Virtual halftime performance puts college marching bands in national spotlight
and last updated 2021-01-12 15:04:10-05
When this school year began, it was painfully clear there d be a lot of silence inside college football stadiums across the country as fans and some marching bands were prohibited from attending games because of the risk of spreading COVID-19.
But it wasn t just athletes who were sidelined because of the virus.
Students in marching bands all over the country suddenly saw their seasons either dramatically altered or disappear completely.
As a drum major at the University of Maryland, Garrett Tatano was one of the thousands of students who were looking forward to finishing out his senior year with his university s marching band.
Alexa Smith, of Choctaw, is one of seven Emporia State University students who was chosen to be part of a virtual band performance during the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
The virtual Intercollegiate Marching Band performance of "End of Time" by Beyonce was the brainchild of the College Band Directors National Association and a group of industry professionals. The group asked member schools to nominate up to five students who play instruments, plus five students in other marching band roles, including color guard and dance teams. Nominated students then submitted videos to audition for their spots.
Smith, a freshman biochemistry and molecular biology major, is in the color guard.
An experience unlike anything : Sacred Heart band students perform during college football national championship
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Sacred Heart University Marching Band performs during a previous football season, pre-COVID.Contributed photo / Sacred Heart UniversityShow MoreShow Less
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Sacred Heart University Marching Band performs during a previous football season, pre-COVID.Contributed photo / Sacred Heart UniversityShow MoreShow Less
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Sacred Heart University Homecoming - photo by Don Hamerman 9/30/17DON HAMERMAN / contributed photoShow MoreShow Less
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Sacred Heart University Marching Band performs during a previous football season, pre-COVID.Contributed photo / Sacred Heart UniversityShow MoreShow Less
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Sacred Heart University Marching Band performs during a previous football season, pre-COVID.Contributed photo / Sacred Heart UniversityShow MoreShow Less
The Cardinal Marching Band shown in a pre-pandemic performance.
Eleven members of the Cardinal Marching Band have been invited to be among nearly 1,500 nominated performers from 200 bands in 45 states and Puerto Rico participating in the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Intercollegiate Marching Band (IMB) National Halftime Show on Monday, Jan. 11.
Joining in unity during the worldwide pandemic when college marching bands have been forced to the sidelines, the IMB will keep the spirit alive by performing Beyonce’s “End of Time” at halftime during the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Alabama Crimson Tide. The game begins at 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 11; halftime is expected near 10 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021
The Pride of Wildcat Land, the Kansas State University Marching Band, performs in the north end of Bill Snyder Family Stadium. | Download this photo.
MANHATTAN Twelve members of The Pride of Wildcat Land, the Kansas State University Marching Band, and the entire K-State Classy Cats dance team have been selected for the College Band Directors National Association Intercollegiate Marching Band and will be part of a virtual performance.
The Intercollegiate Marching Band will perform End of Time by Beyonce in a video that will premiere online on the Intercollegiate Marching Band YouTube channel on Monday, Jan. 11, the day of College Football Playoff national championship game.