Sacred Heart University’s Marching Band has been bringing their energy to SHU sporting events for years, and this fall season is no different.
The Marching Band performed the songs “Sonic Boom,” “10 Duel Commandments,” “Heart of Stone” and “Give Me Everything” at the SHU vs Saint Anselm College football game on Saturday, Sept. 7.
The band continued playing despite the rain and put on their halftime performance in the stands. Titled “Unbreakable,” the setlist focuses on songs to encourage and hype up the crowd and players.
Sacred Heart University’s Marching Band
performing at the Pioneer Pavilion.
Source: Mark F. Conrad, Sacred Heart University
Sophomore and clarinet player Chris Napolitano choreographed part of this routine.
“The meaning ‘Unbreakable’ is to portray how we are able to overcome anything no matter how difficult it can get,” Napolitano said.
Members of the marching band have been preparing for this performance since arriving early on campus for band camp.
The leadership team arrived first on Aug. 11, learning the routine and dance. Once the rest of the band arrived on Aug. 16, the leadership team taught them the routine. The following 12-hour days were filled with learning the routine, fixing issues, and running it to perfection.
Sophomore and Band President Matt Meaney is in charge of running rehearsal and being the liaison for members and staff. Meaney also plays the trombone with the band.
“We come in a week early for band camp,” said Meaney. “We all talk about how much we miss it.”
The band rehearses their movements and music, making sure everyone knows their spots and movements. What sets this performance apart from others has to do with the choreography.
“I equate it to a football player learning different plays,” said Meaney. “We spell out the numbers one through nine during the 10 Duel Commandments, which is a greater challenge this year to march in shapes,” said Meaney.
“To me this performance is special because I was asked to choreograph the dance and everyone including the band alumni have told me that this is the most fun dance that they’ve seen,” said Napolitano. “They found the dance enjoyable as opposed to other years where they felt it was repetitive.”
Junior vocalist Toni Saracino performs “Heart of Stone” in the Front Ensemble.
“My favorite part of performing during the football season is the community,” said Saracino.
“We can see the impact we have to get the crowd involved in the game, even when the game might not be going our team’s way,” said Meaney.
Saracino, who also plays acoustic guitar, is in her third year of marching band. “Well of course I love performing the song that I sing, but besides that my favorite song to perform is 10 Duel commandments,” said Saracino. “It’s so energetic.”
“My favorite song to perform is Sonic Boom,” said Napolitano. “I really enjoy hearing the low brass play a catchy rhythm at max volume.”
Since arriving back on campus, the band has been practicing on Monday and Tuesday nights. During rehearsals the band revises and practices all movements and songs.
“It feels great to be back with my band family,” said Saracino.
“It’s fun to be back and see all of my friends that I made last year,” said Napolitano.
The SHU marching band will continue performing halftime shows at Sacred Heart football games throughout the fall season.
