Adding to an already busy year, including a trip to Lambeau Field, the Blugold Marching Band will perform their second annual stage show at 4 p.m. Sunday in Zorn Arena.
The marching band, directed by associate professor of music Randy Dickerson, is bigger than ever, with a membership of 232 students this year. The band will be performing a show that will consist of three sections, according to a university press release.
Freshman Gregory Ellis, one of the band’s trombone players, said the entire band is really excited to perform on Sunday.
“It is our time to shine and really show what a great marching band we are and how we have grown over the year,” Ellis said. “We are looking forward to playing to a large crowd, and we owe a lot of thanks to athletics. They really helped get the word out about the show.”
The first section of the performance is called “Greatest Songs of the Rock Era and BMB Traditions” that the Blugolds have played at some football games this year. This section also includes songs many fans may be familiar with.
As part of this section, the band will be playing tunes such as, “Welcome to the Jungle,” by Guns N’ Roses and “Carry on My Wayward Son,” by Kansas.
The second section is called “Homage to the Alma Mater and Blugold Athletics,” which includes the bandstands music. It will emphasize their support for the Blugold athletics and will also be a special recognition of the student-athletes and coaches, according to a university press release.
The third section, “In Honor of America,” includes the band playing patriotic songs, such as “America the Beautiful.”
Freshman Valentina Rangel does not want to miss the performance by the band on Sunday.
“Back in Venezuela we do not have marching bands at the universities, so it is something new for me and I really enjoy them,” Rangel said. “I think it is amazing how so many people can play those songs together and sound so perfect all the time. I will definitely watch the band on Sunday.”
For many students in the band, it is going be the first time they perform a stage show, but Ellis remains positive.
“We have not played on a stage this year yet, but we are loud when we are outside, so it should be pretty incredible to hear us inside,” Ellis said.
General admission tickets are $5 and can be purchased in advance at the University Service Center in Davies Center. Group tickets can be purchased in advance for $3. The tickets will be available in the main lobby of Haas Fine Arts Center as well from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information, contact Dickerson at 715-836-2312 or [email protected].
