Last night at 100-year-old Hill Auditorium, the bands of Michigan converged onto one stage for Band-O-Rama. While the first half of the show felt like a typical band concert with the concert and symphony band performing signature pieces, the second half featuring the marching band really riled up the crowed while performing fan favorites from this year’s shows and previous seasons. Perhaps my favorite part of the show was listening to Carl Grapenstine, “The Voice of the Michigan Band” for 44 years, announcing each number. He’s the man behind introducing the band at home football games, so to hear and see him looking dapper at Hill Auditorium was quite the treat.
Each song was selected with the show’s theme “This is Michigan!” to highlight student musicians accomplishment through music. Indeed, the concert and symphony segment of the program did just that. My favorite number from the concert band was their performance of “Summon the Heroes” composed by John Williams, which reminded me of Olympic fanfare used at the London games last year. The symphony band piece concluding piece “Victors Valiant” rounded out their segment quite well, with Michigan themes heard sprinkled throughout.
Once the stage was cleared for the marching band to arrive, my excitement levels grew. The best part about Band-O-Rama is being able to hear music from the half-time shows without the roaring crowds of Michigan Stadium. Hill Auditorium amplifies the music and lets concert goers become immersed in the awesome renditions. Highlights from the Beyonce show of the Notre Dame game, the sing-along at homecoming and Motown favorites graced the bill for MMB’s first half, among many other pieces. The drum line split up their set with a few choice numbers to keep the energy going in the auditorium. In MMB’s second set, they continued with hit after hit including stadium favorites “Sweet Caroline” and “Temptation.” Additionally, the band cleared part of the stage for the man of the show to walk through. Michigan football coach Brady Hoke thanked the Michigan Marching Band for their continued support of the football program and received an honorary band alumni membership.
Overall, I enjoyed the marching band portion of the program more than the concert and symphony band portion likely because the MMB’s exposure is far greater than the other two. Nevertheless, all bands present did a fine job of supporting the “This is Michigan!” theme. On a fall Saturday night, it doesn’t get any better than Michigan band.
The Michigan Marching Band will appear again in concert at the Crisler Concert November 17. Until then, catch them on the field at the next home football game against Nebraska on November 9.
