September 4, 2019
Great weekend for the K-State Bands
K-State Bands hosted and performed at a plethora of events Aug. 29-31 to start off the fall semester.
Thursday, Aug. 31, and Friday, Aug. 30, the Kansas State University Marching Band performed at Purple Power Play in the Park. This annual tradition for the ensemble not only helped bring back spirit to greater Manhattan area, but welcomed in a new era of student, athletes and coaches. Thanks to the Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau and the city of Manhattan for making this Purple Power Play possible.
On Friday, Aug. 30, the K-State Bands hosted its third annual All-Star Marching Band. A replacement for band day, 175 students from more than 35 Kansas high schools were on campus learning a joint halftime show to be performed individually and with the KSUMB. From 7-10 p.m. Aug. 30 these students learned a drill for their own performance of "Sweet Child of Mine." They worked with Director of Bands Frank Tracz, band graduate teaching assistants and KSUMB leadership to put the music and drill together for a performance 24 hours later.
The biannual Alumni Band Day was Saturday, Aug. 31. One hundred and fifty alumni returned to campus to relive the glory days by rehearsing with the KSUMB Saturday afternoon and performing with KSUMB during pregame and halftime. Between the All-Star Marching Band, Alumni Band and KSUMB, there were more than 700 past, current and future Wildcats on the field, which was a great way to celebrate the first Wildcat victory of the season.
The K-State Bands also hosted its annual Band Director Day. Thirty-six Kansas band directors observed the KSUMB's Saturday afternoon rehearsal, were treated to lunch, and got a seat to watch a Wildcat victory versus Nicholls State University. A special thank you goes to Gene Taylor and everyone at K-State Athletics for making these events possible.
To stay updated on events, visit the K-State Band website or follow @kstatepride and @kstatebands on Facebook and/or Twitter.