Even though the IU Marching Hundred and basketball pep bands continued to practice, their seasons did not include the game day performances. This was especially hard for the seniors, who didn’t know before this year that their last time performing for fans had already passed.
In a normal year, the Memorial Stadium field would be flooded by the IU Marching Hundred at half-time ready to perform the songs and formations they learned that week. However, nothing was normal about 2021. The IU Marching Hundred, which despite the name, has about 300 student members, had to adapt greatly due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Marching Hundred has been an IU staple since its founding in 1896.
Even though they did not perform at games, they prepared one show which was recorded and played at half-time. They also continued to practice, though that looked a bit different because they did so in the parking lot in front of Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, which offered more space to social distance than Marching Hundred Hall. They implemented other methods such as masks with a hole in them so that they can still play, and bell covers for the opening in the instruments to minimize the germs they expel while they play them.
The group did find ways to perform for live crowds also with open rehearsals throughout the year at the Conrad Prebys Amphitheater. The basketball pep band also played at an early morning send-off for the Women’s Basketball team as they boarded the busses to the NCAA tournament.
Junior Kal Ellison said the decision to continue to practice despite not having many performances allowed the freshmen members time to get stronger and be prepared for next year. It also allowed the family atmosphere to carry on.
The disappointment of not having game-day performances was hard for everyone but felt the most by seniors. Senior Michaela Gustaitis said it was hard for her when she realized she’d never performed at another football game.
“My last game was our away trip my junior year for the bowl game, which was a great game,” Gustaitis said. “I just wish I would have known that was my last game because I would have appreciated it more.”
Michaela and her friends pose with the stadium behind them at the 2020 Bowl Game.
For both Ellison and Gustaitis, band has always been about more than the performances though. It’s about the friendships made.
“It was like a second family and a home away from home,” Gustaitis said.
Her favorite band memory was practices where people in her instrument section would goof off and get to know each other. Her biggest wish after graduation is that the saxophone section stays close.
Michaela and the rest of the saxophone section pose in their uniforms after a game day.
Ellison is looking forward to taking her position as drum major and leading the band both on and off the field. She is also ready to get to watch games again and cheer for the football team.
“[The football team] had a great season last year and it was sad to not be in the stadium with them,” Ellison said. “So, watching them win games will be nice.”
