Fusing music with tradition

Total cacophony. \nThat's the best way to describe the beginning of the Marching Hundred's Homecoming show rehearsal. The band's 290 members, crowded into a barely big enough room at the Creative Arts Center, chattered away while they tuned their instruments and looked over the music they'd just received for Saturday's halftime show. But the noise died down as director David C. Woodley approached the center of the room to make his announcements. People shushed their friends, and one girl snapped, "Shut up!" \nThe band members might be high-spirited, but they were here to work. \nWoodley complimented the band on its performance at the Oct. 7 game at Northwestern and then moved on to discuss preparations for the Homecoming show. They are doing something a bit different this year, Woodley said.\n"We usually do Homecoming as an old-people's show, with music that people in the over-85 crowd would appreciate," Woodley said. "This year, we're trying for something that will appeal to a wider range of audience."\nWoodley said the drill will be different as well -- the band will be marching in the style of a military band. While this is a traditional marching style dating back to the 1920s, it's new to the Marching Hundred.\nThe band's Homecoming repertoire consists of "Minnesota Rouser," a fairly modern arrangement dedicated to Herman B Wells and a traditional march medley that includes "Stars and Stripes Forever," "42nd Street" and the "Soundpower Medley," which Woodley said "will be recognized by the 'semi-old folks.' Everyone who was in a high school band in 1972 played the songs in this medley." \n"42nd Street," during which the Redsteppers will also perform, is unique because it was arranged by a student. Assistant Director Doug Stotter said it's unusual for halftime shows to use student arrangements. Stotter said he is pleased with the way the band's Homecoming preparation is coming along. \n"I'm actually rather impressed," Stotter said. "The music they're playing is a little more difficult than usual, and they're coming along with it really well."\nStotter said having only two weeks to prepare won't put any extra pressure on the band. \n"Two weeks is just about right," Stotter said. "Three weeks is too long -- they'll get bored with it. One week is doable, but you really have to push. But two weeks is plenty of time to get ready for a show." \nForty minutes after receiving the music, the band was ready to begin outdoor drill. The group assembled in the parking lot outside the Creative Arts Center and practiced under Woodley's direction. Woodley instructed and gave encouragement from his podium high above the lot. \n"Oh my God, I'm a happy parent," Woodley boomed as the band neatly executed the steps for the first few measures of this Saturday's show. "Oh, my God, that was great. I think I'm gonna' wet my pants."\nEnthusiasm was high, and when Woodley said, "That was great! Now let's do it twice more and then get out of here," the band cheered and members raced back to their starting points. From his platform, Woodley kept up a running commentary of encouragement and advice. "That wasn't bad," Woodley said. "Keep following … I love you all … Keep following … Good work. Yessiree Bob Cattails, good work."\nRehearsal ended, and Woodley told his band it was "1927 all over again." He said this year the band will spell "H B Wells" at the end of the performance. The Hundred is already famous for being the first band ever to spell out the name of a university, according to the band's Web site. \nHundred members later said they enjoyed the more traditional style of marching. \n"It's a different kind of show," said Brandon Knight, a sophomore mellophone player. "It caters more to the alumni crowd, but you have to consider more possibilities when you have a greater range of people showing up than usual." Knight added that his favorite part of the Homecoming season was meeting the alumni band and playing "Sing, Sing, Sing" with them at the game.\n"There's a few minutes Saturday morning where we will get to talk to them, and it's always nice to be able to say 'hi' to people who just graduated or meet someone who was in the Marching Hundred 40 years ago. "\nJunior tenor saxophone player Peter Kaiser also said meeting the alumni band is enjoyable. \n"There's a sort of camaraderie shared by everyone who was ever in the Marching Hundred," he said. "That, and singing the alma mater after practice every Saturday, are probably my favorite parts of being in this band"