ASU Band receives new uniforms for the 2009-10 marching season

Sept. 2, 2009 -- “It’s a great time to be a student at ASU,” said Dr. Kenneth Carroll, ASU band director.

It’s football season, and the ASU band has more than football to look forward to this year. New uniforms were sent to the band Monday, Aug. 31, and 200 uniforms were issued to the students over the next couple of days. The band received 50 more uniforms than the actually needed. The reason extra uniforms were ordered was that some students, including freshmen, were not measured. The drum majors have been wearing the same standard jackets for the past 10 years.

ASU band members are pleased with the new look and feel for this fall. The new band uniforms are different from previous uniforms because there are more parts and pieces. The uniforms have a more layered look. The band now has a large array of style choices. Dr. Kenneth Carroll, said, “We were looking for a uniform that would make us flexible.”  Dr. Carroll said the uniforms are much easier to march.  They are also more contemporary. When the weather gets too hot, students are able to take off the jacket. The baldric, or sash, is also removable.

The uniforms depict the historical and changing imagery of the university. Because ASU recently changed its mascot, the band now wears Red Wolf baldrics across the older Indian baldrics. The baldrics cost $30,000. Altogether, the uniforms cost nearly $100,000. The Athletic Department provided t-shirts this year for the band to wear under the uniforms. Band members are responsible for providing their own black shoes and black socks.

The ASU band had a variety of different sources of money. Money came from the office of the Dean of Fine Arts, Dr. Dan Reeves, and the Chancellor’s Cabinet granted $1,000 to the band after they performed for a birthday party at the governor’s house.

The ASU band will show off their new uniforms for the first time Saturday night at the ASU vs. Miss. Valley State football game.

Rector will be having their annual Labor Day parade this Monday. The Rector marching band invited the ASU band. The ASU band will play patriotic music. Band members of ASU will load buses at 7 a.m. to hit the road. There will be a potluck at 11 a.m.

“I think the uniforms look really great. I’m glad we got something new,” said Chris VanBrok, freshman of Hoxie. VanBrok plays clarinet in the band.

Sara Hulett, public relations intern, is the author of this release. Photos courtesy of Sara Hulett. Hulett is a senior journalism major with an emphasis in public relations.
 

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