Sound of USD to end year with ‘Spectacular’ performance

Senior Garret Olson smiled as he reminisced over his five years playing trombone and marching with the Sound of USD, the marching band at the University of South Dakota.

“My freshman year, we did the ‘Thriller‘ dance,” Olson said. “It was our Halloween show. That was probably the highlight of my five years.”

Olson said the Sound of USD will offer more thrills at the Sound’s Year-End Spectacular Nov. 23 in Aalfs Auditorium at 2:30 p.m.

The audience can expect to hear songs from the band’s “Viral Show,” which features songs such as Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball” and Pitbull’s “Timber.” The band also has a “One-Hit Wonders” show, which includes an audience favorite, “Cotton Eye Joe,” Olson said.

While the band performs many popular tunes, it will also play some classical music, which Olson said is challenging.

Director Jonathan Alvis said the indoor concert allows the band to highlight the musical side of things and feature what they have been working on throughout the year.

“It’s a good way for us to showcase what we do,” Alvis said.

Along with enticing the audience with its pregame music, fight songs and halftime shows, the Year-End Spectacular will also take the time to recognize seniors who will be graduating this year and thank graduate students who have dedicated their time to the band.

Saying good-bye to the seniors gets harder each year, said junior saxophone player Lexy Tuttle.

“Since we spend so much time together as a band, everybody gets pretty close-knit,” Tuttle said. “Being able to send them off on such a good note is really fun.”

Tuttle said some of her favorite music from this year was the Beatles halftime show the band performed.

“I really like the Beatles, so that was really fun for me,” Tuttle said.

Both Olson and Tuttle said they enjoy participating in the Sound’s Year-End Spectacular because the band is able to focus on performing as a musical ensemble.

“It’s a better way of actually listening to the music because you don’t necessarily have the visual stimulus there,” said senior Josh Etherington, who plays trombone with the marching band.

He said the audience can expect lots of energy and experience a better way of listening to the music if they attend the show.

Alvis said the show will offer free entertainment to the audience, and people should be aware the Spectacular show is not a formal concert.

“The more people give to the band, the more the band will give back,” Alvis said. “We have a good time when we get the place on their feet and everybody is dancing and clapping and singing along.”

Wrapping up 2014, the Year-End Spectacular is a way to see the progress the Sound of USD has made.

“I know it’s a show for everyone else, but it’s also a show for ourselves,” Etherington said.

(Photo: Juniors Dallas Doane, left, and Lexy Tuttle, right, play their saxophones during practice Nov. 13 in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts. The Sound of USD will host its Year-End Spectacular Nov. 23 in Aalfs Auditorium at 2:30 p.m. Anna Glenski / The Volante)