The deep, resonating sound of percussion filled the air Wednesday afternoon as the UTM Skyhawk marching band warmed up in the courtyard before practice.

The percussion section commanded attention from passers-by as sheer power emitted from the unison of their instruments. Director Dr. Brian Amaral waited, then once the percussion section finished, called the practice to order.

Then it was the woodwinds’ turn.

Soon, sounds of brass woodwinds resonated in unison, filling the afternoon air, sounding like one instrument.

Once the instruments and their players were warmed up, the director lifted his arms, waited for the attention of his band members as they waited in hushed anticipation, eyes focused on him.

Lowering his arms and looking at various band sections, musicians responded in kind ... and it was magic.
If Wednesday’s practice is an indication of the melodious stylings the UTM marching band has in store for us on game day, then we are all in for a treat.

The band sounded like absolute perfection, making it obvious to passers-by that going to the football games are worthwhile—the game is an added bonus.

The director paused, then said, “I want to take this a bit faster than the music requires.”

The band responded in kind and it was as if they had been playing together forever, showing that all of the laborious practices they endured over the years had indeed paid off.

Amaral and his band staff used humor to communicate what they wanted from the musicians, and the response was respect and a longing to “do it right.”

The practice described above was one of the many sessions in band camp during the course of the past week that began last Friday.

The first to arrive this week was leadership to learn about the upcoming year. Freshmen were brought in on Saturday to ease the transition into college life, to make a connection, to have a first rehearsal and to feel relaxed before meeting upperclassmen. Upperclassmen were brought in Sunday.

“We have a great group of students,” Amaral said in a recent interview. “ I am very happy about the progress they have made.”

When asked of his future plans with the band, Amaral said, “I am interested in traveling with the band so people can see what we do and how well we do it.”

Then Amaral added, “I would love to see this band play at a Titans game next year as well.”

Amaral comes to UTM from southern Colorado, where he was teaching college last year.

When field commanderes Megan Hannah and Alicia Booker, both UTM students, were asked about their experience of working with the Skyhawk Marching Band, Hannah quickly replied, “It has been a fabulous experience as of yet.”

And Booker said, “It has been a great learning experience.” Both Field Commanders are the primary conductors during the halftime show and, according to Amaral, are a “tremendous help.”

The Skyhawk Marching Band plays not only at football games, but also at exhibitions, including the Skyhawk Marching Invitational and Exhibition, WTSBOA Exhibition in Jackson, tentative exhibition at Cordova High School and another tentative exhibition at Goodpasture High School.

The UTM Marching Band serves and supports the music programs within Tennessee and is host to the UTM Honor Band Symposium and the Skyhawk Invitational Marching Band Festival, according to their Web site.

Band members are also afforded the opportunity to perform within other UTM music groups and ensembles as well, including not only the Skyhawk marching band, but the Mid-Court Players and basketball band.

Scholarships are also available for band members as well, selected upon “promise of outstanding musical performance and colorguard skills.”

Please come out and show your support for the Skyhawk Marching Band. After all, football games are not just for sport.