Kansas State University - The Royal Purple Yearbook

“together at halftime ' While K-State and Texas A & M ' s football teams play against each other, their marching bands unite to celebrate 100 years of " Stars and Stripes Forever. " Saxophone player Amy Lilyhorn, freshman in agricultural economics, watches Texas A & M University practice before the game at KSU Stadium. The performance was unique because of the bands ' different marching styles. (Photo by Clif Palmberg) When the Texas A & M University Aggies came to Manhattan, the football teams battled, but the bands united. Frank Tracz, K-State Marching Band director, and Col. Ray Toller, Texas A & M band director, brought the bands together at halftime Oct. 18 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of John Phillip Sousa ' s famous " Stars and Stripes Forever. " " We ' re very pleased to be invited by Dr. Tracz to perform at Kansas State, " Toller said. " Dr. Tracz and I are good friends, and we were excited about the performance. " Preparations for the show began in spring 1997. The bands finalized details two weeks before the performance and practiced together about 20 minutes before the game. " The idea came about last spring when I heard the A & M band was coming up for sure, " Tracz said. " I knew A & M was a great band, and we would need to perform our best. " After each band ' s separate performance, the bands combined. The more than 600 musicians stood together to play " Stars and Stripes Forever " as Tracz and Toller conducted. The different military style of Texas A & M was difficult for K-State ' s band to adjust to, said Todd Bennett, senior in chemical engineering and clarinet section leader. " The difficult part was the way they look at things and trying to work with their tempos and marching styles. " Bennett said. Having another band perform at the game made the crowd more attentive, said Erin Irick, sophomore in apparel and textile marketing and piccolo player. " It is a little intimidating when a band comes, but it makes us perform better, " Irick said. " I think we all did well, though, because we were so pumped for the game. " by chris davis A Texas A & M University band member plays the trumpet during halftime of the Oct. 18 game against K- State. The Cats defeated Texas A & M with a final score of 36-17. (Photo by Brandon White) band day.9 ”