UB marching band to play in Spectacular
by JILL SCHMELZER Ken-Ton Editor

Hundreds of musically inclined high school and college-aged students will participate in the University at Buffalo Marching Band Spectacular at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26 at Kunz Field.

Approximately 125 Mount St. Mary girls will move to the beat of the drum, straying from their usual Irish jigs to play the music of champions - "Rocky."

"It's going to be fun," said Kim Bosch, band president. "It's not the typical songs you hear us play over and over again."

The trumpet player has been a member of the Mount's band for the past four years and said she is looking forward to the performance.

The all-girl marching band has been practicing for the past few weeks in preparation for the big event. Newcomers have been practicing longer.

"Each band will demonstrate many of their talents through new moves and formations plus provide a discussion of their show's theme," said band director John Hathaway.

He noted that each participant will play for about 10 minutes. Other performances will be given by Buffalo Public Schools combined bands and Niagara Falls High School.

Other songs Mount St. Mary will perform include "My Girl," because, Hathaway said, "We are an all girl band," and "Oh Danny Boy."

Teresa Leone, the band's vice president, plays the trombone, which is rarely played by females.

"It makes you feel special I guess," she said. "It makes you feel like what you're doing is unique."

Both girls said the experience will allow them to interact with band members from other schools. They will watch and learn from others.

Leone played piano her freshman year but switched to trombone because she wanted to try something different.

"We've got a very awesome group," she said.

Hathaway is also the public relations chair of the UB Marching Band, and he said the idea to have the high school and college students watch each other play is a good learning experience for everyone.

"We don't want them to play and just quit," he said about the girls' lives after high school. "That would be a travesty."

The event is free of charge, and a reception will follow the performances.

Hathaway said the UB marching band is the largest group since the 1960's. UB will also perform at Penn State in front of more than 100,000 people and on national TV. They have also received an invitation to perform in the Columbus Day Parade in New York City on Oct. 8.