In the fall, when you hear the Kent State Marching Golden Flashes practicing, does it sound like it’s getting louder? It is. The band and the programs are growing.
The growth of the university’s marching band comes from a number of factors, including community outreach, social media strategy and creating a welcoming space for diverse audiences and majors.
Sarah Labovitz, D.M.A., director of the Hugh A. Glauser School of Music, says proactively reaching out to high schools has helped the band.
Each year, prospective high school students are invited to participate in Band Day, where they can participate in the half-time performance with the Marching Golden Flashes.
“It gives students a sneak peek into what college marching band could be like,” Labovitz told Kent State Today. “You might have a competition band, or a parade band and they would serve one type of function or a couple types of functions for their school. But in college, the band exists to support and represent our Kent State community.”
Darin Olson, D.M.A., director of athletic bands and associate director of bands, has helped nearly double the size of the band program at Kent State.
In 2019, right before Olson joined the program, the marching band consisted of approximately 100 members; the program now sits at 265 members. Recruitment through student invitations and social media outreach has stimulated growth in the marching band’s numbers. Plus, the brand-new practice facility beside the ice arena helps, too.
The Center for Performing Arts did not have a facility large enough to hold the entire marching band or to rehearse safely with respect to decibel levels. Now, with this indoor facility, the weather is no longer a barrier to students practicing either.
“I think the Marching Golden Flashes are one of the most visible student organizations as well,” said Olson. “So having a facility that meets the needs of such a highly visible, highly involved organization enhances the experience of the students who participate in but ultimately helps us attract more students to Kent State.”
The new facility provides a better experience for current and prospective students.
“When we’re bringing recruits onto campus and when students are coming here for the various recruiting activities, it certainly is a feather in our cap to show them what they mean as members of our organization,” Olson said. “They get a glimpse of what their experience is going to be like here as a student-musician.”
Social media is another channel for potential Marching Golden Flashes to get a glimpse at the program. For prospective students, Olson has maintained a presence on YouTube to connect with the high school demographic.
Amazingly, only 20% of the marching band is part of the music program – and this was a clear strategy.
The band’s outreach has expanded into welcoming all students, not just those who major in music. Music is a passion many people have, but being a Marching Golden Flash is a privilege.
“So, while we are out there supporting the athletic teams to represent the university, to be a Marching Golden Flash is taking that level of enthusiasm, excitement and pride in what you do as a musician within the marching band and applying it to whatever you want to do going forward,” Olson said.
Looking ahead, he hopes to promote music using his students and the university as the driving force.
“I want to get as many people involved in it as we possibly can,” Olson said. “And I want to continue to raise the visibility and continue to push the organization as far forward as we can so that when we are promoting 鶹ý, we’re screaming the art form of the marching band from the rooftops.”
Learn more about the Kent State Marching Golden Flashes.
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