The IU Marching Hundred members energetically returned to the football field this year after the loss of in-person performances at games in 2020. Members are readjusting to being in the stadium and performing live.
During the 2020 season, the band recorded their halftime performances and some stand tunes, which would be played for the limited audience at IU football games, director Eric Smedley said. In addition, the band posted what they could on social media. Senior marcher and piccolo player Maya Moran said the band would do open, outdoor rehearsals so the community could still see the Marching Hundred.
“It was really cool to just still find ways to be involved even when things were kind of iffy with the rest of the world,” she said.
Band members received bell covers for their instruments during 2020 in case COVID-19 would spread through the aerosols, Smedley said. Since the Marching Hundred is a class, it was offered online and in-person.
“We didn’t rehearse as rigorously as we normally do,” he said. “We focused on just three shows. Normally we do a different show for every game. And it turned out to be a pretty good season.”
But in 2021, the band was back with record enthusiasm, learning new drill and music almost every other week for a new show at the football game. Smedley said he first noticed the band’s energy on “Vet Night,” a band camp tradition where veteran members join the newbies. It’s the first night of Marching Hundred, he said.
“I could just tell that they were ready for it,” Smedley said.
He said this energy has carried on throughout the season. At this year’s Ohio State vs. IU football game, it rained the entire time, Smedley said. It was a chilly night, but the band played on despite it all.
“It was not just, ‘Okay, we have to play now,’ but actively dancing and cheering,” Smedley said. “That’s the amazing part, are the students — what they bring to the table and their passion and dedication. It’s been a really fun season.”
But performing live in a stadium is different from recording halftime shows. The freshmen and sophomore marchers in the 2021 season had never performed at a football game before, which was originally a concern for Moran.
“That was a little bit nerve-wracking,” she said. “But Dr. Smedley and Dr. [Tiffany] Galus are the most incredible directors you could ever ask for, and they got us so prepared. First game was so much fun, and the entire season has been awesome.”
Moran said the newer marchers picked up the football game experience quickly. It was exciting to be able to be with everyone in Memorial Stadium again, she said.
“The games are absolutely electric,” Moran said. “I love football, so being able to share my love for the Indiana football team and Tom Allen regardless of how they’re doing is always fun. And being able to play too, finally in the stadium with everyone else and being able to share the love for music, it’s really rewarding.”