Marching Band - Homecoming 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Whether you performed with the Marching Huskies, the Marching Huskie Show Band, or the Huskie Marching Band, you were once a member of the “Pride of the Midwest.” We are pleased to invite you back to campus on October 18th to join the 2008 NIU Alumni Marching Band for the 102nd Homecoming at NIU. Even if you have not played since your last performance at Northern, now is the time to dust off your instrument and help “Fill the Field.”
In an effort to build a strong Alumni Band and keep us all in touch with the Huskie Marching Band and Northern Illinois University, the Marching Band Alumni Council is working with the Alumni Association to form an Alumni Band affinity group. We are building a database of former band members—instrumentalists, color guard, Silverettes, twirlers—and helping the Alumni Association plan appropriate social events to bring us together on a regular basis. As part of our efforts, an Alumni Band website is under development.
For Homecoming 2008 the Alumni Band will perform the entire pregame show on the field alongside the Huskie Marching Band. For those who wish to participate, pregame includes forming the tunnel through which the team runs to take the field. Other performing opportunities include the tailgating parade, pep rally, stands, and postgame show. After the game, the Alumni Association is hosting a reception at the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center. We hope you will return to campus to reconnect with old friends and share memories.
INSTRUMENTS. Due to the band’s tremendous growth in the last four years, virtually every instrument the band owns is used by current members. Thus we ask that you provide your own instrument. Your local high school, junior high, or music store may be able to assist you.
MUSIC. Pregame music for the NIU Fanfare, Hail to the Huskies, Huskie Fight Song, Alma Mater, and National Anthem, plus the Band’s “stand jams,” is available in PDF format on the Alumni Band and Huskie Marching Band websites (see the addresses at the end of this letter). Please print the music and bring it with you. You will also need to provide your own lyre and flip folder, which you may obtain from your local music store or the band’s official supplier, Ellman’s Music Center in Naperville (630-355-5880, ellmansmusic.com).
BASE COST. We ask each Alumni Band performer to pay a $10 base cost to help cover expenses. All money remaining will be donated to the Huskie Marching Band. Returning Alumni Band members, please note that unlike the past two years, the base cost does not include a game ticket.
UNIFORM. To provide a consistent look on the field and demonstrate our Huskie pride, we ask each Alumni Band member to wear our “official” long-sleeved red t-shirt and dark or black pants or jeans. The cost of the shirt is $15. This year’s shirt will be the same as the last two years, so you do not have to purchase a shirt again if you performed with the Alumni Band in 2006 or 2007.
GAME TICKETS. NIU Athletics has generously provided a special Homecoming game ticket rate of $8 for Alumni Band members and their guests. These tickets are for general admission seating in the east grandstand, and you are welcome to sit near the Band. You will need to purchase a ticket for yourself and one for each guest. Again, the cost of your ticket(s) is separate from the base cost.
REGISTRATION. Advance registration for the evening reception is encouraged but not required. However, due to the complexity of Saturday’s performing activities, walk-ins cannot be accommodated and advance registration is required. There are three methods to register—online, fax, or regular mail. Online or fax registration requires payment by credit card, while mail registrants can pay by credit card or check. Please register for the pregame performance and return payment by Wednesday, October 1st.
Click Here for the Homecoming Day Marching Band Schedule
Click Here to download the registration form. Fax or email the completed form.
Click Here to login* and register online
Click Here for the NIU Huskie Alumni Marching Band website
Call 815-753-1452 for more information!
*Please note that we have a new online registration system that requires you to login to sign up for events. If you are an NIU graduate, you can search for your information and register. If you are not an alum, you can create a guest account. Please contact the alumni office at alums@niu.edu or (815) 753-1452 if you have any questions.
All sales are final. The NIU Alumni Association can not issue refunds for this event.
Time: All Day!
Place: DeKalb, Illinois
Cost: Various