Marching Mizzou pumps up the volume, fans and players

By Robby Lewis

Published Sept. 14, 2007

There has been plenty of conversation and speculation surrounding the MU football team's predicted first-place position in the Big 12 North.

One deciding factor in this prediction is the fact that this year's game against formidable rival Nebraska will take place at Faurot Field, in front of the passionate crowd decked in black and gold. The adrenaline Tiger players get from the crowd is like no other, but it is not just the game that gets the crowd going.

MU's marching band and color guard, more commonly known as Marching Mizzou, play a prominent role in making Faurot Field a place abuzz with adoring and lively fans.At band practices, just like football practices, there is a high level of anticipation among the members, as the band focuses on making this a year to remember.

"Our main job is helping the Tigers any way we can," Associate Director of Bands Michael Knight said.

Knight, now in his fourth year as director of Marching Mizzou, said higher expectations for the football team will mean higher expectations and responsibilities for Marching Mizzou.

With the potential of a conference championship, every performance by both the team and the band is viewed as crucial.

"Every game is big, and we have to make sure that each game we are able to get the fans excited and create a good game-day atmosphere," Knight said.

According to the University Bands Web site, Marching Mizzou is the largest student organization on campus with more than 200 members. The responsibility for leading that kind of musical manpower is that of the band's three drum majors, including senior and head drum major Bryan Koerner.

"As a drum major, you have to make sure that you lead by example," Koerner said.

Senior Nate Edwards, a first-year drum major, said Marching Mizzou has a strong sense of pride and commitment to its work.

"You have to show up early and go over music," Edwards said. "It's our responsibility to make sure everything looks good. We're playing for the Big 12 North champions."

For freshmen trombone players Josh Kennedy and Eric Eisenreich, the excitement stems mostly from their first college marching band experience. Kennedy said he enjoys the sense of unity and lack of competition he has found within Marching Mizzou.

"It's a lot less competitive than high school," Kennedy said. "In high school, it felt like we were performing for judges, but here we are able to focus on getting the crowd excited for the Tigers."

Eisenreich said the older members contribute to the band's spirit and communal environment, which helped him get accustomed to routines.

Eisenreich's first experience occurred Sept. 1 in St. Louis against Illinois during the State Farm Arch Rivalry game.

"It was intimidating at first, but once you get to know the upperclassmen, they help you and make it a lot easier," he said. "The arch rivalry game was the most awesome experience of my life, and I really feel we helped get the Mizzou fans pumped."

Behind the band, brandishing black- and orange-striped flags, is the color guard. The guard practices alongside the band and is directed by four student captains, including junior Christina Kline.

"We use the music the band provides us to write the shows," Kline said. "Our shows are a representation of the band visually."

Color guard gives its members plenty of opportunities to express themselves creatively. All the color guard members get the opportunity to write or choreograph a show. Marching Mizzou's motivational effect, both at home and away games, is evident to members of the football team.

MU football safety Pig Brown said the band plays an important role at both home and away games.

"They make a big difference," Brown said. "They don't just get the fans hyped, they get the players hyped, as well. Of course, it's even better at Faurot Field, but they helped us out huge at the arch rivalry game. With a split crowd, it's always great to hear your side is louder than the opponents."

Edwards said the band puts in much effort to motivate the fans who come out to MU's away games.

"With an away crowd, our main focus is getting our fans into the game and taking the other team's fans out of it as much as we can," Edwards said. "We remind them that we're Mizzou."

Many members of Marching Mizzou feel a strong sense of pride from being an integral part of the fan experience and their own stake in many MU traditions, such as their distinctive rendition of the state song, "The Missouri Waltz."

Koerner said his childhood experiences at MU football games motivated him to become a part of these traditions.

"I've been coming to the games since I was a kid," Koerner said. "Even looking at it from a fan's perspective, it's impossible not to get excited by the band. The noise and environment, everyone clapping — it's great, and it's neat to be a part of this tradition."