Hearing the harmonious sounds of the band at a football game, basketball game or pep rally not only heightens the spirits of the athletes and fans, but keeps the adrenaline of the band members high as well.
"That's what I'm talking about, some gameday enthusiasm," said Band Director Corey Spurlin.
For the 2009-2010 season the Auburn University Marching Band consists of 380 band members, the most band members in Auburn history.
"Stepping out onto the field is absolutely amazing," said Elizabeth Foster, a senior in pre-physical therapy and a third year band member. "It is the most amazing feeling you will ever have."
According to Spurlin, unlike high school bands, the Auburn Marching Band has numerous performances to prepare for in a short amount of time and does not have much time for practice and has short pre-season preparation.
"Practices are intense and quick," said AJ Matthews, a freshman in engineering and mellophone player. "Gameday practices are more intense and just as quick."
The Saturday morning game day practices are used to bring everything together and go back over any problems so the band is confident going into the game.
"This year's band really works hard in rehearsal so I am excited to see how that pays off in terms of their performance and people's impressions of them and what not," Spurlin said. "I'm always excited and proud of what we accomplish in rehearsal."
Spurlin and the rest of the band gets together before games to get an idea what they want to accomplish Saturday.
"Every Saturday before we leave out of practice we huddle up and talk about what we want to accomplish that day," Spurlin said. "Sometimes we read e-mails from alumni and community members who are supportive of the band so we remind ourselves what we mean to the atmosphere and the game."
Before every gameday, the band links arms and sings the Alma Mater.
Afterward they always play the fight song followed by the whole band delivering a hearty war eagle.
"That's pretty special to us and of course at the end of every game no matter the results we lock arms with students and fans and sing the alma mater again," Spurlin said.
Spurlin said less than 15 percent of the students in the band receive scholarships and only perhaps 15 percent are music majors.
"Most of the students that participate in the band are not music majors," Spurlin said. "We have 106 Engineering majors that are in the band, but they participate because they love the university and they want to provide a service to the university and use their talents."
The Auburn University Marching Band has been igniting Auburn spirit for more than 100 years. M. Thomas Fuller founded the marching band in 1897.
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