2008 Woodie Awards
SRU Marching Pride uses music to increase crowd enthusiam
By Amber Wilhelm
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Focus
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The video shows marching band members, the drum line, the Rocklette dancers and the color guard marching and dancing in unison in the middle of N. Kerr Thompson Stadium.
The purpose of watching the video is to understand what they need to work on for the coming week's halftime show.
James Berry, an assistant professor in the music department and the director of SRU's Marching Pride, said that being a member of Marching Pride "takes a lot of dedication."
Berry, who has worked at SRU for 13 years, said being a part of the Marching Pride is a very time-consuming activity.
"You have to really want to do it," Berry said.
After the video, everyone moves outside to the Blase S. Scarnati Marching Band Field for the two-hour practice.
Though the Marching Pride practices Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., all of the sections have extra practice times as well.
Tina Miller, 20, is the captain of the Rocklettes, the Marching Pride's dancers.
"On average, we practice an extra one to two hours a week to touch everything up," Miller said.
Even though they don't have that many members, the Rocklettes must be dedicated.
"There are 10 of us this year," Miller said, "and we (dance) at all the home games and any away games that are not overnight trips."
Kari Deichler, 20, is a junior and has been a Rocklette for two years.
"I look forward to every single Saturday," Deichler said.
Miller agreed that many of the members get excited for the games.
"We get so pumped for Saturdays," Miller said. "This week's game against IUP is going to be crazy."
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