Traditions
The band has a rich history and many traditions. These traditions vary in the levels of seriousness. However, from the most outrageous to the most somber, all of these traditions have a place rooted deeply in the activities of the Marching Leathernecks.
The tradition of "Georgia On My Mind" has been in practice since 1982. At the end of every show the band plays its traditional closer, "Georgia on My Mind". This piece features a trumpet soloist and an interesting presentation of the band. For this tune the brass is packed against the fence, right next to the crowd. Halfway through, the brass turns as one to face the crowd while playing as loudly as possible. Needless to say, this has become a crowd favorite. The late Dale Hopper started this tradition, along with many others.
Another important tradition started by Mr. Hopper is the "Never Walk Circle". After each performance, the band forms an inner facing circle to perform "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel. This piece, which is performed for the group themselves instead of its audience, is used strengthen the commitment of the members to one another as individuals and helps to bond the group as a caring, compassionate family, both on and off the field. This has only been officially recorded once in the history of the group. That recording was made during a tribute to Dale Hopper who passed suddenly in the Fall of 2005.
Read more about this topic: Western Illinois University Marching Leathernecks
Famous quotes containing the word traditions:
“I think a Person who is thus terrifyed [sic] with the Imagination of Ghosts and Spectres much more reasonable, than one who contrary to the Reports of all Historians sacred and profane, ancient and modern, and to the Traditions of all Nations, thinks the Appearance of Spirits fabulous and groundless.”
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719)
“But generally speaking philistinism presupposes a certain advanced state of civilization where throughout the ages certain traditions have accumulated in a heap and have started to stink.”
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)
“And all the great traditions of the Past
They saw reflected in the coming time.
And thus forever with reverted look
The mystic volume of the world they read,
Spelling it backward, like a Hebrew book,
Till life became a Legend of the Dead.”
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1809–1882)