r 5 III Thundering, thundering louder than before ~ :r ~' [ , !3 III ~ :r 5' eQ r ::s Q. Marching, turning, stopping, sweating in the hot August sun characterized the Harding College Marching Band as it began preparation for the 1978-79 school year during its eighteenth annual music camp at Camp Tahkodah near Floral. Directed by Dr. G. E. Baggett, the band experienced "one of the best music camps ever," according to Kevin Cave, who announced the band's musical selections and formations during their halftime shows. The Marching Band was one of four separate wind and percussion groups coming under the term "Harding College Band." The group was governed by the Band Council, who were selected by their 98 ~ Marching Band fellow students in May of last year and served a full year in their elected positions. The Council was well organized with four librarians and quartermasters and a historian, besides the normal officers of organizations. Each class and Harding Academy was also represented on the council through elected representatives . In an attempt to enhance the organization of the group and the quality of performance, the Band Council planned and conducted a 24-hour retreat at Camp Tahkodah the second weekend of the fall semester . Group rehearsals and sectionals were held, with fireside devotional periods interspersed with other activities. Yet, in the early days of the year the band was plagued by a shortage of members . Beginning an intensive recruiting campaign , drum majors Mickey Cox and Mark Hudson tried to arouse interest by presenting details of the band's situation with a slide presentation in chapel. Borrowing from Tolkein and "Star Wars ," the two related details of a fictitious war between "Sauron the Red Eye" from the planet of "Mordor" and the "Nation of Band. " Their forces depleted by the war, they were then in need of new members. In the days following the presentation the band grew , and ended the year boasting 106 members . Presenting pre-game and halftime shows at the five home football games, the Marching Band performed music and drills fitting specific themes . Included as themes were the topics "Different Marching Band Styles," "Music of the Space Age" (with music from the movies "Star Wars" and "2001") and "Highlights from Spring Sing Shows ." The 17-member Flag Corps were the featured attraction in one show while another program featured Joe Webb, local trainer of Mark of Carbon, current World Champion Tennessee Walking Horse. Appearing with the band for the first time this year was the Honor Guard. Composed of men from the Air National Guard and the Naval and Marine Center, the Honor
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