Meet the Marching Owls

Archives

December 17, 2007

It’s 8:30 in the morning and 65 tired, dedicated band members are stepping off a bus and onto the football field. After traveling five hours to get to an away game, the FAU Marching Owls are exhausted but they know they have work to do. This routine is not new to the upbeat Marching Owls who practice four to five days a week. Under the direction of Dr. Sean Murray, the FAU marching band has been drawing more attention to themselves, especially at football games.

“Dr. Murray has been a breath of fresh air,” says sophomore clarinetist Michelle Bradford. “He makes practices fun.”

Appointed in 2005, Murray has brought his experience from Florida State University (FSU), where he was part of the band and eventually received his undergrad, masters and doctoral degrees, to rebuild FAU’s Marching Owls’ reputation – which had been on the rocks since the band’s hiatus in 2004.

After being appointed, Murray told the Palm Beach Post in an April 2005 article that his goal was to “put a face on the university as the football program grows and have something the school can really be proud of.”

According to Bradford, a criminal justice major, Murray’s been doing just that.

The Marching Owls began their journey in 2002, wearing khaki pants, Hawaiian shirts and straw hats bearing the FAU emblem. The $50 uniforms symbolized the beginning of their growth. Now, five years later (four if you exclude the one year break), the Marching Owls are equipped with a more professional looking uniform. This one, Murray says, costs about $500 a piece.

With a growing budget, FAU’s Marching Owls are growing in dedication, as well.

Working with George Sparks, FAU’s school of arts director, Murray has combined his FSU style with Sparks’ University of Michigan style to add entertainment to the halftime shows. Playing tunes from artists like Jimi Hendrix and Earth, Wind & Fire, Murray says his favorite performance was during the Homecoming Game where the Marching Owls played “Warehouse” and “Ants Marching” from the Dave Matthews Band. (Check out the video below to see the Marching Owls in action).

Bradford’s favorite moments were playing popular 70’s song “Cat, Scratch, Fever” by Ted Nugent and “What is Hip” by Tower of Power. But her favorite part about being in the band is the friendships and memories she’s making.

The 20-year-old sophomore, who was the only clarinet player during band camp and the first game this season (now there’s two), regrets not joining the band her freshman year. “I was afraid of being too overwhelmed my first year,” Bradford says.

Murray, along with Dr. Kyle Prescott, director of the bands, conducted FAU’s first annual Band Festival this year, where high school students performed in front of three judges and received evaluations on their performances.

“This allowed potential students to learn more about FAU and gave us a chance to recruit members,” said Murray. “We [the band] have improved so much this year, we are more disciplined, thanks to Dr. Murray.”

The Band Festival, which drew 14 high school bands last year, will help Murray reach his ultimate goal of building numbers in the band, playing at higher levels, and preparing for the highly publicized stadium set to open in 2010.

Along with the membership growth, the growing support for the band and the football team has made a difference in the Marching Owl’s success.

“It’s amazing how much Owl Spirit has increased this year,” Murray says, noting how important fan support is to the team and the band.

Cheerleaders and football players aren’t the only reason FAU supporters attend games. It’s the adrenaline rush from the Marching Owls that keeps us marching to the beat of their drums.