Source: Frank Tracz, 785-532-3818, ftracz@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Sheila Ellis, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
HIGH SCHOOL BANDS FROM ACROSS THE STATE TO PERFORM AT K-STATE BAND DAY
MANHATTAN -- Hundreds of Kansas high school band members will soon find out what the "Purple Pride" hoopla is about.
On Saturday Sept. 15, the Kansas State University "Pride of Wildcatland" Marching Band will host its annual Band Day, where more than 30 Kansas high school bands will get a taste of what it's like to be part of a university marching band.
The high school bands will march in a parade and perform with the K-State Marching Band during halftime of the K-State vs. Missouri State football game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Frank Tracz, K-State director of bands, said Band Day is a tradition that has proved itself as a "major recruiting tool" for the organization.
"Most of these kids are coming from small towns in Kansas and to see our marching band and perform in the big stadium is exciting," Tracz said.
The parade will start at 11 a.m. on North Manhattan Avenue in Aggieville and end in front of the Manhattan Town Center on Poyntz Avenue.
Game attendees will hear a '50s musical theme with songs including: "I Saw Her Standing There," featuring the flag squads; "Jumping Jack Flash," featuring the twirlers; and "Gone Daddy Gone," featuring the dance squads. The bands also will perform "God Bless America" and Band Day favorites "The 1812 Overture" and "Wildcat Victory."
Participating schools include: Atchison High School; Rawlins County Junior-Senior High School, Atwood; Axtell High School; Baileyville-B&B High School; Bennington High School; St. Mary Parish Catholic School, Derby; Ellis High School; Mission Valley High School, Eskridge; Southeast of Saline High School, Gypsum; Halstead High School; Hiawatha High School; Hoisington High School; Horton High School; Humboldt High School; Junction City High School; Lincoln High School; Smoky Valley High School, Lindsborg; Linn High School.
Manhattan High School; Marysville High School; Neodesha High School; Peabody-Burns High School; Plainville High School; Riley County High School; Rock Creek High School, St. George, parade only; Sacred Heart High School, Salina; Nemaha Valley High School, Seneca; Udall High School; Valley Falls High School; and Campus High School and Wichita High School Northwest, both in Wichita.
More information about K-State Band Day is available at http://www.k-state.edu/band/ or call the K-State band office at 785-532-3816.