Through seven different halftime shows, blocking pregame, learning series, and numerous gigs along the way, the Spartan Marching Band members have a lot to be proud of. These students have approximately calculated 120 hours on the field not including game day rehearsals and performances. Fighting to prevent end-of-season fatigue, Dr. Thornton is often encouraging the group, saying “it’s fun to be good, but only the really good bands do their stuff up until the last performance.”
In reflection of a year well spent, Sophie Riley, Trombone, states her favorite part of the season. To her, “this year the SMB has given me a safe and loving environment to express myself and escape from the everyday stressors of life,” and this past summer, “the trip to Austria opened my eyes to the opportunities that the world has to offer. I am now inspired to travel abroad as much as I can in my future career” Though the love of the band is strong amongst everyone, something about this year felt different. Sophie continues with “The directors, leadership, and officers have done a great job this year of creating an environment that has not only enhanced our musical and marching abilities but has also prioritized the well-being of the people. I feel that by taking care of one another we have now brought a different kind of energy to the field that feels strong and full of pride.”
Another perspective is from Liz Jensen, Colorguard. To Liz, “I always think the most impactful part of the year for the Colorguard is when we get to perform our push play routine for the hornline at the end of preseason. It is our first performance as a team and everyone gets to show the improvements we have made over our time in this program. It always feels so amazing to show the band what we can do, and the energy that we have always blows me away!” To look forward to next season, Liz suggests, “something the next leadership team can build on is making sure that we hold each other more accountable. That we all know our show by the time that we need to, and we perform it with the skill I know we have!”
Lastly, Cupid (Oluwatobi Williams), Tuba, has a beautiful depiction of his experience as Band President and his favorite part of the season. As a team with the Vice President, Cupid has a lot of different responsibilities including, “meet and communicate social, cultural, logistical, and problematic issues from within the band with the SMB Directors weekly throughout the season; organize external “satellite” events and small ensembles; coordinate personnel for these events with section leaders; and are available to SMB members to assist with concerns not of a musical or marching nature” in addition to the officers responsibility to “organize, facilitate, and direct new member orientation activities during preseason drill.” To Cupid, “I think there's been a lot more thought on my part about how I present myself. Mostly because I want to represent what I think is the best aspect of our band. Our visibility as an organization is clear by the stuff we wear with pride, the way we sing and play with each other, and the way our sections bond together to a level further than friendship. More than any club or group, we have a kinship, and by being president, I can never be separated from that. There’s a burden to bear to a degree about doing what’s right for your fellow band member, but I think having that mentality is what makes our bond strong forever into the future.”
To sum up, Cupid has a wholesome favorite memory. To him, “My favorite part of band has to be the reflections that I see every day of myself growing up through this ensemble. Students are all on their own journey of self discovery, whether it’s a new major, personal growth, or making new enriching relationships. Everyone can find those things somewhere at the university, but I don’t know if there’s anywhere with the depth of knowledge from the past. We can connect with our band history to inspire us, or to our upperclassmen to give insight on current struggles that they’ve already surpassed. Greatest of all might be seeing people leave home and become greater people for it.”As a band member, I can confidently say Cupid has been doing an amazing job this season, and works very diligently with the team of officers to make the band as a whole better.
Overall, this season has been an amazing experience, and the Spartan Marching Band is ready to make the last home game the best one yet.
It has been a pleasure, Spartan Marching Band fans!
Signing off,
Comments