By Jake Meikel
Face the crowd, stand at ease and let the show begin. The Golden Griffon Marching Band is comprised of roughly 121 students and they are assembled to entertain.
Their best shows take place during the fall at Western football games. While some may think that it doesn’t take much to get this group prepared for Saturdays, think again.
Prior to the fall sports season, the marching band camp calls for 12-hour days of intense practice for an entire week. This kind of training conditions these students and establishes a good work ethic.
According to Director of Athletic Bands, Dr. Nathan Gay, the band buys into the notion that this practice pays dividends. “These students find ways to juggle work schedules, class schedules and other performances and recitals and concerts and make everything work. So, it’s really a high-functioning group of students,” Gay said.
This collection of musicians share a bond that is unmatched. “Whenever I see them in the hallways, they’re usually clustered together in their section, so there’s a lot of good comradery,” Gay said. Frequently, the GGMB will venture off campus to take their talents outside of Missouri Western.
What’s even more encouraging is that the total number of members has increased from 88 in 2016 to 121 this year. The buzz surrounding the program will get more students involved as years progress. For now, this group is poised to captivate audiences on any stage.