Northwestern Bands - Latest Updates

Pete Friedmann: Voice of the Band... and now Wildcat Basketball

webcat@northwesternbands.org (NUMB WebCat) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:06:00 +0000

February 20, 2012 — EVANSTON, ILL. — This season a new voice welcomes the Northwestern University Women's Basketball team each time they hit the court in Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Yet, many Wildcat fans probably recognize the you-can-hear-the-smile inflections of rookie basketball announcer Pete Friedmann (C79). After all, he's been the Voice of the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band for more than three decades.

"Although I’m a professional announcer, voice over artist and former broadcaster, I’ve never really announced sports," says Friedmann.

Nonetheles, someone saw—or rather heard—potential in Friedmann. When the call for auditions went out, he tried out "like anyone else," he says. He got the job.

"My wife and I have been going to NU Women’s Basketball games for at least 20 years," he says. "I would be there for most games anyway, and I liked the idea of trying something new and challenging along the way."

Although Friedmann has been in the announcer's box at hundreds of Northwestern athletic events, he has always had the benefit of knowing ahead of time what the Wildcat Band planned for its performances.

"The excitement in being a sports fan is that you never know until it happens," he says. "The biggest challenge for me—besides not being able to cheer for the ‘Cats and sing along with NUBB [the basketball band]—is keeping track of everything when it seems it’s all happening at once, and trying to announce it in a timely manner."

While Friedmann works from a script with the marching band, often counting footsteps and drumbeats to time his announcements, the flow of a basketball game is a bit more frantic.

Growling at the Meineke Bowl

rss@northwesternbands.org (Northwestern Bands) (NUbands) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:38:23 +0000

NUbands posted a photo:

The Northwestern University 'Wildcat' Marching Band performs at the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas in Houston as Northwestern football challenges Texas A&M University.

Photo by Daniel M. Reck (GSESP08).

Terrific Tenors

rss@northwesternbands.org (Northwestern Bands) (NUbands) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:38:11 +0000

NUbands posted a photo:

Singing "Hey Baby!"

rss@northwesternbands.org (Northwestern Bands) (NUbands) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:37:58 +0000

NUbands posted a photo:

Color guard members sing "Hey Baby!" as the Northwestern University 'Wildcat' Marching Band performs at the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas in Houston as Northwestern football challenges Texas A&M University.

Photo by Daniel M. Reck (GSESP08).

NUMBALUMS Invited to Join Basketball Band Jan. 28

webcat@northwesternbands.org (NUMB WebCat) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:12:27 +0000

January 23, 2012 — EVANSTON, ILL. — Dozens of band alumni will once again don purple shirts and ready their instruments to play in support of Northwestern basketball this Saturday, Jan. 28., as the Wildcats challenge Purdue at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcat faithful will perform alongside the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Basketball Band.

"Director [of Athletic Bands] Dan Farris has been kind enough to invite the NUMBALUMS to play with NUBB for one Big Ten game each season the past couple years," says Brittany Petersen (J09), Vice President of Publicity for the NUMBALUMS. "We're not about to let a good thing end!"

The NUMBALUMS organization, which includes alumni from all of Northwestern's band programs including the marching band, asks interested alumni performers to register on their website before midnight this Friday.

NUMB Shares, Collects Photos for Posterity

webcat@northwesternbands.org (NUMB WebCat) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 13:56:54 +0000

January 12, 2012 — EVANSTON, ILL. — Photo loving fans of the Northwestern University 'Wildcat' Marching Band are discovering the ensemble's new photostream on Flickr.

"We launched it just after the last home game," says the band's Director of Web Media, Daniel M. Reck (GSESP08). "Over one hundred official photos from the Meineke Car Care Bowl trip are being posted over the next few days."

Many of those photos were taken by Tom McGrath (C03), the Wildcat Band's Director of Photography, who was assisted by Reck during the trip. Both are NUMBALUMS.

"I started working with NUMB several years ago," says McGrath, who is also owner of TCMcG Photography, which has provided professional headshots for Northwestern students launching their musical and artistic careers. His images and videos have been used to promote the band on campus and the band's website.

As more social networks emerged, it was time to find a "broader way to showcase and distribute Tom's work," Reck says. The new Flickr-based stream was selected for its easy accessibility and social features.

"Fans can go out right now and start commenting on photos," says Reck. "In fact, they can also contribute their own favorite shots."

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas - Northwestern vs. Texas A&M - NUMB Pregame

rss@northwesternbands.org (Northwestern Bands) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:33:08 +0000

Northwestern University was proud and honored to represent the Big Ten Conference in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas at Reliant Field in Houston, TX. In order to share the field on New Year's Eve with the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, NUMB performed a "brevity" pregame, which excises the usual patriotic medley. NUMB thanks the Wildcat fans that traveled to Houston for their support of NUMB and Northwestern. NUMB is led on the field by Drum Major Michael San Gabino. Feature Twirler is Kali Maginity. Percussion captains are Justin Lueker and Matt Strumpf, instructed by Dave Eisenreich. The guard captains are Robyn Hund and Rachel Marsiglio, instructed by Andy Toth. NUMB Graduate Assistant is Joe Higgins. Graduate Assistants are Leah McGray, David Regner, Deanna Tham, and John Zastoupil. Northwestern University Director of Bands is Dr. Mallory Thompson, and the Director of the Wildcat Marching Band is Mr. Dan Farris. NUMB is presented by the Bienen School of Music, Toni-Marie Montgomery, Dean.

IT'S GAMEDAY: The 2011 Meineke Bowl of Texas

webcat@northwesternbands.org (NUMB WebCat) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:18:04 +0000

December 31, 2011 — HOUSTON, TEXAS — "HEY BAND!" shouts the SpiriTeam of the Northwestern University 'Wildcat' Marching Band.

"HEY WHAT?", the 160 musicians reply.

"WHAT DAY IS IT?"

"IT'S GAME DAY!"

For the fourth year running, and the second in a row in Texas, the Wildcat band is performing in at a college bowl game. At 11 a.m., Northwestern University will kickoff on the gridiron against Texas A&M University. The teams both have 6-6 records leading into the game, which will be broadcast on ESPN.

For the band and the team, the day will start much earlier. Early risers in Houston will see an impromptu parade of purple and white as the Wildcat band makes its way down the street from their hotel to greet the team.

"We'll find a spot to warm up and say 'Welcome to Northwestern' to some unsuspecting Texans along the way," says Director of Athletic Bands Daniel J. Farris.

Northwestern Fans Invited to Open Rehearsal Friday

webcat@northwesternbands.org (NUMB WebCat) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:41:16 +0000

December 29, 2011 - HOUSTON, TEXAS - One thousand miles from home, clad in purple t-shirts and shorts, members of the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band still worked up a sweat as they rehearsed their fast entry... again.

The temperature at the Rice University stadium was a relatively balmy 54 degrees, compared to the usual teeth-chattering weather back home in Chicago.

"Okay band, we have just three more rehearsals and then we're doing this for real." The words of Director of Bands Daniel J. Farris echoed through the empty stadium as band members scurried to their next rehearsal positions.

With a compressed time limit for both the pregame show and the halftime program, the band is working hard to adapt to rapid-fire drill changes. The footwork is not the only thing changing in this post-season game.

NUMB Ready to Journey to Texas

webcat@northwesternbands.org (NUMB WebCat) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:34:40 +0000

December 28, 2011 — EVANSTON, ILL. — "Welcome back, everyone!" said Director of Athletic Bands Daniel J. Farris, as the members of the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band gathered on the indoor turf at Trienens Hall.

The band growled in excitement.

In just hours, they will board a chartered flight from O'Hare International Airport and fly to Houston, Texas, in support of the Northwestern football team as they look for a victory at the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas.

"It's very exciting to be going back to Texas," said drum major Michael San Gabino (Mu13). He conducted the band at its bowl performance in Dallas last year.

NUMB Scores One on Houston's KHOU-TV

webcat@northwesternbands.org (NUMB WebCat) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:09:40 +0000

December 14, 2011 — EVANSTON, ILL. — "Spread far the fame of our fair name! Go, Northwestern, win that game!" sang Nick Arcos, a mellophonist from the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band, as he appeared on KHOU-TV's Great Day Houston program Tuesday. The purple-clad Northwestern fans in the television audience burst into applause and cheers.

Arcos represented his alma mater while competing against one, then two, contestants from Texas A&M University in a challenge to see which school's fans could better sing their school's fight song.

Host Deborah Duncan first introduced Bill, an Aggie fan, who could not find the words as a recording of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band played.

"Any Aggie fans in the audience here? Come on down and help Bill out!" cheered Duncan. Soon, another fan joined Bill, and together they sang "The Aggie War Hymn" as A&M fans clapped along in tempo.

Then, Arcos was introduced, even wearing his Wildcat Band t-shirt, which read "NUMB 1911-2011."

Bands' Preparations Underway for Meineke Bowl

webcat@northwesternbands.org (NUMB WebCat) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:40:24 +0000

November 9, 2011 — EVANSTON, ILL. — The nation's fourth largest city is about to welcome the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band for their record-breaking fourth bowl game appearance in a row.

"We will be traveling to Houston on December 29," says Daniel J. Farris, Northwestern University director of athletic bands. "There are still many details to be worked out."

The fall term has just wrapped up on the Evanston campus, and after one last rehearsal, students have headed home for the holidays. The band, like the team, will return to Evanston early to prepare for its first-ever appearance at the Meineke Care Care Bowl of Texas. The game will be played at Reliant Stadium at 11 a.m. on New Years' Eve.

The Wildcats' eligibility for the bowl game is owed mainly to a four-game winning streak in the last half of the season, during which Northwestern upset ninth-ranked Nebraska while on the road. This year's is the winningest senior class in school history, with 36 wins.

NUMB Salutes Seniors' Service

webcat@northwesternbands.org (NUMB WebCat) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 03:20:58 +0000

November 26, 2011 — EVANSTON, ILL. — The persistent drizzle in Ryan Field today could not wash away seniors' tears as they were recognized for their years of service in the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band.

It was a day for emotional traditions. The halftime finale was "March of the Steelmen," which has been performed by the Wildcat band at the end of each home season since 1928, "just two years after the dedication of Ryan Field's predecessor, Dyche Stadium," explained Pete Friedmann, the Voice of the Wildcat Band, whose words reverberated through the P.A. system. "This year, once again, we salute our seniors and you, our loyal fans," said Friedman.

Then, Friedmann introduced each of the ensemble's twenty-seven members who are finishing their tenure this season. Mary Baker of Frankfort, Ill., fought to contain tears as she joined the other graduating saxophonists at the front of the field. They and the rest of the seniors joined arms and swayed as Director of Bands Mallory Thompson conducted the University Hymn.

Florida band cites NUMB as inspiration

webcat@northwesternbands.org (NUMB WebCat) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:38:00 +0000

November 9, 2011 — EVANSTON, ILL. — A high school band in Palm Bay, Fla., cites the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band among others as its inspiration, according to Florida Today in a recent article.

James Bernard Wilkins, director of the Panther Marching Band at Heritage High School, describes his band as "a combination of an older style from Texas A&M, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Northwestern universities and the historically black universities and colleges of today."

The Wildcat Band finds itself referenced in good company. Each of the named bands is a winner the Sudler Trophy, which is awarded by the John Philip Sousa Foundation to "recognize collegiate marching bands of particular excellence."

The foundation's statement of purpose for the award says receiving bands "have made oustanding contributions to the American way of life" and have "demsontrated the highest musical standards and innovative marching routines and ideas."

Strike Up The Band (1960)

rss@northwesternbands.org (Northwestern Bands) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:59:13 +0000

Northwestern University Marching Band presents: STRIKE UP THE BAND

NUMB on the Big Ten Network

rss@northwesternbands.org (Northwestern Bands) — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:17:28 +0000

NUMB's pregame performance and new uniforms were featured on the Big Ten Network prior to the Northwestern vs. Michigan game on October 7, 2011. Many thanks to NUBears (@NUHighlights on Twitter) for the video capture.