HOMECOMING
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2004
Marching Jayhawks thriving
BY STEPHANE FARLEY
starley@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
The Marching Jayhawks run into a stadium full of students and fans on game day to perform, but a lot of preparation goes into being ready for it.
James Hudson, director of the Marching Jayhawks, said the band starts practicing one week before classes begin for the semester. During that week, the band practices from about 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. For the football game against Texas Tech, the band spent 14 hours of class time and two hours the morning of the game preparing for the show.
Kansan file photos
Hudson said those hours didn't include personal time band members spent memorizing and practicing music.
plump,
"Some weeks it's crazy."
Hudson said.
Hudson said he looks for dedication, a great attitude and pride in the University when he picks band members. People think they have to be music majors to be in the band, but anyone who has band experience can be a Marching Jayhawk, Hudson said. The
band has increased by 50 members this year to 182.
bests this year to four.
Megan Mercer, Lawrence freshman, was in band for seven years before she came to the University of Kansas. Mercer began her eight year of band as a member of the KU Marching Jayhawks. Mercer plays the saxophone.
opporthe. Mercer spends anywhere from six to 12 hours every week practicing or participating in band-related events. The band practices for two hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Mercer said she wanted to be a part of something that other people were happy to be a part of. The band looked like a good opportunity to meet people, Mercer said. The band's new uniforms have created new interest in the band from people, she said. People did not come to see the band in high school, Mercer said.
"Now, it's like some people go to the football games to watch us." Mercer said.
us'. Mercer said. 'It's completely worth it to be in the band even with the amount of time that goes into it, Mercer said. The recognition is better, she said, because peo-
"Now,it's like some people go
to the football games to watch us."
Megan Mercer Lawrence freshman and member of the KU Marching Jayhawks
ple can recognize the music the band plays and they feel a part of what we do. Mercer said being in the band was another way to express herself. She is majoring in music education.
majoring in medical rebekah Carroll, Salem, Conn., sophomore, is a member of the KU Color Guard. Carroll was part of her high school color guard for three years. Carroll said she decided to join the color guard after transferring to the University from New York. The color guard practices for about two hours five days a week.
week.
"It's one of the better college guards that I've seen," Carroll said.
performing in front of people, but it still bothers her when she messes up.
said.
Pre-game is a complete adrenaline rush, Carroll said. She said she doesn't get nervous anymore
"I hate it. It bothers me so much. Like I just think about it and sometimes I'll be thinking about that while I'm doing work and so I will mess up on something else," Carroll said.
Carroll said she first became interested in the color guard when a friend, who was on the team, dragged her to a practice.
"I fell in love with it," Carroll said.
Color guard isn't hard to do as long as you have coordination, Carroll said.
The homecoming game on Saturday is Alumni Band Day. Hudson said more than 100 alumni are performing with the band. The band is performing songs that bands throughout the generations have performed.
Glen Opie, KU alumnus, is attending the band day at Saturday's game. Opie was a drum major in the band while he attended the KU School of Law. Opie graduated from law school in 1954.
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