripts will be reviewed and edited at the directors’ discretion.
  • Community & University Engagement
    • Represent the Hawkeye Marching Band professionally to community members, alumni, donors, and university officials.
    • Attend the annual Band Banquet and actively contribute to the band’s community-focused environment.
  • Leadership & Advisory
    • Participate in selection committees for high-ranking student leadership positions including drum major and feature twirler.
    • Help cultivate a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all band members, families, and supporters.
Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

  • A strong vocal presence and ability to deliver live narration with clarity, enthusiasm, and authority
  • The ability to speak freely or “vamp” when needed
  • Excellent writing skills, especially for live performance scripts
  • Familiarity with marching bands, football game day traditions, or collegiate spirit organizations
  • The ability to collaborate with directors, staff, and students in a high-energy and performance-based environment
  • The ability to attend all rehearsals, performances, and events as scheduled from August through January

Preference may be give to candidates with:

  • Prior experience in public speaking, broadcasting, announcing, or performance
  • Familiarity and/or experience with the Hawkeye Marching Band, its traditions, and its vision
  • Willingness to collaborate with directors and staff in annual show planning process
  • Basic knowledge of microphones and voice amplification equipment
Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following:

  1. Letter of interest, addressing the applicant’s interest and viability for the position based on the job description and qualifications in the posting
  2. Professional Resume
  3. Voice Recording of the provided pregame script (see below)
  4. Original Halftime Script (based on the provided show theme)
  5. Voice Recording of the original halftime script

Pregame and Halftime Script Templates

All materials should be submitted by June 20 in PDF and MP3 format to the attention of Dr. Eric Bush via the online application link. Selected finalists will be contacted for next steps in early to mid July. The next stage of the audition may include an on-campus interview and the opportunity to announce for the HMB during a selected game this Fall.

Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Eric Bush, Dr. Nick Miller, or Kathy Ford. 

Submit Your Application!

Hawkeye Marching Band Vision Statement:

The Hawkeye Marching Band (HMB) is the sound of Kinnick Stadium and the heartbeat of the University of Iowa. Through our ideals of passionate music-making, visual precision, pride, discipline, camaraderie, inclusion, and community, the vision of the HMB is to cultivate life-long supporters of music and our alma mater. Established in 1881, the Hawkeye Marching Band has a deep and rich history through our thousands of alumni. Our organization thrives to instill a passion in students to become the best version of themselves, and allow each student a unique lens through which to view their college experience. We recognize that our members will “go pro” in many different fields and disciplines, however, the shared experience of membership in the HMB will continue to guide every Marching Hawkeye long after they exit the field.

This is more than a speaking role—it's an opportunity to become the voice of one of the Big Ten's most spirited and accomplished collegiate marching bands. If you have the voice, the vision, and the presence, we invite you to apply to become the next Golden Voice of the Hawkeye Marching Band. 

 

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