Fresno State Band experiences Chinese culture while performing at Olympics in Beijing.

Photo courtesy of Gary P. Gilroy

With football season around the corner, the Fresno State Marching Band is preparing for the first home game on September 13 against Wisconsin.

The thrill of standing on the field playing Fresno State̢۪s fight song as fireworks fly in the air, while the football players run onto the football field is an amazing experience.

But some of the band members are still recovering from an even more remarkable experience.

Gary Gilroy, Director of Bands, along with 25 past and current students embarked on a trip to Beijing, China to participate in a 2,008-member ensemble with other young people around the world at the Summer Olympics.

Photo courtesy of Angela Olinger

The Bulldog band members were part of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Orchestra and performed in China at various pre-Olympics ceremonial events.

Director collaborates on Olympic music

World Projects International Music Productions, which is a company that organizes international performance tours, selected Gilroy for the orchestra̢۪s artistic team.

With the assistance of professional Chinese advisors, Gilroy began writing and arranging the music for the pre-Olympic performances last summer for three groups of 600 to 800 students.

“The trip was special, memorable and a lot of hard work,â€Â Gilroy said. “And more Chinese food than I would ever want.â€Â

The performances took place in Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall.

A convergence of cultures

“It was indescribable,â€Â said bass trombone player, Jeff Detlefson. He said the experience still has not sunk in.

“When I came home and watched the Olympics it was unreal because I had been on those streets and been to those places,â€Â Detlefson said.

During their two week stay in Beijing, the Fresno State band was also able to enjoy watching three Olympic events- all men and women̢۪s soccer games.

“It’s something I will never forget, that’s for sure,â€Â Detlefson said.

Photo courtesy of Angela Olinger

Another student Daniel Tubbs, who plays trumpet, said he gained a similar experience as Detlefson, but added that the trip opened his eyes to the Chinese culture.

“You see those places on T.V. all the time,â€Â Tubbs said. “But to see them in person was completely different, just incredible.â€Â

Gilroy agreed that the experience opened his eyes to the Chinese culture.

“You could tell by looking at a person that they held such pride in hosting the Olympic games,â€Â he said.

Bringing China home

Aside from their performances, Gilroy and the Fresno State Band were able to enjoy music from many other groups from the United States, as well as other countries such as Australia and China.

Now back at Fresno State the Fresno State Band sees that performing at the Olympic games made them well prepared for the lights, camera and action on the football field.