An independent student newspaper serving Iowa State since 1890
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03.04.2019 Vol. 219 No. 109
MONDAY
IOWA STATE DAILY The Iowa State University Cyclone Football Varsity Marching Band performs during the 59th Annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee Dec. 30, 2017
KENNEDY DERAEDT/ IOWA STATE DAILY Benjamin Whittington spoke at the StuGov presidential debate.
Podcast highlights StuGov candidates BY EMILY.BERCH @iowastatedaily.com Presidential c andidate Ben Whittington and vice presidential candidate Annaliessa Michelotti spoke about “bridging the divide,” Student Government transparency and environmental issues on campus in the Daily’s “Meet the Candidates” podcast series. W hittington and Michelotti spoke about their different backgrounds in politics, Whittington describing himself as a conservative and Michelotti describing herself as a liberal, and how they formed a bond rooted in their different beliefs. The Whittington-Michelotti campaign advocates for an increase in Student Government transparency, specifically discussing the Student Government website. The candidates spoke about the difficulty they have had navigating the website and their hope to make the website and Student Government’s activities more accessible to students. W hittington and Michelotti also spoke about their campaign’s emphasis on environmental issues on campus. Whittington worked as a canvasser at the Fund for the Public Interest during summer 2018 and said he hopes to implement some of its policy ideas at Iowa State. In their platform point to expand parking availability, the Whittington-Michelotti campaign intends to promote eco-friendly commuting options, such as a bikeshare service. Students would be able to check bikes out of a rack outside dorms and academic buildings, and potentially other living spaces, instead of driving to classes. The podcast for the WhittingtonMichelotti campaign can be found on the Daily’s website, as well as podcasts for Cody Woodruff and Analese Hauber and Austin Graber and Vishesh Bhatia. Student Government elections will take place March 12 and March 13, and students can vote online at vote.iastate.edu.
Marching forth A look at what drives varsity marching band BY MEG.GRICE @iowastatedaily.com For students and staff involved with The Iowa State University Cyclone Football ‘Varsity’ Marching Band, a typical season does not stop after Jack Trice closes its gates on football. There is much work to be done in Music Hall, and a new season to start up as soon as the ensemble’s final chord ends. Each year before the launch of the fall semester, 500 hopefuls move to Iowa State to have a chance at being a part of this group. With this same number going out each year, returners included, around 350 members make it into the varsity marching band. The audition judging is comprised of two portions — marching and music — done by the music faculty. Though talent in learning compositions and marching techniques are vital, there is more to becoming a member of the varsity marching band than what can be shown in skills. Leadership, a positive attitude and a positive spirit are important, too. “It’s not just about skill when you walk in the door,” said Christain Carichner, the director of
KATLYN CAMPBELL/ IOWA STATE DAILY The Cyclone Marching Band prepares to perform on the field before the football game against University of Iowa in Iowa City Sept. 8.
athletic bands at Iowa State. The ISU CF ‘V’ MB’s demographics are not what one typically expects. Less than 5 percent of the varsity marching band is made up of music majors.The largest major represented? Engineering, at over 50 percent. Additionally, 60 percent of members are freshmen. As an indicator of excellence, music is always memorized for football games, and the students have anywhere from one to two weeks to learn the show, plus drill during weekday rehearsals for around an hour and a half. The varsity band performs at all home football games, with days often starting at 5 a.m. for an 11 a.m. home game. There are numerous other performances and opportunities before kickoff. After practice, the band does a spirit walk when
the football team arrives. To pump up fans prior to the start of the game, the band is broken into smaller sections to play for visitors and tailgaters at Jack Trice. The step show follows on the stairs of the Alumni Center 90 minutes before kickoff with a parade into the stadium following. Inside the stadium, fans can typically hear pep band songs to liven up Cyclone spirit after a pregame show. Finally, a different half-time show each game tops off the day, with more pep playing at the north end zone until the game is over. The band performs at least one high school exhibition and football game each year in addition to the performances during halftime for Cyclone football. They have recently added Hilton Madness
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