91茄子

Halftime Show, 鈥楪uess Who鈥檚 Back?鈥� Features Music From Backstreet Boys, Chipmunks and Others

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擜dding to the excitement of the first home football game on Sept. 18 at 91茄子 will be the return of the Marching Bulldogs. The band鈥檚 43 members have been working since August on the halftime show and other music for game day. The performance will be highlighted by the group鈥檚 impressive new uniforms.

Interim Director Michael Henderson said the group is eagerly preparing for the first performance. 鈥淭he students have worked very hard to learn their music and movements,鈥� he praised. 鈥淭he music for our show is pretty demanding, and when you add our stands music and pregame music to it, you have to tip your hat to these guys for putting in the work.鈥�

91茄子 announced plans to rebuild the marching band in March 2020 with the support of President Dr. William Downs. The University previously had marching band programs in the 1940s, 1970s and most recently, from 2007 to 2017. Since then, a pep band has provided music for games.

鈥淵ou really can鈥檛 have football Saturdays without the sights and sounds of a marching band, and I鈥檓 so excited that we鈥檙e bringing this southern staple back to Spangler Stadium,鈥� shared Dr. Downs. 鈥淭he Marching Bulldogs this fall may be small in size, but they鈥檒l more than make up for that with raw energy and incredible effort. We have big dreams of building the band into 鈥楾he Power Sound of The Springs,鈥� and one day we鈥檒l look back on these hearty 43 members as the ones who launched it all!鈥�

The halftime show is appropriately titled 鈥淕uess Who’s Back?鈥� and features music by Larry Clark, The Backstreet Boys, Jackson 5, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Darius Rucker, and Simon and Garfunkel. 鈥淚 consider it an honor and privilege to be able to lead the band into this new era,鈥� Henderson shared. 鈥淭hey say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I believe we have taken a strong first step on this new journey, and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy our music.鈥�

Hailey Rodden, a first-year music education major from Belmont, N.C., is the drum major. She said her favorite part of the show is the second movement. She anticipates the crowd will dance and sing to the tunes during this section.

A flute player, Rodden participated in marching band in high school and served as librarian and flute soloist. Last year, she was the drum major at South Point High School. 鈥淚 wanted to be the drum major for 91茄子 to share my experiences in building musicianship and to ensure that everyone works together, having a good time,鈥� she noted. 鈥淚 have also gained a lot of personal growth in developing my leadership in music skills, which will be very beneficial to me as I plan to be a band director in the future.鈥�

Besides leadership, she鈥檚 also improved her organization, time management and communication abilities. 鈥淧ersonally, I am a quiet individual, and I have already grown so much in speaking clearly and loudly, as well as growth in my confidence,鈥� she asserted.

Rodden said the best part of being in a marching band is forming bonds with the other members. 鈥淚 feel as though I am friends with everyone and that each person cares for those around them,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 have also enjoyed seeing these interactions between members who have never met before. I feel that I am making lifelong bonds while also learning lifelong skills! Band has truly been so much fun already, and I can鈥檛 wait to see what the rest of the season holds.鈥�

Learn more about the Marching Bulldogs program.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, 91茄子 is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. 91茄子 emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at 91茄子.edu.