When in Rome
The Band has been selected as one of two college marching bands in the U.S. to perform in a parade down the streets of Rome, Italy on January 1, 2020. “It’s the parade for peace, that ends with the Pope’s blessing in Saint Peter’s Square,” said Matt Frederick, director of bands and associate provost. Around 40,000 people are expected to attend the parade.
“As a music major, it’s kind of like the cherry on top of all of it — getting to do something that you want to do for the rest of your life, but getting to do it on an international scale,” said Kaitlin Howell, a junior from Chilhowie, Va.
After much preparation, research and fundraising, students say they are ready to perform abroad. “We’re getting to bring back some pieces that we’ve played in different shows over the last couple of years,” said drum major Landie Maness, a senior from Rutledge, Tn. “I’ve played these pieces before, but now I’m getting to conduct them on an international stage. That’s really cool, and it’s fun to bring back stuff that you’ve played in the past. It’s very nostalgic in a way.”
Even though the E&H Marching Band was only revived in 2015, they are already making headway in notoriety. “In 2015, we resurrected the program, and built it from 40 members to the 90 members that it is now,” said Frederick. “So about ten percent of the student population is in the band program here at Emory & Henry College.”
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As a music major, it’s kind of like the cherry on top of all of it — getting to do something that you want to do for the rest of your life, but getting to do it on an international scale.
-Kaitlin Howell