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Thursday, March 28, 2024
The independent student publication of The University at Buffalo, since 1950

The sound of Thunder

In the football team's season opener, junior wide receiver Ed Young caught a perfectly thrown ball in the end zone for the Bulls' first touchdown of the season.

The marching band's drumline erupted to the sound of the crowd's excitement. The brass and woodwind sections joined in to provide the ideal soundtrack to the Bulls' 31-0 victory over Rhode Island.

Buffalo's marching band, the Thunder of the East, is present at all of the home football games. They provide the musical backdrop to all of the Bulls' triumphs and defeats.

The first band at UB was formed by a group of students in 1920. It was primarily managed by students – with minor success – until high school band director John Krestic agreed to take charge in 1950.

The band grew until it disbanded in 1962, when the University at Buffalo joined the SUNY system. After 37 years, the band returned as the Thunder of the East when the football team moved up to the Division I-A level in 1999.

When current director James Mauck took command, there were only 37 musicians.

After a few years under Mauck, the Thunder of the East grew to the 160 members it has today, and it remains one of the only collegiate level bands in New York State.

"It was the dedication of the students [that helped the team to grow]," Mauck said. "We were also consistent in putting everything we had into great performances."

The Thunder of the East has been put to extensive use since its inception. The band has been invited to perform at exhibitions, high school football games and high school competitions, and is always met with a positive reaction.

"[The reaction] has always been wonderful," Mauck said. "I have a stack of positive e-mails commenting on how well the band was performing and the energy and style of music from this semester alone."

The marching band incorporates a unique "drum corps" style of performance. The style favors precision in the brass and drumming sections in contrast to the popular showy performances of the south.

"[Drum corps] is not quite militaristic," said Stephen Stauffer, a senior chemistry major. "But they are very precise… and so it's a very heavy feel. Mr. Mauck is a big fan of drum corps and he tries to style himself after the Blue Devils [a world class band]… and we want to kind of be like them."

This precise style of performance requires a lot of dedication from the band members. Their preparation started on Aug. 21, when the musicians moved into their homes for the semester.

According to Kevin Robert Jones, a freshman biochemistry and computer science major, the band practiced two four-hour sessions per day during the weeklong camp. During the sessions, the band members went through long hours of rehearsal to perfect their craft.

"I got here a week [before other freshmen] for band camp," Jones said. "It was brutal, but afterwards it was really fun."

After the camp concluded, the team started to practice three nights a week at Walter Kuntz Field. There, the band works to maintain their reputation under strict supervision.

"[Mauck] is harsh at times," Jones said. "But it's just so he can make us better."

The practice prepares them for wherever they are invited to perform.

Last Saturday, for example, the Thunder of the East was invited to play at the 101st game between the Tonawanda and North Tonawanda high schools. Their performance at halftime was well-received.

Despite the strong outside praise, the Thunder of the East is primarily the Bulls' home marching band. Students are treated to the band's music at every home football match.

"I think [the marching band] is good," said Ruth Freier, a senior English major. "I like all the patterns they do while they are playing."

However, the band is often overshadowed by the football team. A number of students don't pay attention to the band's efforts.

"They're not the main focus of the games," said Peter Kuchera, a freshman engineering major. "That's probably why they aren't too recognized."

Still, the band maintains that its primary goal isn't stardom. Band members only want to please the crowd with strong performances.

"[The goal] is to have fun first of all and to pump everybody else up," said Danielle Rowe, a sophomore engineering major. "We also want to get everybody excited and involved in the game."

E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com


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