188 MTSU BAND OF BLUE WILL MARCH TO MICHIGAN FOR DEC. 25 GAME

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 8, 2006
CONTACT: Tim Musselman, 615-898-2493

260 Members Sign on to Participate in Motor City Bowl Performance

(MURFREESBORO)—The MTSU Band of Blue will travel to Detroit, Mich., on Dec. 25 to perform in the half-time show and in the stands at the Motor City Bowl game, where the MTSU Blue Raider football team will face the Central Michigan Chippewas.
“I am extremely proud and excited to be taking the Band of Blue on this history-making trip to the Motor City Bowl,” said Craig Cornish, associate director of bands.
"I am equally proud to note that 260 members of the band are sacrificing part of their holiday to perform this service for the university and community," Cornish added. "It is a great testament to the kind of students we have in our band and university."
The band’s players have worked to customize their half-time show performance, which will feature 260 members instead of 305 players, the number of musicians who marched during the fall semester.
“We think that (these numbers) signals very high morale in the ensemble,” said Dr. George Riordan, director of the McLean School of Music. “(It) is a testament to the great support that they receive throughout the University and with the alumni.”
Members of the band who will participate in the Dec. 25 game performance are excited about traveling and the opportunity to be a part of this special game. And at least one student said she plans to maintain the holiday spirit while on the road.
“We’re planning on decorating the bus to keep us in happy holiday spirits,” said Katie Helms, a member of the Band of Blue.
“This will be a great experience for our students, for our supporters, and for those attending the game,” Riordan said.
For more information on this and other events in the McLean School of Music, please call 615-898-2493 or visit the calendar of events at www.mtsumusic.com.



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