By: Emilie Jenson

Public Information Coordinator

At collegiate sporting events, many elements help create the gameday atmosphere: tailgate parties, the enthusiasm of the crowd, the cheers, the dancers, and the music.

At Iowa Central, the Triton Marching Band takes the musical element up a notch, creating an atmosphere unlike that of many community colleges and brings the same excitement and energy to Dodger Stadium that can be experienced at any Division I football game on a Saturday afternoon.

Along with playing the National anthem in the pre-game and the fight song, "Tritons Fight On" in post-touchdown celebration, the Triton Marching band also plays short tunes during time outs, reviews and between plays to engage the crowd in the stands and serves as the half-time entertainment alongside the Iowa Central Dance Team.

"These are the same things you'd see at Iowa or Iowa State, we want students who come to Iowa Central to be able to have the same experiences here that they would have at a university," said Jeremy Smith, director of athletic bands.

The 2023 season began in mid-August with a four-day band camp where members came together as an ensemble, learned the music, and rehearsed drills and experienced the first of many teambuilding activities with cake day, a scavenger hunt and cosmic bowling.

This year's performances featured the themes of "Pop Divas", highlighting the music of Miley Cyrus, Meghan Trainor and Camila Cabello in September and "Music of the Year 2023" which included tunes by Smashmouth, Taylor Swift and Jimmy Buffet, who all made the headlines this year, for October and November performances.

The marching band performed at all five home football games and also took their show on the road, marching in the Carroll Band Day parade, and performing field exhibitions in Carroll and at Sioux City's Starfest on September 30.

October 11 was Triton Marching Band's annual run-out day where they traveled across northwest Iowa performing for aspiring student musicians at Alta-Aurelia High School, Cherokee High School, Ridgeview High School in Holstein, MVAO-COU Middle School in Anthon and OA-BCIG High School in Ida Grove.

The final performance of 2023 was at the Game One Bowl at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, which was a memorable experience for the Triton Marching Band.

"The bowl game in the UNI Dome was an incredible experience," said freshman Olivia Eckert. "It was a lot of fun to be part of the gameday atmosphere that created the energy, and the dome was unlike any experience I have had before; when we played it echoed and felt like thunder."

Eckert said she also appreciates the opportunity and flexibility afforded to her at Iowa Central to be both a musician in the band and a student-athlete on the women's golf team.

"I wanted to be able to participate in band and golf and at Iowa Central I am able to do that and be part of two great programs," she said.

Corrina King, a freshman from Britt, also said she enjoys being part of an experience that can often only be found at larger schools.

"I love the feeling of a big school game atmosphere that we create," said King. "And performing at Carroll and Sioux City and seeing the crowd reactions as we marched was a memorable experience."

Sophomore Angel Jose embraced new experiences as part of the Triton Marching Band. As a small-school high school athlete in Manly, Iowa, Jose was often on the field or the court which limited the opportunities he had to perform with his high school band.

"I played football and basketball in high school, so I came without a lot of performance experience," said Jose. "Marching band took me outside of my comfort zone. It has been a whole new experience for me;
I enjoy the atmosphere and experience we create; the band is a really important part of the entertainment and enhances the tone of the game as well."

While the 2023 portion of the Triton Marching Band season has come to a close, they will return for one more performance in the spring to march in the 2024 Tulip Time lighted parade in Pella on May 2.