Drumming to USD’s beat

To mark the end to its season, the University of South Dakota marching band will perform its free indoor concert showcasing their repertoire.

The USD marching band will perform the Sound of USD Spectacular Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Aalfs Auditorium.

Director of athletic bands Jonathan Alvis said the band has been working on the music for the concert since the beginning of band camp.

Figuring out the logistics of making a marching band sound good in a space like Aalfs Auditorium wasn’t the challenge one might think it would be, Alvis said.

“Nothing really changes for me,” Alvis said. “For the students, it’s just another rehearsal, it’s just another performance. The way that I treat rehearsals and performances is nothing out of the ordinary.”

Senior Devin Patrick is the drum major for the marching band. She said this year was different because the band will perform more than one show.

“This year has been really great because we’ve done a lot of different things which is different for us,” Patrick said. “It’s good to showcase what we’ve done and show the public.”

Second year graduate student Cody Knott works behind the scenes assisting  with moving props during the performances. He said the indoor concert is a good way to end the season.

“Indoor marching band concerts are becoming more and more of a big deal,” Knott said. “It’s a good way to showcase us in a different setting rather than being in the dome all of the time.”

The music for the show will include everything from classical music to rock and roll, pop tunes, ‘70s classic rock as well as a military appreciation piece, Alvis said. The school song and everything performed at the football games will also be played.

“It’s going to be a good time,” Knott said. “People will get to hear good tunes in a different setting than what (they) are used to.”

Alvis said students who come will be supporting their friends and peers.

“The people who come to the concert are going to have a good time,” Alvis said. “It’s going to be high energy and high impact. People will be able to sing along with some of the tunes, get up in the seats and just have a good time.”

Sophomore Missy Ivers plays clarinet with the marching band and said she is looking forward to her final performance.

“I’m really looking forward to this because we have worked so hard on our music,” Ivers said. “I really think we have come together as a group and this last performance will really showcase that.”

Patrick said the concert is a great way to get the marching band out in front of USD students and faculty and the community of Vermillion.

“In the past we haven’t really done a lot of community things so it’s a great recruiting tool to help other students on campus understand what the band does,” Patrick said.

Reach reporter Emily Niebrugge at [email protected].