Source: Frank Tracz, 785-532-3818, ftracz@k-state.edu
Web site: http://www.k-state.edu/band/index.html
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-6415.
News release prepared by: Nellie Ryan, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009

NEW UNIFORMS, SPECIAL PERFORMANCES HIGHLIGHT SEASON FOR THE K-STATE MARCHING BAND, THE PRIDE OF WILDCAT LAND

MANHATTAN -- The Kansas State University Marching Band, the Pride of Wildcat Land, is preparing to take the to the field and beyond for another season with a new look and some special performances planned.

The 332-member band will have new uniforms this season, thanks to the support and donations of the K-State community. The uniforms will make their public debut at the K-State game vs. Massachusetts, Saturday, Sept. 5.

The marching band started a donation drive earlier this year for the purchase of new uniforms. Since then, $217,000 has been raised, topping the original goal of $200,000. The band has set a new goal of $250,000 because of increases in uniform costs and membership size, according to Frank Tracz, director of bands at K-State.

So far, 325 uniforms have been delivered, but Tracz said about 100 more are needed to serve the band's needs in the future.

"It has been an amazing seven months of fundraising in the absolute worst economy we've had in my lifetime -- and we're at $217,000," Tracz said. "That's phenomenal in itself, but it also tells you about the band and what the band means to an awful lot of people."

For information on how to donate, call 785-532-5740 or visit the uniform drive Web site at:
http://www.k-state.edu/band/uniform09.html

The band will perform at all six home K-State football games and two festivals this fall. Performances include:

* Saturday, Sept. 5, Band Director Day at the K-State vs. Massachusetts football game. The halftime performance will feature a tribute to the rock band, Journey. "The tune that we're running with is "Don't Stop Believing," Tracz said. "It has a tie-in to K-State football and the return of Bill Snyder. Also, Journey fits really well with marching bands because the crowd knows and loves the songs."

* Saturday, Sept. 26, Band Day and Fort Riley Day at the K-State vs. Tennessee Tech football game. Two thousand students from across the state will participate in a halftime performance in collaboration with the K-State Marching Band and 1st Infantry Division Band. The performance lineup includes various patriotic songs. "A lot of small schools come here with 15 or 20 kids in the band," Tracz said. "We have 40 clarinets in our band -- not to mention all the other instruments. The schools are really excited about the whole thing, and it is a great recruiting tool."

* Saturday, Oct. 3, Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., for the K-State vs. Iowa State game. K-State will split the halftime performance with the Iowa State marching band and will either perform songs from "Star Trek" or do a tribute to Journey.

* Saturday, Oct. 10, the Central States Marching Festival. Around 30 high school bands will take part in the marching competition at K-State. Each school gets to perform and then participate in a video critique where they can watch their performance and get feedback from a judge. Awards are given at the end of the day, and a special performance by the K-State Marching Band concludes the festival.

* Saturday, Oct. 17, K-State vs. Texas A&M game. The band will perform a tribute to the rock band Boston. Along with this tribute, Boston Brass, the professional brass quintet, will be collaborating with the marching band on some Phil Collins tunes.

* Saturday, Oct. 24, K-State vs. Colorado.

* Saturday, Oct. 31, the Arkansas City Music Festival. The band will perform in a parade and do a halftime show in the evening at the band festival. "We have a lot of kids in the band from the Arkansas City area," Tracz said. "It's a great recruiting trip and good exposure for our students."

* Saturday, Nov. 7, K-State vs. KU.

* Saturday, Nov. 14, K-State vs. Missouri game.

* Sunday, Nov. 15, the annual Marching Band Concert will be at 5 p.m. in Ahearn Field House.

"We have a really good band this year -- great playing, great marching and great work ethic," Tracz said. "They are doing really well and we are looking forward to the game on Saturday; we want to have some fun."