The typical Thursday afternoon sounds of wind instruments, drums and metronomes echoing from Seth Grove Stadium were nowhere to be found today. The members of the Shippensburg University Red Raider Marching Band (SUMB) have put down their instruments in solidarity to support the faculty.
SUMB members received an e-mail Wednesday evening encouraging them to make signs and join the picket lines in place of their traditional 3:30-5:30 afternoon practice. The email, sent by the band’s cabinet, stated that while attendance is optional, it is highly encouraged.
“We cannot stress this enough…no one is obligated to take part in the picket line if they don’t wish to participate,” the email read.
SUMB members began to gather along Prince Street leading up to the entrance of Old Main at around 3:15 pm. Nearly a dozen of them joined faculty with chants like, “Contract now” and “Quality matters, students first.” President of Bands Tara Bennett felt it was important for the band to show solidarity not only for their director, Mr. Trever Famulare, but for all university faculty.
"There are 160 of us…it looks good for us. We do support this university, we are the centerpiece of school spirit and pride,” Bennett said. “I think here we’re really showing that.”
Just like everyone else, marching band members are not sure what is going to happen should the strike continue into next week. Next weekend’s game against Kutztown University is important for the band, as it is homecoming and senior day. Drumline section leader Brian Keffer said the strike will definitely have a negative effect on his section the longer it continues.
“In band, the longer you go without practice the worse you get. Our section is no different,” Keffer stated.
Although many band members agree with this statement, they also believe it is a sacrifice worth making. Bennett said the band’s leadership is unsure of how the homecoming game will play out from a performance standpoint should the strike still be in effect.
“Nobody actually knows at this point, we’re taking it day by day…seeing what we can see which unfortunately isn’t much.”
The SUMB has proven itself as a staple to the game day experience at Shippensburg University. The band attends all home games, some away games and does multiple exhibition performances across Pennsylvania every season. In the meantime, the band marches on with APSCUF faculty for the unforeseeable future.
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