2014 Big Red Marching Band: Monsters University Collegiate Extravaganza

This year’s show is entitled The Monsters University Collegiate Extravaganza! Enjoy as the Big Red Marching Band pays tribute to the traditional college football halftime shows through the exciting music featured in Disney/Pixar’s film Monsters University.

We begin with the MU Fight Song, which features the band storming the field with our thunderous drum cadence and up tempo marching as we form the letters of our beloved Monsters University. Our second tune is Gospel, popularized by the jazz-funk group the March Fourth Marching Band. We further embrace the college band repertoire in this jazz tune by featuring a step show by the color guard, a brass combo and even improvised solos by Chelsea Sharp on alto sax, Zach Washel on trombone, and Zak Barbezat on trumpet. The Monsters University Alma Mater slows the pace but emphasizes the wonderful imagery and complex footwork only a marching band is capable of. We conclude our tribute with the challenging and wonderfully textured Rise and Shine, which prominently features our drum line in two separate solo features.

The band is under the direction of Mr. Steve Straka. Band staff includes assistant band director Mr. Adam Tucker, guard instructor Mrs. Tink Fazekas, and percussion instructor Mr. Tim Wilson. Musical arrangements and drill design are by the incomparable Banderman Productions! Band leadership this year includes Chelsea Sharp, Austin Esquirell, Thomas Schloo, Kaitlyn Margulies, Elayna Wilson, and Brooks Kaufman. The band is under the field direction of Sara Mack and Matthew Gargano. The Big Red Marching Band would like to acknowledge SASD superintendent Mr. Frank Gallagher, SAHS principal Dr. Sam Varano, athletic director Mr. Tom Quintois, and the faculty, staff, and community in the Souderton Area School District. Extra special thanks to the Big Red Band Boosters for all of their hard work and dedication to this great organization!