It’s third and long. MSU has possession and all of Spartan Stadium holds its breath in anticipation as they watch the ball sail over defenders’ heads. When the receiver’s hands find the ball on the other side of the orange first-down marker, Spartan fans erupt with yells of glee but if you turn to look at the band you might see something a little peculiar. The band has the same excited expression as they scramble to pick up their instruments and yell “C!”
The Spartan Marching Band’s presence is certainly felt during pregame and halftime with flashy displays on the field, but the work doesn’t end when they step outside of the white lines. Creating an atmosphere with music in the stands is just as much a part of the band’s job.
During preseason, every member of the band is required to memorize a litany of music that includes over twenty short tunes that are played almost exclusively in the stands. These “stand tunes” range from a shortened version of the fight song also known as “C,” which refers to a rehearsal marking in the sheet music that tells the band where to start playing to “300” an arrangement of “Come and Get Them” from the movie’s soundtrack. Playing in the stands takes up most of a game day, so the SMB keeps it interesting with unique visuals for every song and an ever-expanding repertoire of music.
Recently, the band has added “Dies Irae,” a menacing classical requiem from Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi along with “Stomp,” a surprisingly menacing diddy that was adapted from a song played by a toy owned by Director David Thornton’s son. Dr. Thornton has even brought the toy into rehearsal to show the band the original inspiration for the tune.
Evidently, stand tunes span a large variety of genres, but what are the qualities of a good stand tune? SMB members have a variety of opinions on this, but many found that a stand tune has to be energetic, interactive, and if you are a tuba or trombone player, loud. Dane Webb, a fourth-year in the Mellophone section, stressed the importance of a tune that gets the band and the student section dancing. Tenor saxophone player Patrick Culliton agreed, saying that a stand tune needs to “give the students a reason to get excited when they hear it.”
In a survey of over 75 SMB members, one stand tune stood apart as a clear favorite and the epitome of energy: “Jungle Boogie” by Kool & The Gang. The tune is boisterous and fun, much like the band itself in the stands. SMB members described it as “iconic,” “spirited,” “fun,” and, as Drum Major Tom McGovern puts it, “groovy.” From the drumline to the color guard, every section stands up and dances when “Jungle Boogie” is played.
The word “fun” came up an innumerable amount of times when discussing stand tunes with members of the Spartan Marching Band and Drum Major Lacy Jewell puts it best when she says that stand tunes are at their best when the intense and hard-working SMB gets to be a little silly.
With love to our Jungle Boogie enthusiasts and Spartan Fans,