News About The University of Marylands Marching Band

University of Maryland, College Park Spring 2013

Marking Time

MSOM debuts new uniforms in fall 2013

Band updates uniform style to reflect Maryland Pride

tarting in fall 2013, the Mighty Sound of Maryland will debut new uniforms at the universitys first home football game. Directors, drum majors, band members and the athletic department have collaborated to fundraise and design the new uniforms. For more than three years, the band has fundraised and worked with the university to purchse new uniforms. The band won $25,000 in a nationally televised competition held by CBS in 2010, which contributed to funding new uniforms. Winning the competition gave us a nice chunk of money toward new uniforms, senior business major Nikhil Sinha says, but we needed way more than $25,000 to make it happen. The band needed about $100,000 more to purchase 428 uniforms for all band members, dance team, color guard and drum majors. Students sold a University of Maryland Traditions book to fundraise, and the band pulled from its budget. The Athletic Department also helped by contributing half of the required amount needed to purchase new uniforms. After directors confirmed the purchase of new unforms, members of the band collaborated

Students update old uniform design (left) by incorporating aspects of the Maryland state flag into new design (right). Photo source: Ethan Rossberg
on a new design. The old uniforms were so old, they looked worn and out of style, says freshman Dante Cannon. We needed something fresh that would impress our audience and stand out from the field. Style was not the only factor taken into consideration with the new design. Finding a comfortable fabric material was also a main priority. The old uniforms, created in 1998, were made from heavy wool, which retained moisture and heat. During early season games, band members became uncomfortable and over-heated. The new unform design keeps students comfort in mind by using a synthetic wool blend that is water and heat resistant. (Continued on page 2)

Meet the new drum majors....2 Maryland Pride uniforms...2 Members of MSOM start Film Symphony Orchestra.....3 Performance schedule............4 Contact Information..............4 Leadership Interviews............4

In this issue:

Members of MSOM elect three new leadership positions

Zacher Bayonne Sam Gaffigan
Alycia Chanin: What do you hope to accomplish this season? Sam Gaffigan: I want the student section to fall in love with us. We are a steller band, and if we add more fun to our shows, we can bring the house down every week. AC: Favorite MSOM memory? SG: My first night game against Miami. It was packed, and the students loved our performance!

Meet your new drum majors for fall 2013!

Jacob Knipple
Alycia Chanin: What do you love most about MSOM? Jacob Knippel: I love the strong sense of love, family and tradition in the band. AC: Why do you want to be drum major? JK: Ive always been a natural leader, and wanted this huge responsibility for something I love. AC: What is your favorite MSOM memory? JK: When the whole band sang me Happy Birthday. I felt that sense of love and family, and that made me really happy. AC: What is your favorite past half-time show? JK: Temptations show from 2012.

Zacher Bayonne, senior economics major. Photo source: Zacher Bayonne

Alycia Chanin: What do you hope to accomplish as drum major? Zacher Bayonne: We hope to make strides toward success, and to help the band maintain good marching fundamentals during our season. AC: What have been some highlights in your marchig career? ZB: The Vegas Show of 2009 and the Modern Rock show of 2011. Both shows were so fun, and were executed flawlessly. AC: What have you gained from your experience with the MSOM? ZB: I have gained a community to belong to, many leadership opportunities and the chance to travel accross the country!

Sam Gaffigan, sophomore English and psychology double major. Photo source: Sam Gaffigan

AC: If we could perform any halftime show, what would it be? SG: A show to get the students excitedTop 40 songs or classic hits like Dont Stop Believing.

Jacob Knipple, freshman biology major. Photo source: Jacob Knipple

Band debuts Maryland Pride uniforms in fall 2013

(Continued from page 1) Keeping in theme with the football teams Maryland Pride uniforms, the bands new uniform design also incorporates aspects from the Maryland state flag. I couldnt be happier with our new uniforms! I love that they are

now lighter, more comfortable, and look modern! freshman bioengineering major James Martinson says. Stanbury Uniforms arrived on campus to measure each band member for his or her custom fitted uniform. Production for

all 428 uniforms took nearly six months to complete. This has been an ongoing process for the past four years, says junior English major Andrew Cahoon. It is unreal that we finally have our uniforms. I cant wait to wear them next season!

University recognizes FSO as official club on campus

s members of the Gamer Symphony Orchestra, senior geographic information systems major Ethan Rossberg and freshman physics and mathematics double major Dakota Sparks enjoyed playing musical scores from their favorite video game soundtracks. However, when their request to play music from The Lord of the Rings soundtrack was denied due to its cinematic genre, Rossberg and Sparks became discouraged. I asked if I could arrange a medley of music from the Lord of the Rings, which was refused. So, instead, I started my own orchestra that would perform soundtracks from theatrical films, Sparks says. Rossberg and Sparks aim to create a fun, educational and welcoming social environment for members, while also focusing on musicianship necessary for the Film Symphony Orchestra to prosper.

Members start Film Symphony Orchestra

The most fulfilling feeling for me is to see people enthusiastically come together to make this music happen. - Ethan Rossberg
To gain new members, Sparks and Rossberg recruited fellow musicians from the Gamers Symphony Orchestra and Mighty Sound of Maryland, and posted on Facebook. Currently, the ensemble has 26 members, and rehearses every Sunday from 2 to 4 pm at Stamp as a Stamp Free Event.

Our ensemble is unique in the fact that we are the only orchestra solely dedicated to the performance of film soundtracks. Additionally, we are entirely student run. We arrange our own music, and lead our own rehearsals, says Rossberg. The Film Symphony Orchestra will hold a concert at the end of each semester to showcase members work, and to recruit new members. The most fulfilling feeling for me is to see people enthusiastically come together to make this music happen. I love performing amazing, beautiful music with others who also share this passion, says Sparks. For more information, or inquires about joining the Film Symphony Orchestra email ehr891@gmail.com.

The Film Symphony Orchestra (shown above) rehearses at Stamp every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. Photo source: Ethan Rossberg

Interested in a leadership position?

Directors will hold interviews on April 22 in the Band Office. Section and Squad Leader positions are available for each section. Interviews will be conducted in 15 minute intervals. Candidates will be asked to execute marching fundamentals and perform a short two to three minute piece on his/her instrument. Drumline members may perform an excerpt from warm-ups, stand beats, or other pieces that showcase talent. Guard members can use a previously choreographed routine, or choreograph an original.

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@mightysoundofmd

Fall 2013 schedule of home performances

Source: Maryland Football Facebook page