College football certainly wouldn’t be what it is today without the rich traditions and entertainment that university marching bands bring to millions every Saturday as part of the game-day experience.
From rubbing elbows with rock and roll royalty to a halftime show for muggles and wizards alike, here’s just a taste of some of the most interesting sidenotes from this past week in college marching band.
1Tar Heel surprise
University of North Carolina alum Gordon Hamrick recently received a special surprise when a contingent of the Marching Tar Heels played their way into his backyard after he returned home after two months in the hospital and rehabilitation facilities. Drum major in 1952, Hamrick has been a longtime supporter of the band, establishing a scholarship through the university for music students and attending games whenever possible. “We wanted to bring a little of the game to him since he couldn’t get here,” UNC band director Jeffrey Fuchs told the Shelby Star.
2 The Wizarding World of the Marching Chiefs
During Saturday’s halftime show in Tallahassee, the Florida State Marching Chiefs paid tribute to the 20th anniversary of the publication of J.K. Rowling’s first “Harry Potter” book and the worldwide phenomenon that has ensued. Before launching into a flurry of tunes from the film series, audience members were told to “grab a handful of Fizzing Whizzbees, hop on your Nimbus 2000, and join us as we journey into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”
3 Ohio State goes pro
The OSUMB takes the field at pregame of today’s @buffalobills game. #TBvsBUF pic.twitter.com/ywL4ra9Xvc
— The Ohio State University Marching Band (@TBDBITL) October 22, 2017
With Ohio State football on a bye week, the OSU Marching Band headed north to bring its trademark Script Ohio to the pre-game of Sunday’s NFL matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
4 Badgers swing with rock and roll royalty
As the University of Wisconsin Marching Band launched into the Steve Miller Band’s “Swingtown” during its post-game performance on Saturday, behind the conducting baton was none other than Steve Miller himself. Miller, who is a 2016 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and UW-Madison alum, was in town after a performance at the university on Friday.
5 A taste of Chicago in South Bend
Also playing host to Rock & Roll Hall of Famers on Saturday, members of the University of Notre Dame’s Band of the Fighting Irish took the field at halftime with Chicago during their annual rivalry game against USC. The Fighting Irish have long held a special connection to the rock band. The late Notre Dame faculty member Father George Wiskirchen is often credited with encouraging founding Chicago member James Pankow’s musical aspirations in high school.
6 Cornhuskers march 22 in 22
Members of the University of Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band this weekend wrapped up a fundraising campaign in support of the efforts of the Stop Soldier Suicide nonprofit organization. With their own take on the “22 in 22” campaign that raises awareness of the epidemic of veteran suicides, band members successfully marched 22 miles over 22 days.
7 Marching in memory of
NDSU marching band retires drill number of bandmate who passed away https://t.co/iqIkV0xLvQ pic.twitter.com/LBfJOtLjoK
— WDAY TV News (@WDAYnews) October 22, 2017
In a touching tribute to North Dakota State University student Danie Thomssen who passed away after a car crash earlier this year, the Gold Star Marching Band has retired “A-17,” the drill number of the saxophone-playing freshman. “I know she’ll always be on the field, and no one has her number now,” a bandmate of Thomssen told ABC affiliate WDAY in Fargo.
8 Green Machine a part of the rhythm nation
For those ready for the end of football season and for the focus to shift to the basketball court, take note. The George Mason University Green Machine, renowned as one of the nation’s best collegiate pep bands, reminded us that the start of the NCAA basketball season is nearly here. The group recently made its annual headline appearance at “Mason Madness,” an over-the-top entertainment extravaganza that tips off the basketball season at the Fairfax, Virginia university.
