BU Band Enhances Football Games

Football is not all that is going on at Mitchell Stadium on game day. The Bluefield University (BU) Ram Band works non-stop all year long, especially during the marching season, to make sure they add to the game day experience.

The BU Ram Band plays at every home football game, starting the game with the “Star Spangled Banner. Afterward, they form a tunnel for the football players to run through onto the field while playing the fight song loud and proud.

The band is directed by Dr. Andrew Necessary, assistant professor of music, and the drum major is Meghan Woody who is a graduating senior. Other seniors are trombonist Tim Gasperson and color guard Morgan Haskins.

The BU band is surprisingly small; however, they make up for their size with volume and skill. Wayne Pelts, assistant director of the Academic Center for Excellence, said, “If you closed your eyes and just listened to their performance, you would expect a much larger group.”

In the stands during the game, Ram Band can be seen dancing, cheering, and playing many tunes when they can.

“During the football games, their energy and exuberance is great,” Pelts said.

The band is working hard to keep the crowd and team hyped and in good spirits during the game, often playing popular tunes such as “Seven Nation Army” by John Anthony White and arranged by Dallas C. Burke and “Mr. Blue Sky” arranged by Matt Conaway with words and music by Jeff Lynne and percussion arrangement by Jack Holt. They also play a variety of other songs that are fun and upbeat.

The began preparation for the fall 2022 season during the summer and have been consistently working three days a week. The band’s field show this year consists of the songs “Bird Land” by Josef Zawinul, arranged by Tom Wallace and percussion by Tony McCutchen; “Late in The Evening,” arranged by Jay Dawson with words and Music by Paul Simon and percussion by Chris Crockarell; “Disco Inferno” by Leroy Green and Ron “Have Mercy” Kersey, arranged by Tom Wallace and percussion by Tony McCutchen; “You Dropped a Bomb on Me” by Charlie Wilson, Lonnie Simmons and Rudy Taylor, arranged by Tom Wallace; and “25 or 6 to 4,” arranged by Pual Murtha with words and music by Robert Lamm. The band strives to have a fun and high energy show.

“BU football games would be a lot different without our great, talented marching band,” Pelts said.

Photos by Rampage student photographer Nathan LePere.