Matt Weir / The Collegian
Saturday’s football game against Nevada had a special treat for halftime entertainment: Band Day, an annual event bringing high school marching bands from around California together to perform with Fresno State’s band.
Bands as far away as Lake Arrowhead, Calif. traveled to Fresno State for the performance. More than 1,600 high school students joined Fresno State’s band in Bulldog Stadium to perform pieces honoring heroes from World War II. Among the musical selections was Glenn Miller’s famous hit “In The Mood.”
“It adds an awful lot of pageantry,” said Tim Anderson, Fresno State’s band director. “Every square inch of the field is covered with 2,000 people for the show.”
As high school bands lined up in the north end zone for their entrance just before halftime, football fans knew something special was in store instead of the usual mid-game entertainment.
Nichelle Ellis, a sophomore criminology major, enjoyed the variety Band Day brought to the game.
“It was really colorful,” Ellis said. “I thought it was a really good opportunity for the high schools to come out here and show us their stuff. Maybe some of them in a few years from now will be playing out here.”
Anderson said the different uniforms added a colorful visual aspect to the performance.
“It’s like a kaleidoscope of colors,” Anderson said. “It’s really fun to see and the fans really enjoy it.”
Ryan Dirlam, Fresno State’s marching band president, said preparation for Band Day began a few months ago.
“We have to think about the difficulty level,” Dirlam said. “We have to keep it interesting for Fresno State’s band, but we also have to make sure it’s interesting for the high school students as well.”
Fresno State’s band rehearsed on its own around noon on Saturday. Later, it joined the high school bands for a combined rehearsal. The high school bands enjoyed a meal and entertainment provided by Fresno State’s band and watched the game in seats located next to Nevada’s fans.
Joshua Phillips, a senior clarinet player from Rim of the World High School in Lake Arrowhead, liked experiencing the college atmosphere of Fresno State’s marching band.
“You get to see the college side of music, instead of your own little band,” Phillips said.
Dirlam said Band Day is an important recruiting venue for Fresno State’s marching band.
“Almost any band member that has come from the Central Valley has seen the Fresno State marching band, whether it’s at Sierra Cup Classic or at Band Day,” Dirlam said. “It exposes another group of freshmen to Fresno State, and they can see how we grow through the years.”
Marco Mellone, Fresno State’s senior drum major, adds that the event shows students the musical opportunities they have after high school.
“It shows high school students that it doesn’t stop after high school, that there is a way to keep going and keep the music alive in a way that’s fun and active,” Mellone said. “It’s not just sitting in a chair in a band room or a concert hall.”
Jerry Lees, band director from Rim of the World High School, said he brought his band to Band Day because of Fresno State’s strong musical reputation.
“I started looking for a place to take my groups,” Lees said. “Fresno came up and I know they’re a strong school of music. It’s a great school.”