Homecoming

Blast from the Past 2023 Information and Deadlines

Michigan vs. Rutgers

Saturday September 23  12pm


2023 Blast Details

We are very excited for 2023 Homecoming! The Homecoming committee has developed the registration policy as described below:

  • Registration will begin May 8th
  • Registration will end at 11:59pm on August 8th
  • Instrument requests will not be taken past August 8th 
  • Refunds for the Blast Participation Fee can be processed up until August 10th.
Late Registration:
  • We are unable to accept late registrations; once the seating block is finalized on August 8th, no additional seats can be sold. 

Unfortunately, there is no room for flexibility in the dates listed above.  Capacity for 2023 is 500 participants - register early to ensure your spot!

Registration Requirements

  • Be an active, dues paying member of UMBAA - $20 annually or a lifetime membership for a one time $400 payment
  • Blast Participation Fee - $30 - fee covers music, folders, and additional costs associated with the day
  • Alumni Band seating block football ticket - $60 - UMBAA will handle ticket sales this year as part of your registration process

Alumni Band Performances

  • Parade to and from Michigan Stadium
  • Concert on the Stadium Steps
  • Pregame on the field
  • Halftime concert on the field
  • Postgame on the field

STADIUM SEATING

The Alumni Band will continue to occupy our block of seats at the front of Section 15, which we debuted in 2021.  This seating arrangement has allowed us to expand our capacity to 500 participants and is guaranteed to the Association in perpetuity. If you experience mobility challenges, please contact us in advance so we can make appropriate arrangements to facilitate access to the seating block.

Participants must purchase a game ticket ($60) in the Alumni Band seating area in addition to the traditional UMBAA participation fee ($30). This change ensures each participant has a seat in the stands with enough room to play their instrument, better angles for viewing the game, and better sight lines to the directors so we can play more stands tunes. This arrangement is in line with the standard practices of other Big Ten schools for homecoming alumni bands. 

At this time we are not able to accommodate ticket exchanges for current season ticket holders for seats in the Alumni Band seating block. Due to logistical concerns only participants seated in the Alumni Band seating block will be able to have field access for Alumni Band performances. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Alumni Band seating area is reserved exclusively for participants; Michigan Athletics has provided a seating block behind the Alumni Band for participants to purchase additional tickets for friends and family at cost. Additional details, promo code,  and ordering instructions will be provided to participants in your registration confirmation email. There is a limit of 4 guest tickets per registrant.

Registration Closed

Friday Night Dinner / Early Check In / Rehearsal

Blast participants do not need to buy a dinner ticket, it is included in your participation fee. Family and friends are also welcome to attend, and may purchase a guest ticket for $10/adult or $5/child 12 and under ahead of time with your Blast registration, or at the door that evening. We hope to see everyone there!

We will also have the usual early packet pickup and instrument handout at Revelli Hall prior to dinner on Friday. Following dinner we will have rehearsal at Revelli Hall

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The Usual Details

Rule #1: ONLY MEMBERS WITH CURRENTLY PAID ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES MAY REGISTER FOR PARTICIPATION IN UMBAA BLAST FROM THE PAST.  Clicking on the link above will require you pay dues in case your membership has expired.  

  • Members intending to participate MUST BE REGISTERED, and ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL MORNING REHEARSALS
  • Admission to Michigan Stadium will only be granted to those members who meet the deadlines, pay the participation fee, purchase a game ticket, and have been issued the required identification
  • Members must register in order to participate on the field by filling out the registration forms online and paying all fees by the deadline date.
  • Arrangements will be made for those members who feel they are unable to march to the stadium to be admitted with the band; however, ALL members are required to attend all morning rehearsals.
  • Kickoff is Noon

Deadlines

  • Instrument Requests must be received by August 8th
  • Blast Online Registration will close on August 8th OR WHEN THE PARTICIPATION LIMIT IS REACHED
  • Refunds for participation fees will be processed through August 10th, after which no refunds will be issued.

Loaner Instruments

The bands have a very limited supply of instruments available. The requests will be forwarded to the e-staff. There may not be any available instruments of your requested type depending on the size of that section in the MMB. They will be supplied on a first come first served basis. You will be notified by email if we run out of any instruments requested. You are highly encouraged to bring your own instrument!

Note: We do not supply mouthpieces, reeds, oil, etc., please bring your own. We do have a limited supply of tuba necks and bits and concert horn to mellophone mouthpiece adapters. Percussion must bring their own sticks and mallets, including bass drum mallets. Tenor drums are multi-tenors, not a small bass drum. Any specific instrument questions may be addressed to umbaa-webmaster@umich.edu

73rd Annual Blast Itinerary

Changes to this schedule may occur. 

Friday September 22nd

5:00 PM - 6:45 PM - Early Packet Pickup @ Revelli Hall (Your Blast Participation Badge, music, and updated Blast information will be in your Blast packet)
5:00 PM - 6:45 PM - Early Instrument Checkout @ Boxing Building / Elbel Building
6:00  PM - 8:00 PM MMB Rehearsal in Michigan Stadium (Open to the Public)
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Dinner @ Revelli Hall for Blast participants and pre-paid guests
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM - Alumni Band Rehearsal @ Revelli Hall

Saturday September 23rd
6:45 a.m. registration and coffee hour
7:35 a.m. meeting/indoor rehearsal begins
8:25 a.m. join MMB on Elbel Field
8:55 a.m. Scholarship presentation
9:20 a.m. set pre-game block on east sideline
9:30 a.m. Lunch
10:50 a.m. meet on front steps of Revelli
10:55 a.m. depart for Stadium
11:05 a.m. arrive at the stadium
11:05-11:20 a.m. concert on stadium steps
11:20 a.m. in tunnel
11:40 a.m. pre-game
12:00 p.m. Kick-off

ALUMNI and MMB reception following game

5:30 p.m. Revelli Hall cleared and building locked

Other Important Information

  • Blast participants will receive a CONFIRMATION EMAIL, which is your registration confirmation for Blast 2023. Contact the UMBAA Webmaster if you do not receive your confirmation!
  • Be aware of the deadline dates! If you have any questions about the Blast please email the UMBAA Helpdesk
    at umbaa-webmaster@umich.edu

Can I Send In a Paper Registration?

Unfortunately due to the new seating structure we are not able to accept paper registrations this year. Please contact umbaa-webmaster@umich.edu with any questions.

 

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