By Kaelyn Christian
Western Herald
(Robert Youngs / Western Herald) WMU senior Jeremy Wright, a senior from Swartz Creek, lets loose on a trumpet solo during halftime of the football game Saturday night.
The Bronco Marching Band is a vital part of Western Michigan University’s Saturday night football tradition. They perform pre-game, halftime, and post-game, as well as playing short pieces in the stand. The band’s job is to keep the fans in the stadium energized; think of them as cheerleaders with instruments.
This year, the Bronco Marching Band has some exciting shows in store for fans including: James Bond, The Divas: The music of Cher, Madonna and Tina Turner, The Blues: featuring Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue and St. Louis Blues, a Maynard Ferguson Jazz show and the music of Santana.
Drum major Mark DeDeckere promised that this years shows will be a delightful treat for students.
We all know what the band looks like at half time, but what else goes into making such wonderfully energizing performances? Practice.
Nearly all of the 270 member band met the week before classes started for band camp, where they worked on music and marching.
“We worked from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the entire week, working on marching fundamentals, show music, pre-game and all of the logistics that go in to being a part of one of the nations greatest bands,” DeDeckere said.
(Robert Youngs / Western Herald) The Bronco Marching Band performs at halftime during Saturday night’s football game against Northern Illinois.
Other drum majors include: Greg Johnson, Suzie DeMarios, Ben Kahler and Adam Noaeill.
Their job is to direct the band, while on the field at half time, during the pre-game and in the stands while the game is being played.
But the Bronco Marching Band isn’t just drum majors and marching instruments.
The color guard is also an important part of the band.
They’re the ones on the field with flags. Kelsey Arnson, a 3rd year member, said that being in the color guard is very different than being in the band.
“It’s much more physical, because we dance,” Arnson said.
At the beginning of most practices, while the instruments are having “sectionals,” (where they break off to work on their music).
The color guard goes to the Lawson Arena parking lot to practice their flag work and dance moves.
What makes the Bronco Marching Band such a great group to be a part of?
“Game Day. The energy that the band and the fans produce is mind-boggling. I love every ounce of school spirit this University has, and to be a part of a group, like BMB, that helps motivate that spirit makes me proud to be a Bronco,” DeDeckere said.
“The adrenaline rush, before and after half time,” Arnson said.
This year, the band will accompany the football team to Ford Field on Nov. 8.
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