Thunder of the East Marching Band

CollegeMarchingBandInfoBox
bandname=Thunder of the East

school=University at Buffalo
location=Buffalo, NY
conference=MAC
founded=1920
director=James E. Mauck
members=100+
uniform=Black pants with a blue and black jacket. Cavalier hats top off the uniform with UB Blue Plumes.

History

The first marching band at the University at Buffalo was formed in 1920 by 15 students. At that time, performances were limited to a few concerts, marching during the school's football games, and playing during basketball games. The band eventually dissolved in 1927, but many attempts were made to revive. The band was re-formed in 1946 by Gerald Marx. A saxophone player, Marx brought together around 50 players to play and march at university football and basketball games. They also played concerts around the area, including one in Kleinhans Music Hall, home of the Buffalo Philharmonic. In 1952, an Air Force ROTC band took over the marching band on campus, leaving the university band to play at basketball games.

In 1956, the newly formed music department at the university took over the marching band after the ROTC band failed to meet expectations during its existence. Dr. Robert Mols led this new band, writing the current fight song "Victory" that is heard at football games and basketball games today. Mols wanted the band to be comparable to Ivy League marching bands, creating uniforms that resembled uniforms of the Ivy Leaguers of the day. The band opened to much success and fanfare thanks to the efforts of Mols and the band's many weeks of practice before their premiere. In 1959, Buffalo Philharmonic member Lowell Shaw took over leading the marching band; Mols went back to conducting the university Concert Band. In 1961, the band again changed leaders with Frank J. Cipolla at the helm. The University purchased new uniforms and a new version of the Alma Mater was written. It was at this time that the band acquired its first nickname, "Pride of the East." In 1968, the band had the distinction of being the first group on campus to move to the new North Campus to what is now Bissell Hall. In 1969, the band marched in Richard Nixon's inauguration parade. Between 1961 and the early 1970s, the band grew from only 50 members to over 300 members. The university joined the SUNY system in 1962, eventually leading to the elimination of the football team and the marching band.

In 1981, a small group of students created a pep band for the then Division III football team. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, the band grew to become a Student Association group, so beginning the University at Buffalo Blue Noise Pep Band. During this time, there was talk of restarting the marching band, however it never developed. In 1999, the football returned to Division I. With this, the university decided a marching was again a necessity. Mark Flynn was made the director, and with the efforts of Kappa Kappa Psi, many local high schools, and Student Affairs, the Thunder of the East made its debut on September 11,1999. In 2000, the band began its second season with new uniforms and new words to fight song thanks to its writer Dr. Mols (it's believed that there were never any words for the original song). In the fall of 2001, the band made its first road trip in nearly 30 years to West Point to cheer on the Buffalo Bulls at Army's Michie Stadium.

Rehearsal

Band practices last from 6:30PM to 8:30PM, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the fall semester. Marching band can in fact be taken as a two credit course. Rehearsals for the most part are held at Kunz Field on UB's North Campus, which was the primary field for UB football when they were division III. On occasion rehearsals may be held at UB Stadium or in doors at Baird hall which houses the school's music department.

Class

Marching band is associated with the university Student Life and Athletic Bands and is not part of the School of Music at the university. All students in the band are given the option of taking MUS130, a 2 credit class. Members receive stipends for their efforts and scholarships are available for those that apply.

Band Camp

The band arrives at school one week before the start of the university's fall semester. Students are able to move into their assigned dorms prior to camp. During this time, the new members learn the band's marching technique and the beginning of that years field show, as well as the Fight Song and Alma Mater. While there are no auditions held to become a part of the band, during this week certain sections, such as the drumline, will hold internal auditions to determine placement on the line.

Organization

Director

James E. Mauck has been the director for the Thunder of the East since 2000. He received his undergraduate degree in music performance at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is the head director of athletic bands at the University at Buffalo. This includes the Thunder of the East and the Blue Noise Pep Band.

Instructors

The band acquires help from several additional instructors. These include:
*Jim Allen - Assistant Director / Marching Instructor
*John Hathaway - Public Relations Director / Drum Instructor
*Joe Giarizzo - Woodwind Instructor
*Joe Guardino - Drum Instructor
*Zack Legler - Brass Instructor
*Nick Boucccounis - Color Guard Instructor
*Jessica Romano - Majorettes / Dancers Instructor

Drum Majors

The Drum Majors for the Thunder of the East are the on-field commanders of the band, responsible for instructing proper marching technique and rehearsal etiquette. The Drum Majors primary responsibility is conducting the band. The Drum Majors for the 2008 season are Brandon Bryant, Eric Rochman, and Evonne Cleveland.

Officers

The band is also led by a number of students that are elected at the end of the marching band season.The 2008 Marching Band Officers are:
*Commanding Officer - John Bowie
*Executive Officer - Eric Rochman
*Executive Officer - Evonne Cleveland
*Social Chair - Everett Sauter

ection Leaders

Each section has a student leader that focuses on their specified instrument. Their responsibilities include helping the freshman learn the bands unique style of marching, helping the Instructors teach the music to the their appropriate section, and providing low-level leadership under the instructors and officers. New for 2008 each section also has an assistant section leader.
*Flutes - Meagan Hosking - Assistant: Amanda Dotterman
*Clarinets - Stephanie Phillips - Assistant: Zack Kelleher
*Saxophones - Eric Bill - Assistant: Everett Sauter
*Mellophones - Derek Peloquin
*Trumpets - Jorge Martinez - Assistant -
*Tubas - Keyan Shultes
*Trombones - Mitch Thompson - Assistant: Jeff Dorfman
*Baritones - Kasey Schultz - Assistant: Jeff Mercuri
*Battery - Nader Jamal, Brian Kamas
*Color Guard - Kaitlyn O'Rourke - Assistant: Meredith Feigel
*Majorettes - Sarah Mae Peters

Performances

The Thunder of the East performs many times throughout the year. The band performs at every home football game, travels to at least one away game per year, and attends other events, such as parades and field band competitions.

Game Day

The band starts game day by warming up and performing a pre-game concert in front of Slee Hall, the university's concert hall. The sounds from this performance can be heard around most of the North Campus, in effect being the first of many pre-game "pep rallys" that the band will perform. The band then marches down the road, playing in parade formation, to UB Stadium where it will perform at 1-2 different tailgate parties and the Blue and White Club. While marching, the band plays selections from its halftime show. When the band arrives at the stadium, it takes the field to perform a pre-game show. The band then goes to its section in the stadium, next to the student section and plays typical game tunes along with some of its halftime show. At halftime, the band performs its show facing the home crowd on the west side of the stadium. After the performance, the band returns to the stands to again join the crowd cheering on the Bulls. After the game, the band performs its halftime show facing the east side of the stadium, comprising mostly of students.

Travel

The band travels to away games and many other events. Recent trips include:

*Penn State UB Bulls vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Football
*New York City Columbus Day Parade
*New York State Field Band Conference Championships at the Carrier Dome
*Lewiston, NY Peach Festival Parade
*Lancaster, NY NYSFBC competition
*University of Pittsburgh, UB Bulls vs. Pitt Panthers Football

External links

[http://www.marchingband.buffalo.edu/ Thunder of the East] [http://www.kkpsi.org/ Kappa Kappa Psi]