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"Music is the strongest form of Magic"

 

- Marilyn Manson

About Us

The University of Minnesota Flute and Piccolo section is a group of individuals who are passionate about contributing their musical and performance skills to the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.  Under the Direction of Professor Betsy McCann, the University of Minnesota "Pride of Minnesota" Marching band carries on the tradition of excellence set forth since 1892. 

 

The Season 126 University of Minnesota Flute and Piccolo section consists of 22 members, 12 veterans and 10 rookies. Throughout the season, the band performs over 100 times. On a traditional Gopher Football game day, performances include small Tailgate Bands, a Plaza show, the Pregame performance, a Halftime Show, and a post-game performance.  During the traditional Pregame Performance, the band is seen displaying their signature "chair-step" marked by a 90Ëš angle and a pointed-toe.  A run cadence takes the band on and off the field during the Pregame show and off the field during the Halftime show.  During these football games, the band acts as a pep band and performs throughout the entirety of each game. The band also performs in parades including the Fourth of July Delano Parade, State Fair parade, the Homecoming Parade, and various other parades when asked by alumni and fans.  Other peformances include Pride and Spirit, Convocation Day , various performances during Homecoming week, and our yearly Indoor Show at Northrop Auditorium.  Every other year, the band also performs a Pre-Indoor Show at the Rochester Mayo Clinic.

 

WE MARCHED WITH JT!

On February 4th, 2018, the entire UMMB was lucky enough to perform with Justin Timberlake in the Suberbowl LII Halftime Show! While our percussion, brass, and saxaphones played their instruments in the song "Suit and Tie", our woodwinds were in a multitude of songs and played many roles in the show; from being concertgoers, to holding mirrors, to guiding lines of dancers. The experience was once-in-a-lifetime and the whole band made so many memories during the rehearsal and performance process. All members of our flute/piccolo section had an absolute blast and we are so grateful to all who made this opportunity possible! 

 

This year, the Flutes and Piccolos, along with the other members of the Pride of Minnesota, have dedicated hundreds of hours to the common goal of having this group sound and look the best they can in order to represent the University and Minnesota as a whole.  Over 100 of these hours have been put into about two weeks before the beginning of the school year, called SPAT camp. The leaders for the season show their skills during this tough week as the veterans relearn how to march and the rookies learn the signature high step as well as other fundamentals. During this time, the band also prepares for many different performances, including the first football game. 

 

If this organization may be of interest to you, click on the CONTACTS link to learn more about the Pride.  

 

Flutes Rule!

 

Ever wonder what kinds of facilities the University of Minnesota Marching Band are fortunate enough to have? Follow Janessa Palmer, a flute alumni and former member of the video and technology team as she guides you through the Marching Band Facilities. In this tour, you will get to see rehearsal, meeting, and locker rooms along with how we get onto the field, among other things.

After 24 years, the Pride of Minnesota Uniforms had gone through some wear and tear. With almost two and a half decades of extreme climate changes, hemming and ironing, sweating, and lots of marching, we started our Marching Band Uniform Campaign in 2015.  The goal of this campaign was to raise $400,000 to replace our current, worn-out uniforms with 400 new uniforms. In this video, alto saxophone alum, Elizabeth Bischoff, guides you through the design of the new uniform, including new features.  Thanks to the generosity of many groups and individuals, the University of Minnesota Marching Band was able to raise enough money to debut these new uniforms in the fall of 2016!  

The first Gopher Game of our 124th season came up very fast. On September 3rd, 2015 just over a week after the rookies took their first chair step, the kickoff started the game against TCU (Texas Christian University), the #2 ranked team in the country.  The flutes and piccolos were chosen to be the first section featured in the preview video. 

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