The University of Saint Francis in Indiana will soon launch its own marching band, school officials announced.

The Fort Wayne-based school will begin to recruit students to form a USF marching Band for its debut in 2016. The university's goal is to build a band of 100 members including a color guard within four years.

School officials said they hope the new band will be instrumental in enhancing the spectator experience at sporting events. Talent awards up to $3,000 will be available to students who are accepted to join the band. Students interested in all university programs are invited to try out.

Musicians interested in joining the USF marching band are encouraged to reserve their spot in the talent audition by contacting 260.399.7700, ext. 8001. Admissions and financial aid information is available by calling (260) 399-8000, emailing admiss@sf.edu, visiting sf.edu/admissions, or by visiting the campus at 2701 Spring Street, Fort Wayne.

The University of Saint Francis, founded in 1890 as a comprehensive university in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs through the School of Health Sciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership and School of Creative Arts. In addition to its traditional programs, the university designs focused curriculum for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. Approximately 2,300 students from a broad geographic region attend USF for its academic excellence.