Marching Band bigger than ever

4:25 p.m., Aug. 25, 2004--When the 340-plus members of the University of Delaware Marching Band lead the defending national champion Fightin’ Blue Hens onto Tubby Raymond Field against New Hampshire at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 2, it will be largest unit in the band’s illustrious 57-year history.

Small units of the band began arriving at UD on Aug. 19, with the full complement on campus on Sunday, Aug. 22.

Because of the construction of the new parking deck on the site of the band’s former practice field near the Amy E. du Pont Music Building, the band is practicing on Frazer Field, just north of Carpenter Sports Building.

Heidi I. Sarver, UD Marching Band director, said that the increased size of the band, which has averaged around 300 members since 1998, will give True Blue Hen fans more of a good thing at Delaware Stadium this fall.

“Every year is a little different, but this year the size of the band has changed everything,” Sarver said. “The pregame program had to be adjusted, but don’t worry—it’s still essentially the same traditional show—but the word ‘H-E-N-S’ will be huge.”

Heidi Sarver, UD Marching Band director, directs band practice from a lofty perch above Frazer Field.

The band’s halftime musical selections will feature something for everybody this season, Sarver said.

Being a marching band member not only requires a considerable time commitment, Sarver said, it’s also physically demanding. Being in shape is as important to band members as it is to members of any competitive athletic group, she said.

“If a nonmusician of average physical fitness simply walks down the street at the pulse of your average radio pop tune for about 3.5 minutes without slowing down or taking a break, he or she would begin to understanding the minimum demands of a Marching Band member,” Sarver said. “If you increase the speed to slightly under that of speed-walking, strap on a 30-pound sousaphone or a 60-pound drum, don a lined jacket, pants, gloves and hat, play the instrument—which means controlling your breathing while varying your direction every 16 steps or so—you will start to understand that Marching Band is a sport.”

Sarver said the band will be ready to go on opening day, and the band members and staff can’t wait for another exciting season at Delaware Stadium this fall.

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kathy Atkinson and Kevin Quinlan

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