Why children are getting and what UB is - University at Buffalo
Why children are getting and what UB is - University at Buffalo
Why children are getting and what UB is - University at Buffalo
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Each year, the b<strong>and</strong> chooses a theme for its<br />
field show, including music <strong>and</strong> costumes.<br />
Th<strong>is</strong> year’s theme <strong>is</strong> “City Rhythms: The<br />
Music of New York City.”<br />
Between practice, performance <strong>and</strong> travel, each member<br />
dedic<strong>at</strong>es about 200 hours to the b<strong>and</strong> in the fall<br />
semester alone. For those who also play in the spring<br />
pep b<strong>and</strong> th<strong>at</strong> time commitment doubles.<br />
B<strong>and</strong> members range in age from 17 to 25.<br />
In 1969, the b<strong>and</strong> marched in Richard Nixon’s<br />
Presidential Inaugural Parade.<br />
The b<strong>and</strong> acquired its first nickname, “Pride of the East,” in 1961, under the<br />
direction of Frank J. Cipolla, <strong>UB</strong> professor emeritus of music.<br />
‘Thunder of the East,’ in its tenth year,<br />
<strong>is</strong> a growing ensemble intent on<br />
building campus pride<br />
Strike up the<br />
b<strong>and</strong><br />
When the Thunder of the East performed <strong>at</strong> halftime throughout the Bulls’ magical 2008 football<br />
season, including the MAC Championship game <strong>and</strong> Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Bowl, the rolling, percussive burst<br />
of sound plus the pageantry—produced by nearly 150 musicians, dancers, flag be<strong>are</strong>rs <strong>and</strong> b<strong>at</strong>on<br />
twirlers—excited the fans <strong>and</strong> urged the players to victory.<br />
“Power, prec<strong>is</strong>ion <strong>and</strong> passion” <strong>are</strong> the b<strong>and</strong>’s defining principles <strong>and</strong> also serve as its motto,<br />
says James Mauck, marching b<strong>and</strong> director. “It [expresses] who we <strong>are</strong> <strong>and</strong> how we approach our<br />
performances <strong>and</strong> rehearsals. It <strong>is</strong> the b<strong>and</strong>’s motto for uniform cohesiveness, ensemble performance,<br />
<strong>and</strong> it reflects the individual contribution of each member.”<br />
But beyond the music there’s more than meets the eye (<strong>and</strong> ear) with th<strong>is</strong> marching b<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Story by Kevin Fryling, MA ’06, with photography by Douglas Levere, BA ’89<br />
26 Winter 2009 <strong>UB</strong>TODAY www.alumni.buffalo.edu