Eastern Michigan Athletics

EMU Marching Band Plans to Amplify Community Voices With This Weekend's Halftime Show
9/21/2022 4:23:00 PM | Football, General
The show, entitled “Take Me To Church,” will take place at Rynearson Stadium
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMICH.edu) – On Saturday, Sept. 24, the EMU Marching Band will collaborate with the EMU Gospel Choir, the EMU Choir, the Wayne State University Choir, and local vocalists to present a gospel music halftime show. The show, entitled "Take Me To Church," will take place at Rynearson Stadium during halftime of the EMU Eagles versus Buffalo Bulls football game.
Game time for the Sept. 24 game is schedule for 12 p.m. on CBS Sports Network and WEMU (89.1 FM)
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Attendees will hear several classic gospel tunes including "You Are Good," "I Need You to Survive," "I've Got the Victory," and an acapella rendition of "Amazing Grace."
"In Detroit and Ypsilanti, gospel music has a very strong presence," said J. Nick Smith, EMU associate director of bands and director of athletic bands. "Regardless of one's connection to the words or tunes, I find the music to be very impactful. So, in our goal of offering a variety of genres of music during our halftime shows we are going to take full advantage of celebrating, as organically as possible, music from our own community—and, it's going to be incredible."
"What viewers will see is not a performance; it is an active rehearsal;" said Smith. "It'll be good for people who are curious about how this all happens and what the band does to bring the show together."
Student drum major Amara Booker is looking forward to the opportunity to put on this show.
"As a student, there's a lot of work that goes into putting together each of our halftime shows," said Booker. "Opportunities like this, which allow us to collaborate with the community around us and put out a great product for everyone to enjoy, are what makes it so rewarding."
The EMU Marching Band has a long tradition of musical and entertainment excellence. "The Pride of the Peninsula," made up of more than 150 students representing nearly every major on campus, boasts a rich, 128-year history of serving Eastern at athletic functions, parades, and events. For more information on The Pride of the Peninsula, visit the band's website emumb.org.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 15,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.
Game time for the Sept. 24 game is schedule for 12 p.m. on CBS Sports Network and WEMU (89.1 FM)
.
Attendees will hear several classic gospel tunes including "You Are Good," "I Need You to Survive," "I've Got the Victory," and an acapella rendition of "Amazing Grace."
"In Detroit and Ypsilanti, gospel music has a very strong presence," said J. Nick Smith, EMU associate director of bands and director of athletic bands. "Regardless of one's connection to the words or tunes, I find the music to be very impactful. So, in our goal of offering a variety of genres of music during our halftime shows we are going to take full advantage of celebrating, as organically as possible, music from our own community—and, it's going to be incredible."
"What viewers will see is not a performance; it is an active rehearsal;" said Smith. "It'll be good for people who are curious about how this all happens and what the band does to bring the show together."
Student drum major Amara Booker is looking forward to the opportunity to put on this show.
"As a student, there's a lot of work that goes into putting together each of our halftime shows," said Booker. "Opportunities like this, which allow us to collaborate with the community around us and put out a great product for everyone to enjoy, are what makes it so rewarding."
The EMU Marching Band has a long tradition of musical and entertainment excellence. "The Pride of the Peninsula," made up of more than 150 students representing nearly every major on campus, boasts a rich, 128-year history of serving Eastern at athletic functions, parades, and events. For more information on The Pride of the Peninsula, visit the band's website emumb.org.
About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 15,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.
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