The spirit of over 400 Michigan Marching Band members and 300 high school bands students from across Michigan rang throughout Crisler Center on Sunday, November 17 for the 33rd Annual Crisler Concert. With the entire floor filled corner to corner with band members playing season favorites from halftime shows, the entire venue sat back and relaxed for an afternoon filled with beautifully executed band music for a 90-minute bill.
Although the music played was the same tunes we’ve been hearing all season, the show was still a spectacular undertaking. It was not just a concert to be heard, but one to take part in to. The MMB, including the Michigan Dance Team, encouraged audience participation during sing-along tunes like “Sweet Caroline” and “Radioactive,” as well as demonstrating the “I Can’t Turn You Loose” Blues Brothers dance. Crisler’s Jumbotron was used to zoom in on band members and highlight the audience too, and added a neat visual experience to simply just watching the band play in place.
Before the end of the first half, high school marching band members joined the MMB to play alongside them for three pieces. These students attended workshops and sectionals to learn the music and show directions for the concert. With over 700 students on the floor, the sound was the good kind of loud and super impressive. It was noted that many current MMB members played their first time with the MMB as high school students during their Crisler Concert.
During intermission, high school color guards joined the MMB Flags for a visually delightful number to Lady Gaga’s “Applause.” Seeing the myraid of color on the stage, choreographed to the energetic piece, certaintly highlighted the talents these students have when handling the large flags. The Michigan Dance Team also performed two numbers, one a hip hop routine which they will be using in January at a collegiate dance competition. That number was one of my favorites of the non-MMB portion of the program. To round out intermission, the Drumline performed rhythmically well, as they usually do.
I can’t stress enough how talented the MMB members are, and director John Pasquale certainly attested to this before he began the second half, referencing how he can not find anywhere where there are more intellectual and creative people in one group. The second half highlights included MMB’s traditional “Temptation” and “Hawaiian War Chant,” and concluding with “The Victors,” getting everyone out of their seats and cheering for the maize and blue.
If you haven’t been to a Crisler Concert yet, I’d highly recommend it. It’s one of the few times the MMB performs outside of half-time, and you can hear the music much clearer in a contained space than on the open field in the Big House. Kudos, MMB, for putting on such a great show!
