September 28, 2011

Music and Motion band festival set for Oct. 1

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Athletes aren’t the only people who get a thrill out of playing in a new stadium.  It’s a bit of a charge for marching bands, too.

Nearly 600 members of marching bands from area high schools have a chance to perform in the new Saluki Stadium at Southern Illinois University Carbondale this Saturday, Oct. 1, during the Music and Motion Marching Band Festival.

George Brozak, associate director of bands and director of athletic bands, including the Marching Salukis, said the event is an important educational vehicle for area marching bands. 

Each band has 15 minutes to perform for the audience and for a nine-member judging panel.  Awards go to percussion, drum major and color guard.  Those bands in the “Festival Class” will not compete, but will still receive the judges’ feedback on their performances.

Brozak noted that the Music in Motion festival has been on hiatus for several years due to the construction of the new stadium.  This is the first time the festival will be held in the new facility.

University marching band students will help with every aspect of the festival, Brozak said.  In addition, the Marching Salukis offer a performance at the close of the event, set for 11:45 a.m.

The performances begin at 10 a.m. and are set to last 15 minutes.  Here are the schools slated to perform, in order of performance:

• Marion High School

• Murphysboro High School

• Wesclin High School (Trenton)

• Carterville High School

• Hazelwood East High School (St. Louis, Mo.)

• Carbondale Community High School

• Belleville West High School

• Marching Salukis