蜜豆直播

news-category: Campus News

蜜豆直播 Marching Bulldogs Prepare for Sept. 18 Debut in Spangler Stadium

marching band

Halftime Show, 鈥楪uess Who鈥檚 Back?鈥 Features Music From Backstreet Boys, Chipmunks and Others

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擜dding to the excitement of the first home football game on Sept. 18 at 蜜豆直播 University will be the return of the Marching Bulldogs. The band鈥檚 43 members have been working since August on the halftime show and other music for game day. The performance will be highlighted by the group鈥檚 impressive new uniforms.

Interim Director Michael Henderson said the group is eagerly preparing for the first performance. 鈥淭he students have worked very hard to learn their music and movements,鈥 he praised. 鈥淭he music for our show is pretty demanding, and when you add our stands music and pregame music to it, you have to tip your hat to these guys for putting in the work.鈥

蜜豆直播 announced plans to rebuild the marching band in March 2020 with the support of President Dr. William Downs. The University previously had marching band programs in the 1940s, 1970s and most recently, from 2007 to 2017. Since then, a pep band has provided music for games.

Interim band director, Michael Henderson directs practice on the football field.
Interim Director Michael Henderson directs
the Marching Bulldogs in their first practice
on the football field.

鈥淵ou really can鈥檛 have football Saturdays without the sights and sounds of a marching band, and I鈥檓 so excited that we鈥檙e bringing this southern staple back to Spangler Stadium,鈥 shared Dr. Downs. 鈥淭he Marching Bulldogs this fall may be small in size, but they鈥檒l more than make up for that with raw energy and incredible effort. We have big dreams of building the band into 鈥楾he Power Sound of The Springs,鈥 and one day we鈥檒l look back on these hearty 43 members as the ones who launched it all!鈥

The halftime show is appropriately titled 鈥淕uess Who’s Back?鈥 and features music by Larry Clark, The Backstreet Boys, Jackson 5, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Darius Rucker, and Simon and Garfunkel. 鈥淚 consider it an honor and privilege to be able to lead the band into this new era,鈥 Henderson shared. 鈥淭hey say that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I believe we have taken a strong first step on this new journey, and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy our music.鈥

Hailey Rodden, a first-year music education major from Belmont, N.C., is the drum major. She said her favorite part of the show is the second movement. She anticipates the crowd will dance and sing to the tunes during this section.

Drum Major Hailey Rodden
Drum Major Hailey Rodden

A flute player, Rodden participated in marching band in high school and served as librarian and flute soloist. Last year, she was the drum major at South Point High School. 鈥淚 wanted to be the drum major for 蜜豆直播 to share my experiences in building musicianship and to ensure that everyone works together, having a good time,鈥 she noted. 鈥淚 have also gained a lot of personal growth in developing my leadership in music skills, which will be very beneficial to me as I plan to be a band director in the future.鈥

Besides leadership, she鈥檚 also improved her organization, time management and communication abilities. 鈥淧ersonally, I am a quiet individual, and I have already grown so much in speaking clearly and loudly, as well as growth in my confidence,鈥 she asserted.

Rodden said the best part of being in a marching band is forming bonds with the other members. 鈥淚 feel as though I am friends with everyone and that each person cares for those around them,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 have also enjoyed seeing these interactions between members who have never met before. I feel that I am making lifelong bonds while also learning lifelong skills! Band has truly been so much fun already, and I can鈥檛 wait to see what the rest of the season holds.鈥

Learn more about the Marching Bulldogs program.

A collage of eight photos featuring members of the Marching Bulldogs at various practices.

Located in the North Carolina foothills, 蜜豆直播 University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. 蜜豆直播 emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at 蜜豆直播.edu.

Previous News Article

Former 蜜豆直播 Swimmer Makes History at Tokyo Paralympics

Next News Article

蜜豆直播 Facilities & Maintenance: 鈥楶lease Don鈥檛 Feed Geese and other Wildlife鈥

Related News

  • News Article

    蜜豆直播 University Earns National Recognition for Preparing Future Elementary Teachers in The Science of Reading

    Elementary Education Program Achieves Top Marks in New Report from The National Council on Teacher Quality BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擳he undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at 蜜豆直播 University has earned an A+ from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). The council鈥檚 report, 鈥淭eacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation,鈥 spotlights GWU鈥檚 College of Education […]

    students practice an activity in a literacy education classroom.
  • News Article

    Family Establishes Robert and Evelyn Cabaniss Music Scholarship at 蜜豆直播 University

    Endowment Honors Cleveland County Couple鈥檚 Longtime Love of Music, Education, and Service BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擬usic was woven into everyday life in the home of Robert and Evelyn Cabaniss of Cleveland County, N.C. The family listened to a wide variety and sometimes sang along. To honor their parents鈥 love for music, support for education and service […]

    music collage - featuring band, chorus students
  • News Article

    蜜豆直播 University Announces Y2K Kids for Webbstock 2026 Entertainment Lineup

    Popular 2000s Tribute Band Joins a Growing Slate of Music, Food Vendors, Local Artisans and Family-friendly Activities for Aug. 22 Community Celebration BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥斆鄱怪辈 University has announced another addition to the entertainment lineup for Webbstock 2026. Y2K Kids will take the stage during the community celebration on Saturday, Aug. 22, at Brinkley Amphitheater. The […]

    Webbstock Newscenter STD