Doane College is planning to create a 100-member marching band to perform at its major sporting events, a first in its 26 years of history.
"We are very excited to announce this addition to our instrumental music program," said Music professor and band director, Dr. Lance Nielsen. "Our approach to a marching band will be different than other colleges and universities. It is designed to give our music education majors the experience of teaching marching band as well as provide a high level of school spirit and fun at home football games."
Nielsen said the Mighty Tiger Marching Band will start performing beginning 2013-14 academic year and its first show will be at the home football game, Sept.14, when the Tigers take on Northwestern Wildcats at Simon Field.
Till now, the college had only a pep band playing at sporting events.
Nielsen said the band will perform in pre-game shows and during half time in home football games.
The band will not only create an exciting atmosphere and encourage players and fans during their football games, but will also bring a unique marching band experience to the campus community.
Nielsen told Journal Star that the marching band will give music education majors, who aspire to be band directors, an opportunity to participate in the band.
The marching band will not be hard on students too as they have to commit only a small time for rehearsals. There will also be a warm-up band camp before classes start in the fall.
Madisen Geiler, a freshman music education major, told the newspaper that she was part of a marching band in high school and loved the experience.
Geiler was elated when she heard about the college's 100 member marching band as she was missing being part of a band.
