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rss@northwesternbands.org (Northwestern Bands) (NUbands) — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 05:54:44 +0000

NUbands posted a photo:

The Northwestern University 'Wildcat' Marching Band performs at Ryan Field after Northwestern Football hosted Nebraska during homecoming on October 18, 2014.

Photo by Daniel M. Reck '08 MSEd.

Sneaky Sly Slide

rss@northwesternbands.org (Northwestern Bands) (NUbands) — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 05:53:54 +0000

NUbands posted a photo:

The Northwestern University 'Wildcat' Marching Band performs at Ryan Field after Northwestern Football hosted Nebraska during homecoming on October 18, 2014.

Photo by Daniel M. Reck '08 MSEd.

"Hail to Thee, Northwestern!"

rss@northwesternbands.org (Northwestern Bands) (NUbands) — Sat, 08 Nov 2014 05:52:27 +0000

NUbands posted a photo:

The Northwestern University 'Wildcat' Marching Band performs at Ryan Field after Northwestern Football hosted Nebraska during homecoming on October 18, 2014.

Photo by Daniel M. Reck '08 MSEd.

2015 Football Kicks Off Saturday With Open Practice

webcat@northwesternbands.org (Office of Bands)

MARCH 30, 2015 — EVANSTON, ILL. — The Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band will perform as Chicago’s Big Ten Team is put through its paces during an open practice at Ryan Field on Saturday, April 4. After the Wildcats work out, young fans can learn the game directly from Northwestern student-athletes.

“This is a great way to support the 2015 ‘Cats,” says Wildcat Band director Daniel J. Farris.

'Kits, 'Cats and Kids Week Returns

webcat@northwesternbands.org (City of Evanston)

September 15, 2014 — EVANSTON, ILL. — Evanston residents of all ages are invited to celebrate the back to school season during ‘Kits, ‘Cats and Kids Week. There will be a big Block party on Thu., Sept. 18 and the week culminates with a Big Ten football game at Ryan Field. The Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band and Evanston Township High School Marching Band will be featured performers.

New Drum Majors Kick Off Season Tomorrow

webcat@northwesternbands.org (Office of Bands)

August 29, 2014 — EVANSTON, ILL. — They toss their maces into the air, squinting against the sun. In perfect form, Drum Majors Elisabeth Sladek ’16 and Emily Liquin ’16 catch the heavy bits of spinning metal and march on.

They, along with the rest of the Northwestern University ‘Wildcat’ Marching Band, are putting the final touches on tomorrow’s debut performance of the fall 2014 season.

“Doing the backbend in front of that many people is going to be pretty nerve-wracking though,” says Liquin, who was appointed to the podium in April. Saturday will be her first full field performance.

NUMB Sets Beat for Arlington Park's Northwestern Day

webcat@northwesternbands.org (Office of Bands)

May 23, 2014 — EVANSTON, ILL. — Chicago’s premier thoroughbred facility, Arlington International Racecourse, will turn purple and white for the fourth-consecutive year to celebrate Northwestern Day on Sunday, June 1. The event, beginning at 11:15 a.m., will recognize the academics, athletics and pride of Chicago’s Big Ten Team with unique and special events for fans of all ages.

While world class horses and their jockeys speed around the Arlington Park track, several of Northwestern’s top coaches will be on hand to meet-and-greet with fans throughout race day. The Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band, WildPride and Willie the Wildcat will also be at the park for special performances and photo opportunities.

The sixth race on Sunday’s card has been designated the Northwestern Cup. The approximate post time for that race will be 3:30 p.m., while the first race of the day will go off at 1 p.m.

“This is a really fun event that features lots of purple and NU coaches in attendance,” says Northwestern University Director of Althetic Bands Daniel J. Farris.

NUMB Invites High School Bands to Evanston

danielreck@u.northwestern.edu (Daniel M. Reck)

April 28, 2014 — EVANSTON, ILL. — “High school marching bands are invited to participate in two events we will host again next fall,” says Daniel J. Farris, director of athletic bands at Northwestern University.

“High School Band Day is a mass band event that will be held during the halftime of the Northwestern/Northern Illinois football game” on Sat., Sept. 6, says Farris. Participating high school bands will rehearse with the Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band before taking the field with the Wildcats during halftime (if weather allows). Admission to the game is included for band members and personnel.

In recent years, around 1,000 students have performed together during the halftime show, which feature simple straight-line marching to a stationary block in Ryan Field. “This is a non-competitive event,” says Farris.

High school bands are welcome to enjoy the remainder of the game or depart immediately after halftime.

Later in the fall at the Northwestern Homecoming Parade, “thousands of enthusiastic Northwestern fans line the parade route on Sheridan Road in Evanston,” says Farris. The parade will step off at 6:30 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 17. Participating bands enjoy viewing an open rehearsal of NUMB at 4 p.m. before enjoying a group meal with other high school ensembles in the parade. All bands are invited to enjoy the 7:15 p.m. pep rally in Deering Meadow. This event features the Wildcat Band, WildPride, and other VIPs.

Bands should register promptly to participate in either High School Band Day or the Homecoming Parade. Detailed schedules, music information, and other logistical information will be mailed to high school band directors when their applications are received./p>

Questions about these events may be e-mailed to Farris, who may also be reached at 847–491-4751.

Wildcat Band Returns to Wrigley Field for Centennial

danielreck@u.northwestern.edu (Daniel M. Reck)

APRIL 18, 2014 — CHICAGO, ILL. — “We have been invited to perform the national anthem and a few other tunes at the 100th anniversary of the opening of Wrigley Field,” says Daniel J. Farris, director of the Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band.

The band and other dignataries including Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig and Dutchie Caray, widow of the the late legendary Harry Caray, will be on hand for the celebration on April 23. The Chicago Cubs will host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 1.20 p.m. game, which comes exactly one century after Weeghman Park—now Wrigley Field—hosted baseball.

“After both starting lineups are announced, members of the Northwestern University marching band will take the field, which was customary for Opening Day and other special events during the ballpark’s first two decades,” writes MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat.

NUMB Kicks Off 2014 Football Season Saturday

danielreck@u.northwestern.edu (Daniel M. Reck)

APRIL 10, 2014 — EVANSTON, ILL. — Northwestern University football fans are invited to a free spring football game at Ryan Field this weekend. Ryan Field gates will open at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“This is always a fun event and a great way to get fired up for next fall,” says Daniel J. Farris, director of the Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band, which will perform as the Wildcat football team practices on the field.

The Wildcat team will begin its practice at 10 a.m. and continue until about noon. Concession stands will be open during the event.

Wildcat Band, Wildside to Switch Sides at Ryan Field

danielreck@u.northwestern.edu (Daniel M. Reck)

FEBRUARY 7, 2014 — EVANSTON, ILL. — It is going to look a bit different at Ryan Field in the fall. The Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band and the student seating section are moving to the southeast side of the stadium as reported by Alex Putterman in The Daily Northwestern.

“The new location [for the band] is in the bottom of section 111 on the east side of the field,” says Daniel J. Farris, Director of the Wildcat Band. “This is essentially an inverted mirror of where we were before, changing from the northwest side to the southeast side. ”

About 5,000 students will join the band on that side of the field in sections 111–114. This is roughly the same number as in the previous sections.

“Better seats, more TV time, no camera cart blocking the goal line, ability to actually see the video board,” read a Facebook post from Gram Bowsher, president of the Wildside, Northwestern’s student spirit organization.

Wildcat Band Sets Homecoming Beat on ESPN, ABC, "Mike & Mike"

danielreck@u.northwestern.edu (Daniel M. Reck)

OCTOBER 3, 2013 — EVANSTON, ILL. — It will be a busy homecoming weekend for the Northwestern University “Wildcat” Marching Band, with lots of opportunities for fans to see and hear the band in Evanston and on the air across the country.

The broadcast of ESPN’s popular College GameDay from Northwestern University’s Evanston campus this Saturday, Oct. 5, adds great momentum both to the University’s Homecoming festivities and to the success of the University’s athletics program. The Wildcat Band will be on hand during the show, which will preview Saturday night’s match against Ohio State.