This weekend the Shippensburg University Marching Band performed at the university’s football game against Clarion University — per the request of SU President Laurie Carter. 

 According to SUMB Director Trever Famulare, Carter requested that the band perform at Clarion’s game as a pep band. Famulare asked the students if they would be able to attend and more than 100 members were able to represent SU and Clarion, Carter’s alma mater. 

 “Clarion’s band is unable to attend, so we will also be playing the National Anthem,” Famulare said. “It will give us a great opportunity to get our stand’s music and spirit geared up before next weekend’s home opener at Ship.”

 Senior drum major Eric Zampelli shared his excitement for the opportunity.

 “This will be a different kind of performance since we will only be playing in the stands and cheering the football team on,” Zampelli said. “I hope that we can bring the energy and excitement to the stands to support the football team and do our part to bring home a “W” [win].”

Zampelli said the opportunity shows that Carter has strong enough support for the SUMB and music program to ask them to perform at her alma mater’s game.

  “I do feel as though the music department is important and even though there is no music major here at Ship, the marching band is still the largest student-run organization on campus and continues to grow in numbers,” Zampelli said. “I am very proud of the band and we feel as though we get great support from campus and we are proud to get asked to perform for special events year after year.”

 The marching band has been preparing for the game and this football season’s game since August 13, and also recently wrapped up two weeks of band camp. This football season will include the band’s new arrangements, and all their hard work.

 “We have concentrated on preparing many aspects of this performance season, from learning our new arrangement of the National Anthem, to learning music for the stands, to executing the 80+ pages of drill and music for our halftime show — which will most likely be debuted next weekend — ‘A Raiders Voyage,’” Famulare said. “The students have worked very hard through camp and are once again very excited about supporting Red Raider Football and they truly feel the excitement of the season ahead.” 

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