Laurie McCauley Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Laurie McCauley Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
The University of Michigan Marching Band collaborated with the School of Music, Theatre & Dance Department of Musical Theatre and Percussion Studio to perform selections from “Wicked” during halftime at the U-M vs. Central Michigan University football game. The show was held in recognition of the upcoming release of “Wicked: For Good,” and featured songs such as “No One Mourns the Wicked,” “Popular,” “Dancing Through Life,” and “Defying Gravity.”
John Pasquale, director of Michigan Marching & Athletic Bands, described the band’s approach: “The Michigan Marching Band reflects and honors the evolving landscape of American culture. In doing so, we not only entertain our audiences but also spark conversations around music’s ongoing role in shaping and representing our shared cultural identity.”
Pasquale added that he views the marching band as “a cultural bridge that connects time-honored collegiate traditions with the energy and innovation of modern pop culture,” referencing previous performances that included tributes to Beyoncé, Game of Thrones, Hans Zimmer, Lizzo, James Bond, and New Orleans jazz alongside Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
The band comprises 371 students from Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses. This marks their third collaboration with the Department of Musical Theatre for a halftime performance; prior collaborations took place during games against Penn State in 2016 (“Broadway”) and UConn in 2022 (“Places Where We Sing”).
“The opportunity to collaborate with students from the Musical Theatre Department, as well as our outstanding Percussion Studio, is truly extraordinary—their talent is simply unparalleled,” Pasquale said. “Showcasing such exceptional artistry on the field, in the largest football stadium in the U.S., underscores the central role that the arts play on our campus.”
U-M junior Zee Happonen performed as one of the soloists voicing Elphaba. Happonen said about working with fellow students: “They are so precise and never miss a beat—always on top of things. Nothing is more magical than when artists come together and share what they love. Personally, that’s the feeling I get when performing with the band: We’re creating music, magic and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for ourselves and for everyone watching.”
This event followed a September 2023 halftime performance by the band featuring “Defying Gravity” ahead of an earlier film release.
More videos from recent performances can be found on the Michigan Marching Band YouTube channel.
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