a tempo winter2008
Falcon Maching Band appears in regional championship
The Falcon Marching Band was invited to make a guest appearance at the Bands of America Regional Championship on Nov. 3 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Ind.
Under the direction of Dr. Carol Hayward, this was the Falcon Marching Band’s first appearance at a Bands of America regional event. “One college band is selected to perform in exhibition at each regional championship,” according to Hayward, an assistant professor of music education.
Thirty-five high school bands from nine states—Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia—also competed at the regional event.
Viewed as the pinnacle of programs for high school instrumental music, Bands of America, a division of Music for All, Inc., offers both competitive and non-competitive marching band programs including the Grand National Marching Band Championships, the Music for All National Festival, Regional Marching Band Championships, the Honor Band of America, Honor Orchestra of America and the Jazz Band of America.
The Falcon Marching Band performed a complex, brand-new show featuring music commissioned specifically for it, which is highly unusual for a marching band, according to Hayward.
The band performed an original composition written by Ryan Nowlin ’00, ’04, titled New Frontiers, which includes original visual design by Jason Sivill ’04. Michael Sander ’97, band assistant, composed the percussion book.
Fifteen Falcon Marching Band members who also are members of the University Men’s Chorus sang the national anthem at the competition in Indianapolis, and the band’s drum line was featured in another portion of the program.
The largest student organization on campus, the 220-member Falcon Marching Band performs at all home BGSU football games and various other campus functions, serving as a showcase of the finest in musical and visual performances as well as a centerpiece for athletic spirit at the University. Membership is open by audition to students of all class levels and all majors from all colleges of the University.
The band has previously performed at Miami University, the University of Michigan and Ohio State University, among other universities, as well as at professional football games in Cincinnati, Detroit and Cleveland.
The band also has appeared at the California Raisin Bowl in Fresno, Calif., the Las Vegas Bowl, the Motor City Bowl in Detroit and the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala.