The Eastern University Marching Band is proud to present our show, “The Journey,” in our inaugural season. As captain of the color guard, I have the privilege to work with every member of the brass, woodwinds, drumline and color guard while watching each person grow in their talents. The commitment that every person has shown in the first few weeks of being a part of the band is inspirational and is shown in our performance. The marching band is performing at all of the home football games for the 2024 season where we will be performing our halftime show “The Journey” and then in the stands throughout each quarter. After the football season, we will have a smaller pep band that will be playing at Basketball games as well as the drumline and color guard who are going to be making special appearances.
In all my 6 years of marching band and color guard, there was never a sense of family feeling that I now have with Eastern’s marching band. When we aren’t at practice, you can find many of us going to the DC as a group, hanging out in each other’s dorms, and even finding time to worship. Apart from rehearsal time, the relationships that we all share with one another help the entirety of the group to form a union that makes the performance even more special as we share it. We’ve had the opportunity to grow into our own little family here on campus which allows us to grow closer to God and with each other. Hanging out with everyone allows me the chance to be myself and to let all of my worries disappear.
Our band director, Dr. Kate Smucker, and Drumline director, Professor Marcus Myers have put in so much time and energy to get the band to where we are currently. Their dedication to their students is unlike any other and has supported the success of the new Marching Band program. Working with them has helped me gain so much knowledge as to what goes into getting a band program started and they are always there to answer any questions. Being able to work with such amazing directors has been so inspiring to me and they are amazing role models. They have taught me what it means to teach while spreading God’s word through music and visuals. They have both become a huge part of our Marching Band family.
Eastern Marching Band held the first-ever band camp during pre-season which took place August 17th to August 23rd. During camp, we all learned the show music, color guard routines, and marching skills, and even competed in the band Olympics. Band camp can be very long and tiring for those who have not been in a Marching Band before, but the outcome at the end of the week is always rewarding. Now that we are in the regular season, we practice twice a week in the gym while the color guard has sectionals outdoors. Everyone in the marching band works both during practice and outside of our scheduled rehearsal time to work on the music or flag routines.
To anyone who might be interested in joining the Marching Band, go for it. Even if you have never been a part of a marching band before, that is okay! We are always looking for people who are interested in learning more about marching band, whether who play an instrument or have never done color guard before. Our band has both students who have been in marching band since middle school and who this is their first year doing so. The band is a way to grow in leadership, musicality, and creativity. Not only do you get to go to almost all the football games but you make lifelong memories with a newfound family. I don’t know the type of person I would be if I didn’t have marching band and color guard in my life but I know that God has provided me with a community where I can be myself. He’s given me a space where I can use my creativity artistically to put on a performance for an audience and to make people smile. So for those who are on the fence about joining the marching band, you never know what God has planned for you but he always helps bring you what you need.
We can’t wait for this season and for all of you to see the hard work that has been put into our very first marching band show! LET’S GO EAGLES!
Josh Steen 
Daniel Finegan 
Hannah Bonanducci