Photo by Satomon Pineda lhstrumental organizations provide spirit through oe,:/Ormance THUNDERING HERD MARCHES, ADDS PEP TO BISON BALLGAMES As the Bisons drove down the field toward the end zone, the marching band began to play and the crowd rumbled. Spirit was rising and Harding's marching band was on the move. IIMembership is increasing at a good rate and we are very pleased with that, " director Mike Chance said. The band served a dual purpose during the football games. "The band is there to pump up the . crowd and to provide half-time entertainment so the fans don 't have tositon their hands all night, " junior trumpet player Michael Jenkins said. "Our main purpose is entertainment," band president Jeff Rimer said. "We have a lot of fun and we try to get everyone else involved when we are up in the stands. We add a lot of pep to the game in our little corner down there," Rimer said. The marching band effectively boosted the morale of the football team. "I think the team listens to us and I know the coaches do ," Chance said. "The atmosphere in music and the excitement that the band creates is really positive and it lifts us up, " Coach RandyTribble said. "The atmosphere is a little more electric with the band, and the players draw energy from that, and I want my players to have energy." Even in the middle of an intense football game, the team heard the band and benefited from it. "I like to hear them play because it gets me pumped, " senior offensive guardArchieWalker said. The band was definitely appreciated by the team becaus~ it left them wanting more. "I wish the band could travel with us, " freshman tailback David High said. "It would be nice to have more support while we are on the road. " Tribble agreed with High. "The band creates energy, noise and enthusiasm; we miss that when we are on the road, " he said. Although many of the band members were music majors, it was certainly not a requirement and many would not trade the experience for anything. "I am a music major, but! would still be in the band otherwise," Rimer said. "It is my favorite instrumental thing to do. " "It is exciting and it provides an organization with the opportunity to get to know other musicians and fellow Christians," junior marimba player Robin Ward said. "I enjoy sharing in the experience of making music with everyone, meeting new people and making new friends," senior Dave Lucich said. "The interaction with the other people and the feeling of responsibility are great, and I like the exercise that I don ' t get anywhere else," Rimer said. III am not a music major, but I always enjoyed being in my high school band so I continued it into my college career," Jenkins said. "I like the challenging music that we playand I enjoy teaching people the new music." In addition to performing at football games, the band participated in theWhite County Parade and in marching expeditions. This year, the band also performed for Gorbachev and at the dedication of the Reynolds Center. The band served its purpose well at Harding. "It heightens enthusiasm at sporting events and promotes Bison spirit while providing experience, interaction and camaraderie among members," Ward said. - Diane Grubbs JeffShepherd, Jay Larson, Robyn Sandlin (decorated tuba) and Tony Watters perform a collection of Christmas music during chapel just before Christmas break. The Harding University Symphonic Band provided students a forum to perform concert band music. The Harding University Orchestra performs an ensemble of Russian folk music during Mikhail Gorbachev's visit to Harding. The orchestra performed at many special occasions for Harding during the 75th anniversary celebration. BAND 251 •
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