Green Brigade suits up for football season
Chad Robertson | Staff Writer
Giant water bottles, polished instruments and sweaty tank tops were all part of a typical sunny afternoon rehearsal for the Green Brigade’s band members.
Before the first home football game of the season against Rice University, The Green Brigade marching band rehearsed for six hours a day and three days a week in Apogee Stadium in a relentless effort to perfect their craft.
Dr. Nicholas Williams directed the 400-member marching band during practices over a loud speaker, making sure every musician brought their A-game.
Williams would not settle for less than perfect as he made sure each member held their instrument in exact positions and got every chord right.
“We work really hard to sound good, and it takes a little longer prepping new members,” music education junior and trombone player William Lyman said. “But it all pays off when we’re in the stands performing for thousands of people. It’s so exhilarating.”
The marching band arrived at Apogee four hours before kick off. Undeterred by the threatening storm clouds and rainy weather, they prepared to rehearse and fine-tune their show one last time.
UNT’s band kept fans in their seats with a great performance during the halftime show. Matthew Brown | Staff Photographer
“The band gives off an atmosphere of excellence, so we come early just to make sure everything sounds good and that everyone knows their positions,” Lyman said.
After performing for the football players heading into the locker room, the Green Brigade went out to the field and started pumping Mean Green spirit throughout the stands with the fight song and Glory to the Green, UNT’s alma mater.
Along with the North Texas dancers and cheerleaders, the Green Brigade played an active roll in keeping spirit alive.
“Playing in the stands is definitely fun because you get to hype up the fans,” music education freshman Nathan Bautis said. “It’s great because I get the chance to play with people who share the same passion.”
The drum majors running the show kept the Green Brigade in check.
“We conduct the band and make sure we are conveying the music in the best way possible,” music education sophomore and drum major Tyra Thompson said.
Thompson also said drum majors have to set good examples for the rest of the marching band because they hold the highest band leadership position possible for a student.
“We arrive early and stay late for rehearsals to make sure everything is set up and taken down,” Thompson said. “We also walk around during practice to make sure everyone is in the right spot and doing what they need to be doing.”
Even when the score looked bleak for the Mean Green at half time, the marching band went out and performed “Love Runs Out” by One Republic with everything they had.
Once halftime was over and the game resumed, the band returned to the stands and continued to be a source of school pride and spirit, even when the Mean Green was losing to Rice.
The Green Brigade will continue the rehearsal process the in following weeks in order to be in top shape for the their next game day performance.
“Anytime we step out onto the field to perform, I get a rush of adrenaline,” mellophone player and music education junior Leslie Penick said. “Having our peers appreciate and listen to us perform is really rewarding.”
Featured Image: The Green Brigade works on their UNT formation during Wednesday afternoon’s practice. Meagan Sullivan | Associate Visuals Editor
Well it’s not called “The Best Damn Band in the Land” for nothing! GMG!