With thousands of Tar Heel fans ready to “hark the sound” during UNC’s first football game of the season, there’s one group on campus you won’t be able to miss at Kenan Stadium this Saturday.
The UNC Marching Band is gearing up to play at the Florida A&M game, but this marks a special return for the group as they team up with the opposition’s band to celebrate music.
The Marching Tar Heels will not only be collaborating with Florida A&M’s band during the pregame show, but also for a special halftime performance.
The Florida A&M Marching 100 will perform in front of Wilson Library at 6 p.m. on Saturday, according to UNC Band Director Jeff Fuchs. UNC’s drumline will perform at 6:30 p.m. in the Pit with the band to follow.
The UNC Drumline poses while at the 2022 Marching Band Camp.
The FAMU Marching 100 will perform both with the Marching Tar Heels and on their own Saturday night. (Photo via Florida A&M University.)
Fuchs said the two bands will work together throughout the day and both will be a visible part of game day.
“It’s more of celebrating what ties us together — and that’s being in the band. We may do it a little bit differently, but we do band,” Fuchs said. “That’s been the fun part of preparing for this weekend.”
While the collaboration with Florida A&M presents a unique performance, Fuchs said the marching band has endured several unusual seasons because of COVID-19.
The long-time band director noted this fall will mark the first “normal” season for the group since the start of the pandemic.
“The first time COVID hit we were sent home, so we had no band,” Fuchs said. “Last year, we wore protective gear, we wore face masks, we had bell covers on, we stayed isolated, didn’t take too many trips because of it, didn’t eat or drink on the buses. And it worked.”
Fuchs said, this year, the band is not taking precautions against COVID other than following university requirements, which states masks are required on transit.
Fuchs added he believes his students are relieved to be back to normal, although there are still concerns with exposure to COVID.
“But I think for the most part, they’re happy to have normalcy with heightened awareness, I would call it,” Fuchs said.
Fuchs said he is excited for the group’s upcoming performances this year, especially since every game has a special meaning.
“The September 24 game we’ll be performing with the Soul Rebels, which is a New Orleans-style jazz band fused with hip hop and pop music,” Fuchs said. “Carolina Performing Arts is helping tremendously with that collaboration. We’ve got our alumni coming back. We’ve got a high school honor band and we will recognize our seniors. So there’s a lot of special performances.”
To keep up with the Marching Tar Heels, follow their Instagram and Twitter accounts or listen to them at the game on Saturday.
Carolina Football kicks off against Florida A&M at 8 p.m.
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