The Warhawk Marching Band debuted their new fall show at the first home football game on Saturday at Perkins Stadium.

Dr. Glenn Hayes, director of bands, said that the new song selections revolve entirely around the theme of “superheroes.”

“We will be performing Black Sabbath’s ‘Ironman,’ the old television ‘Batman’ theme song, the jazzed up version of a song from ‘Spiderman,’ a piece from the film ‘The Mask of Zorro,’ and a selection from the ‘Superman’ movie,” Hayes said.

“And we are there for the love of music; we are very similar.”

Drum Major Mallory Hillock, said that performing the first show of the season is her favorite thing about participating in the band.

As a fourth-year participant of the Warhawk Marching Band, Hillock conducts the band with partner Joanne Gestwicki, who is also in her fourth year of dedication to the band.
“It’s cool to see it all come together,” Hillock said. “We learn the performance in steps, so it’s always rewarding to see the finished product.”

The band prepares one show and replays that performance for every game.

“We only do one show because we want everything to be good and clean,” Hayes said. “Our maneuvers, routines, and music are all memorized.”

Hayes said that there are currently 150 students in the band.

The students involved are required to make serious time commitments to the band when it comes to practicing.

Hayes said that he holds practices Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.

“We also hold camp a week before classes start,” Hayes said. “The percussion and color guard come the first day, and the woodwinds and brass sections come the second.”

Hayes said that the days at camp start at 9 a.m. and doesn’t end until 8:30 that night.

“On the days of camp, students practice morning, day, and night.” Hayes said.

Although the days at camp are filled with non-stop playing and practice, Hillock said that camp is a great place to make friends.

“It’s really fun,” Hillock said. “When I came my first year I was so nervous, but I instantly made friends and we became like a family. I actually ended up living with one of the girls that I met that day.”

For several years, the band has had the privilege of traveling with the UW-Whitewater football team to the National Championships.

Hayes said that traveling to Salem, Va. is always incredible.

On the trip to Salem Stadium, the band spends a total of two nights on the bus.

“I know that it sounds crazy, most people think that it is, but it’s all about camaraderie.” Hayes said.

Through this experience, the members of the band and the members of the football team have developed very close-knit relationships.

“We are very fortunate to be connected with the football Administration, they are great people,” Hayes said. “We have great relationships with the coaching staff and players.”

Hayes said that the band has a great respect for what the football team can accomplish.

“I respect that the players on the team are there for the right reasons, they don’t get paid for playing, they are just doing it for the love of the game,” Hayes said.