TASH MAHNOKAREN
Staff Writer
What is a football game without a marching band?
Marching bands are a tradition to American football games. Similarly at Idaho State University, their presence radiates throughout games in Holt Arena.
“We are a spirit organization and our first priority is to support our athletic teams, and entertain and provide game day spirit to students and fans,” said Director of the Idaho State University Bengal Marching Band Kevin York.
According to The National Association of Music Parents, being a part of a marching band can promote qualities such as neurological multitasking, discipline, resilience and camaraderie, to name a few.
ISU’s marching band is comprised of members of all class levels.
“We have several members from every college class,” said York. “The class schedule and requirements of college students vary by degree, allowing a larger percentage of freshman and sophomores to participate in marching band.”
This flexibility in participation criteria’s allow for more interchanges in participation. Upperclassmen generally face more conflicts between class schedules and rehearsals, thus lower classmen are usually in a greater number.
“Most of our upperclassmen are in leadership roles helping train the younger students,” said York
Many students of the marching band are also involved in other musical ensembles offered at ISU. Most members of marching band are also pursuing music-related majors and minors.
“We are in a lot of the same classes and spend a good portion of time together,” said Hugh Gale, a band member and Idaho State University student.
“They are involved in jazz band, symphonic band and choir among others” said Shane Lindsay, adjunct instructor of music at ISU.
According to Lindsay, the majority of ISU marching band members had previously been involved in marching band in high school.
“It was a fun activity, plus I loved the sense of community that it gave to all the people who joined,” said Gale of his experience with marching band in high school.
Apart from performing on game days, the ISU marching band also performs at various community events, marching band exhibition performances and high school competitions.
The drum line has also performed at local business functions on occasion.
The members of the marching band attend camp 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. the week before school starts. Members also have practice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 12:10 to 1:45 p.m. and Saturday mornings on game day.
The schedule for marching band members is quite hectic with most of the day spent on preparation and performance on game days.
“About one to two hours before kick-off, we get together and run through our routine. Then we march through the tail gate and do the Bengal fight song, perform our pre-game routine, go through the tunnel then perform at the game,” said Lindsay. “Most of the day is spent doing things for the game on that day.”
