Concord University’s Marching Band: Plans for this Fall

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The band’s next performance will be for the annual Spooktacular concert. 
Photo By Terri Galligher

The Concord University marching band will premier their fall show at the home game on September 14. 

    This will be one of the two shows the band has prepared, which they will perform alternatively each week. This year’s shows are inspired by movies that are experiencing an anniversary since their release date.

    The band kicks off every home football game by entering the field to their signature cadence at pre-game. They play the pep tune “Hand Clap,” followed by the alma mater, “America the Beautiful,” and the “Star Spangled Banner.” The team then enters the field to the fight song through a tunnel the band forms.

    “We are presenting two movie themed shows this season, both celebrating films from 1993,” says David Ball, Assistant Professor of Music and director. “It’s also a lot of fun for us to participate in not one, but three Thursday night games.”

    The first show features music by Danny Elfman from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The second show will highlight songs from three different movies: Mrs. Doubtfire’s “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” by Aerosmith; “Jurassic Park’s” theme by John Williams; and Dazed and Confused’s “School’s Out,” by Alice Cooper.

    The band will also perform a playlist of pep tunes containing both traditional songs such as “Eat ‘Em Up” and “Hey Baby.” Priding itself in continuity while staying fresh and exciting, they have added several new additions to their repertoire as well, including “Cake by the Ocean,” “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” “Hand Clap,” and “Shut up and Dance with Me.”

    The Mountain Lion band began rehearsal a week before classes began. The abbreviated band camp provided realistic practice for this group of diverse students and served as a way to get the performers in both physical and musical shape before beginning the season. The musical quality they strive for is a symphonic sound that is equal and balanced, despite the outdoor setting in which they play.

    Dr. Ball emphasizes that the band’s purpose of playing at football games is primarily to support the team as well as to provide entertainment. He likens the band’s role as a sort of collaboration with the cheerleaders: to help make the games more fun and exciting, keep the crowd engaged, and rooting for their team.

    The next big event for the band will be this Halloween’s annual Spooktacular concert on October 20 at 7 P.M. This event will feature not only the band’s musical numbers, but also a Haunted Hall and a costume competition.

    Dr. Ball reminds students, “If you see and hear the band, and find that you miss playing you can always join us in Marching or Concert Band, as well as Jazz Ensemble! Stop by my office or email me for details.”