The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Marching Band had the opportunity to perform on the field with the Milwaukee Brewers Sept. 26. This moment marked the second time in two years that the marching band has performed on a Wisconsin-loving sports team field.
Two years ago, the marching band had the honor of performing at Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers, and now the same band was allowed to perform at the Brewers’ home stadium, American Family Field, although they weren’t the only Warhawk group to be present at that game.
“Two alums, one being a former marching band member and another being a baseball team member, were able to help invite the marching band to play the national anthem and invite the baseball team to be recognized for their win,” Glenn Hayes said.
Before the band arrived on the field, the baseball team was escorted to see where the game would be taking place, along with the team’s dugout. Through their journey past the stands, many were cheering at the members, making them smile and wave back as they looked around the stadium in awe.
When the time came, the marching band set up in front of the jumbotron, but not touching the green turf, while the baseball team was standing by the Aurora Health Care Bullpen. The team’s Division III Championship play was broadcast for all to see, and the crowd went wild as the team appeared in front of thousands of Brewers fans.
We talked with Hayes and band members the day before their emphatic performance.
“I am excited to perform and represent the university while being in the same field as my favorite MLB Team,” sophomore Eli Abraham said.
(Natalie Illikainen)
Abraham had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall, and now at the Brewers game. He stated the difference in performing is that Carnegie Hall is more music-focused, while the Brewer Game is lighthearted and simple. He added how none of his future performances can top or compare to him playing at a well-known historic music performance center and performing on the field of the Brewers.
“This experience took a lot of preparation, even though we are still performing [Warhawk] Strut and The Star Spangled Banner,” Abraham said. “As a section leader of the trumpets, I felt that I had to be more prepared to make my section succeed. It is both challenging and rewarding to be in that position.”
“I am excited to perform at the Brewers game, even though I am a Cubs fan,” junior Mitch Mccarty said. “It is still a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform in an MLB Field, no matter the team.”
McCarty is one of many marching band performers who have performed at both Lambeau Field and American Family Field. He goes on to elaborate that Lambeau was more stressful due to performing a full show at halftime, while at the Brewers game they aren’t moving and playing familiar tunes to both campus students and Brewers fans.
“The adrenaline is still going to kick in, but I think the band will have an amazing time both on the field and in the stands,” McCarty said. “I am more nervous about my Soprano saxophone solo at the Family Fest game, and this experience will help me deal with the nervousness of a lot of eyes on me.”
Senior Loren Kutz was another marching band member who was very excited for the performance. Kutz has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lambeau Field and now American Family Field. She described Carnegie as a wind ensemble performance on a stage and both fields to have a larger group of people appreciating performing there, as many non-musicians aren’t familiar with Carnegie.
(Charlie Clark)
“I have had my high school graduation ceremony at the American Family Field, so it is a big deal returning to perform,” Kutz said. “I am not one for sports, but the Brewers seem to have a good streak and season, so I am excited to watch the game in the stands without my uniform or instrument on.”
Senior Ian Curless, like Kutz, has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lambeau Field and American Family Field. He describes all performances having the same energy, the same awestruck moment, as well as getting a job done.
“This is my first time being at the American Family Field and I am excited to hear the crowd screaming during [Warhawk] Strut, then in silence for the national anthem,” Curless said. “I enjoy watching live sports and feeding off of the crowd’s energy, and it will be nice to relax in the stands with my closest friends.”
At the end of their performance, the crowd burst into cheers as the jumbotron was able to get some of the band members throughout the game in their casual attire of a purple Warhawk marching band T-shirt and a matching hat.
It is important to know the history of the band with this stadium, as well as future plans for their next Wisconsin-loving team performance.
“This is the fourth time the marching band has performed at a Brewers game, the first being on opening day back in 1989, next being the last opening day of the county stadium in 1999, and 2000 being the official last opening day since the crane incident,” Hayes said.
Hayes has stated that he and the marching band are always proud to represent the university and express their pride towards the students, as they always come through with every performance.
When asked if the marching band is going to try to perform at a Bucks game, Hayes responded with a “no, not this time.”
