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Show Utah State University will be striking up the band next fall-the marching band that is. Being reestablished after an absence of five years, the band will be under the direction direc-tion of Alvin Wardle and Dean Madsen, USU Music Department. Depart-ment. THE STAFF will also include music department members Glen Fifield, Dennis Griffin, and Larry Smith. ' ' We are very encouraged by support from the university, alumni and students. We are planning on 100 members, but I wouldn't be surprised if we have more than that," Madsen comments. "OVER THE Christmas holiday, Dr. Wardle and I visited 15 high schools in northern Utah. A total of 220 high school band members and USU music students have filled out a form expressing an interest in playing with the band next fall," Madsen explains. Irving Wassermann, head of USU's Music Department, feels that the marching band will serve a dual purpose. "The future activity of most music education majors will be with the high school bands that they will direct," says Wassermann. "The USU, Marching Band will be an important im-portant part of the future teacher's education. I think that a good marching band presents a heartwarming image of USU and that it is a morale booster to Aggie fans and athletes." The band, which will perform per-form at football half-time shows and march in parades, will have new uniforms. They are being designed by Sidney Perkes, award-winning designer of the USU Theatre Department. IN ADDITION, some new instruments need to be purchased. "Since the marching band was disbanded after fall, 1970, there has been a whole new world of percussion instruments. in-struments. We either had to look like an antique band and use the old instruments or get new ones," Madsen says. DURING WINTER and spring quarters, the band will divide into two musical groups: the Symphonic Band and the newly formed Bicentennial Bicen-tennial Band. "The Bicentennial Band was formed this year and has already given several performances perfor-mances in the Cache Valley area," Madsen comments. "It is oriented to community and university service. It performs per-forms music with a patriotic flavor." THE USU Development Fund is kicking off a campaign cam-paign drive on behalf of the marching band. The Alumni Association has donated $3,000, but more is needed to help purchase uniforms and instruments. |