October 13, 2011

Jazz and celebration will echo in Tucker Stadium at halftime Saturday

Saturday night's football game will be a huge test for the No. 19 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, and for the fans in the stands there's an extra bonus as the TTU and Tennessee State bands will each perform exciting halftime shows.

Tickets for Saturday's game -- and halftime show -- still on sale

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Saturday night's football game will be a huge test for the No. 19 Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, and for the fans in the stands there's an extra bonus as the Tech and Tennessee State marching bands will each perform exciting halftime shows. Kickoff for the contest is at 7 p.m., with the Magic 98.5 Tailgate Park opening at 4 p.m.

"Everything is in place for an absolutely fantastic night of college football in Tucker Stadium," said TTU Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. "The color and pagentry surrounding the night, the two marching bands, and the game is extremely important in the race for the Ohio Valley Conference championship and the Sgt. York Trophy.

"It should make for an extremely memorable night for our fans," Wilson said.

The night is also Scout Night, with area scouts invited as guests of Tech. All scouts will be admitted to the game free if wearing a Scout unoiform or by showing a Scout ID. In addition, scouts can purchase tickets for their family members for one dollar each.

The Tennessee State band, known as "The Aristocrat of Bands" will peform first at halftime, playing a nine-minute show in tribute to the Nashville school's 100th anniversary, according to Assoicate Director of Bands Dr. Reginald McDonald. The TSU show will feature a giant "T" formation moving downfield while the band plays "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind and Fire. The second song, "Secret Rendezvous" will feature the TSU dance team, The Sophisticated Ladies.

The TSU show will continue with a segment of dance songs, followed by a tribute to the school's 100th birthday with "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang. The TSU part of halftime will conclude with the band forming a script "TSU" and playing "Family Matters."

As soon as the TSU band clears the field, Dr. Eric L. Harris will lead the Golden Eagle Marching Band onto the field for its nine-minute performance. Tech's show will be a "Gangsta Jazz" program that is "a salute to Zoot Suits and Swingers of the 1920s when gangsta's ruled the land," according to Harris.

The Tech show will feature brass licks and swing and woodwind riffs plus two percussion features, Harris said. The show is a set of custom charts, with an added visual ensemble with 12 color guard members who perform choreography and do flag work with the band.

"Our show features improvised trumpet and trombone solos, and it's one of the most exciting and dynamic packages to hit the field in the history of the Tennessee Tech Marching Band," Harris said.

Tickets for the game are on sale at the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center Friday, while the ticket windows at Tucker Stadium will open Saturday at 6 p.m. Tickets may also be ordered by calling (931) 372-3490.