Marching to the Bulldog beat

By Ryan Borba

The Collegian

When longtime Fresno State Marching Band members still use the word “intense” to explain the experience of performing at a football game, it’s hard to imagine what greenhorn Red Wavers are getting themselves into.

“It’s thrilling, intense, like being a gladiator,” 20-year-old trumpet player Sarah Bolland said.

Even though the 270-member band isn’t tossed into a pit filled with man-eating animals, it does brave midday Fresno summer heat almost 10 hours a week — and that’s just for practice.

“It’s hot, but we all know we need to do it,” freshman trombone player Crystal Siddiqi said. “We have a good show we need to put on.”

Freshman Bryan Betten said he agreed. The Santa Barbara County native said the worst part about being in the Fresno State Band is that he wishes they had more time to further perfect the game time routine.

“Here at Fresno State, we take it to the next level,” he said, adding that no amount of practice is too much when it comes to putting on the best show possible.

That show includes a pre-game and halftime field show the band spends long hours preparing for, including two separate, two-hour practice sessions on Wednesday evenings.

Celebrating her 18th birthday just a few days after the home team won its inaugural match against the Nevada Wolfpack, Siddiqi said she’s already seen a few big differences between high school and college band.

“[Fresno State band members] are much more serious, it requires more time, and the songs are at a much higher level,” she said. Siddiqi also said there are many difficult songs to memorize before the big day.

Freshman saxophone player Sean Lowrie agreed and then some.

“Here, things get done. In high school, everyone complains whenever they have to do anything,” he said.
And according to Lowrie, the band doesn’t just do what they’re told — they excel.

“The level of musicianship and maturity [here] is just incredible,” he said.

These young, new students make up a sizable portion of the band.

Interim band director Timothy Anderson said he was pleased with this year’s new crop.

“They are doing an outstanding job,” the band director said. “We have an unusually large group of freshmen and they are responsible for us having our largest band that anyone can remember.”

According to Sindi Raya, an administrative assistant at the music department, about 50 percent of the band each year consists of new students.

Students majoring in music education are required to participate in marching band for two years, she said, which explains part of the high attendance numbers.

With the semester only a few weeks in, it could take freshmen band members a little while to figure everything out. Bolland, a junior, said it’s most important to remember to have fun.

“Just chill out and have fun,” she said. Bolland, who was in full uniform during practice recommended that students also make sure to stay hydrated.

While the new environment for students just removed from high school can lead to more pressure, bigger crowds, challenging material to learn and difficulty in conjuring up an adequate class schedule, Siddiqi said the college atmosphere also offers quite a few perks.

“I hear a lot of people support the band, especially the players,” she said, before admitting that it’ll be nice to not be made fun of, which she said she was in high school.

According to Anderson, this new bunch seems ready to take on whatever challenges the marching band can throw at it.

“Freshmen are asked to adapt to the style we use here at Fresno State and to run with it,” Anderson said.

“With as many of them as we currently have, their ability to adjust is critical to the band’s success. So far, I’ve been very pleased with all they’ve done.”

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