Spring Break
High notes
Marching band membership booms despite lowest budget in WIAC
Mark Schaaf
Issue date: 9/26/05 Section: Campus News
Their next exhibition is set for Oct. 8 in Chippewa Falls.
Senior Kristin Bar, in her fifth year with the band, said the enthusiasm - as well as talent - has changed drastically since her freshman year, with many non-music majors joining the mix.
"It's a not a normal ensemble where you sit and practice," she said. "A lot of these people don't get a chance to play the music instruments other than marching band."
Each year, the band plays at all home football games and a few local parades, including Homecoming.
Junior Claire Parda of the color guard, which twirls flags alongside the band, said she also has seen the band develop.
"They've improved quite a bit," Parda said. "The music is harder and they're starting to get better musicians."
Parda added the color guard also has grown from 11 last year to 18 this fall.
Freshman Dan Duyser said the talent level is far better than that in high school.
"I figured on the college level it would overall just look better and sound better, which it has," he said.
Another highlight for the band came last year when it took the field at halftime of a Green Bay Packers game, heightening the band's exposure.
With Saturday's performance at Greendale, complete with a recruiting table and two pages devoted to the band in the program, the band hopes the numbers continue to grow.
"The power and the strength behind this band is its sound, and I just think a lot of that has to come from the heart of the musicians," Bar said. "We all love what we're doing."
Senior Kristin Bar, in her fifth year with the band, said the enthusiasm - as well as talent - has changed drastically since her freshman year, with many non-music majors joining the mix.
"It's a not a normal ensemble where you sit and practice," she said. "A lot of these people don't get a chance to play the music instruments other than marching band."
Each year, the band plays at all home football games and a few local parades, including Homecoming.
Junior Claire Parda of the color guard, which twirls flags alongside the band, said she also has seen the band develop.
"They've improved quite a bit," Parda said. "The music is harder and they're starting to get better musicians."
Parda added the color guard also has grown from 11 last year to 18 this fall.
Freshman Dan Duyser said the talent level is far better than that in high school.
"I figured on the college level it would overall just look better and sound better, which it has," he said.
Another highlight for the band came last year when it took the field at halftime of a Green Bay Packers game, heightening the band's exposure.
With Saturday's performance at Greendale, complete with a recruiting table and two pages devoted to the band in the program, the band hopes the numbers continue to grow.
"The power and the strength behind this band is its sound, and I just think a lot of that has to come from the heart of the musicians," Bar said. "We all love what we're doing."