The Auburn University Marching Band has been marching on Auburn’s football field for over a century. The award-winning band has approximately 380 members who work throughout the year in preparation for the shows they perform.
Each year, the AUMB focuses on a specific theme for their halftime performance. This past season, the theme centered around “Strike Up the Band,” lyrics from the Auburn fight song, “War Eagle.”
Peyton Flowers, senior in music education, has been a part of AUMB since his freshman year at Auburn. He said the theme really embodies the spirit of the University.
“‘Strike Up the Band’ is a part of the fight song, part of the tradition,” Flowers said. “It means our band is a strong part of the Auburn tradition, and our band is always going to be there in support of the University, no matter the outcome of games.”
Flowers has been going to Auburn football games since he was a child and said he has always looked up to the band, which inspired him to join when he started college.
“I was inspired by the AUMB and the atmosphere and energy they brought to games,” he said. “That is what interested me in music initially. It is what inspired me to major in music education at Auburn.”
Will Ebbert, senior in geology, is also a member of AUMB. The theme of the band was created to include everyone in the Auburn Family. There was no clear meaning behind the theme, “Strike Up the Band.” Members were to decide for themselves what it means.
“‘Strike Up the Band’ is not only a rally cry for us in the band, but for fans and students as well,” Ebbert said. “It is the start of game day and a sign that something exciting is about to happen.”
Ebbert also grew up going to Auburn games, looking up to the marching band and wanted to join when he was a student at Auburn himself.
Both Flowers and Ebbert started in the AUMB as freshmen and agreed that being in the AUMB positively influenced their college experience, giving them most of their friends and their best college memories.
Ebbert said that winning the Iron Bowl and traveling to Dallas for the opening game of the football season were some of his favorite memories from his time in the AUMB. Both Flowers and Ebbert agreed that the Iron Bowl is a special game for AUMB members because of the excitement and energy in Jordan-Hare from the students and fans.
“Marching band played a big part in my college experience,” Flowers said. “This program has taught me so many life lessons and given me so many friends that I will have for the rest of my life. I don’t know what I would be doing if I had not joined the AUMB. I am definitely proud of it.”
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Kara Mautz, senior in human development and family studies with a minor in journalism, is a culture writer at The Auburn Plainsman.
