Ahead of the Michigan vs. Michigan State rivalry football game in October, Malow Junior High 8th and 9th grade band students experienced both collegiate marching band programs for themselves.  

The students first visited the University of Michigan, performing a small concert at the historic Revelli Hall. Students received feedback and musical pedagogy from conducting PhD students, second year undergraduate students and professors. Malow students also received a historical Michigan Marching Band tour from the program’s director, John Pasquale, toured facilities including the Michigan Stadium and explored campus life.  

The band students then traveled to Michigan State University to visit the Spartan Marching Band and receive a tour of historical sites relevant to the band and the football team, experience life on campus, and see the State Capitol in Lansing.  

“We have great music programs at UCS,” said Jacob Steinberger, Malow’s director of bands and theatre. “Our students received numerous compliments throughout their day on their musicianship, behavior, responsiveness, and overall respect towards each other.” 

This collegiate experience helped the students in numerous ways, including with technical and pedagogical advancements on their instruments, peer-to-peer relationship building, public speaking and instructional practice. Furthermore, it illustrated how bringing music to the community is equally as important as asking the community to come watch their performances.