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The Eastern Kentucky University Marching Colonels (Pride of Kentucky) is an ensemble group of over 100 students from all majors across campus led by Dr. Timothy Wiggins (Director of Athletic Bands) and Anna French (Assistant Director of Athletic Bands) that has provided support at all EKU home football games since the 1930s. The group also encompasses the visual teams of the color guard, maroonettes, and feature twirlers. The Marching Colonels have been housed in the Foster Music Building since 1950.
History
The band was first formed in 1929 as the “Marching Maroons” and has had a tradition of excellence ever since. In 1961 Vice-president Lyndon B. Johnson said, “It was never more evident to me that music hath charms than when I listened to your wonderful band at Richmond” In 1964 the national baton-twirling champion Mary Jo Holl, was a member of the EKU majorettes and drew in crowds with her fire twirling. And in 1971 the marching band introduced the “Maroon Flag Squad” for the first time, which would go on to be known as the EKU Color Guard. The “Flag Squad” originally consisted of 11 women who were selected through competitive auditions, but now has over 30 members.
The group was almost cut in 2018 by the board of Regents due to a lack of funding. However, after community support and fundraising done by EKU School of Music staff, then-president of EKU Michael T. Benson was able to redistribute funds in order to save the band. Dr. Wiggins stated that it was not about the money but about getting the university to support the program.
Performances
Since the Marching Colonels’ formation, the band has provided support at EKU football games through their pre-game and halftime performances. At a game in 1931, the band made up the entire student section, but was so loud they even impressed the rival team. In 1949, the marching band was invited to play at the Moutain Laurel Festival in Pineville, leading a parade and providing a concert conducted by composer and EKU alumnus Cecil Karrick. The marching band half-time show generally consists of popular music that the audience will know, and sometimes even props. In 2000, director Steve White created a show around songs by The Beach Boys, which included beach balls, hula hoops, and sunglasses for the band. Recent performances have included songs by popular artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, and The Jonas Brothers.
Practices
Band members attend a one-week band camp before the beginning of every fall semester, and work from 8 AM to 8 PM to prepare for the upcoming season. This hard work pays off for the band when they get the chance to perform underneath the stadium lights to the cheers of the crowd.
Supporting High School Students
Every year, the Marching Colonels also host “Marching Colonel for a Day” allowing high school students from all over the state to join them for their halftime performance. This tradition dates back to 1961 when it was known as “Band Day” and was the largest such program in the state. The program was originally introduced by band director Dr. Nicholas Koenigstein.
References edit
Amy Marksberry, “Eastern Marching Band Has New Director,” The Eastern Progress, Sep. 7, 2000, Digital Collections File #104800, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives
“Band Attends Laurel Fete” The Eastern Progress, May 27, 1949, Digital Collections File #102394, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives
“Band Day Success Goes On,” The Eastern Progress, Oct. 18, 1963, Digital Collections File #102161, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives
Don Coffey, “Vice-President Johnson Praises Marching Maroons of Eastern,” The Eastern Progress, Oct. 20, 1962, Eastern Kentucky University Vertical Files, 1906-Present, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives
Don Lowe “Band Camp was Worth Nastiness” The Eastern Progress, Feb. 21, 1985, Digital Collections File #103522, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives
“Eastern’s Band Inspires Teams” The Eastern Progress, Nov. 6, 1931, Digital Collections File #101802, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives
“Fundraising for Marching Band’s Survival,” The Eastern Progress, Aug. 16, 2018, https://www.easternprogress.com/news/fundraising-for-marching-band-s-survival/article_05182100-9b2d-11e8-8a7b-7f2ded7fd5cc.html
“High School Musicians Celebrate 11th Band Day” The Eastern Progress, Sep. 30, 1971, Digital Collections File #101902, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives
Jamie Lee Cortese, “Eastern Kentucky University Resurrects Band” Halftime Magazine, Oct. 5, 2018, https://halftimemag.com/september-october-2018/noteworthy_eku.html
Kaitlyn Brooks, “Thurby Day for the Colonels,” The Richmond Register, Apr. 30, 2019, https://www.richmondregister.com/news/lifestyles/thurby-day-for-the-colonels/article_c0a07e09-d017-5cc3-836f-153a46fabaa7.html
Kelly Vance, “Marching Musicians Deserve Attention,” The Eastern Progress, Oct. 31, 1991, Digital Collections File #103723, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives
“Majorette, Mary Jo Holl Will Lead 4,000 Tomorrow,” The Eastern Progress, Oct. 16, 1964, Digital Collections File #102126, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives
“Marching Colonels” Eastern Kentucky University Bands, https://www.eku.edu/bands/marching-colonels/
“Minutes of Meeting of the Board of Regents,” Feb. 11, 1929, Digital Collections File #97663, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives
“Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Regents,” Nov. 18, 1950, Digital Collections File #97866, Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives