VIRTUAL GAME DAYS
PERFORMANCES BY THE 140th EDITION OF THE HAWKEYE MARCHING BAND
Virtual Halftime - November 7, 2020
Our Tribute to American Heroes honors the centennial of the 19th Amendment, the 55th anniversary of the voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, and the tireless work and sacrifice of those working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virtual Halftime - October 31, 2020
Our first Virtual Halftime of 2020 features music by female Grammy winners Adele, Lizzo, and Billie Eilish! All of the music in today's show was arranged by our graduate teaching assistants: Josh Neuenschwander, Nick Miller, and JT Womack.
Virtual Game Day No. 2 - The Series
This week's Virtual Game Day features "The Series!"
Under the direction of the band’s seventh director, Tom Davis, the Hawkeye Drumline began performing a set of drum cadences that came to be known as The Series. Generations of marching Hawkeyes have passed down traditions in their sections, featuring marching maneuvers, cheers, and chants. Each section is unique in their performance of The Series, and we’re excited to share it with you today!
The Series
Virtual Game Day No. 1 - Pregame + Rec Building Performances
This week's Virtual Game Day features music from our historic Pregame show, and a compilation of fan favorites from our traditional game day performances in the Rec Building across from Kinnick Stadium! Go Hawks!
Part I - Pregame
Part II - Rec Building Performance Selections
It's still time...
...to get ready for The Boom! During the week of August 17, 2020, 260 marching Hawkeyes returned to campus for Band Camp. We spent six months preparing for a marching band season that prioritizes student health + safety above all. Our plan is based on guidance from public health experts, the latest research on aerosols and wind instruments, and the guidelines set by the University of Iowa. Our protocols, policies, and procedures for the 2020-21 Hawkeye Marching Band season were developed in partnership with the School of Music and Iowa Athletics, with support from epidemiologist and UI College of Public Health faculty member Dr. Kirk Phillips, who also serves as our HMB Alumni Advisory Board president.
During the 2020 season, this page will serve as the home for Virtual Game Days, where the HMB will present performances throughout the fall semester featuring pregame and halftime music, as well as other HMB traditions like Hey Jude, The Series, Victory Polka, and Alma Mater Iowa, among others.
Band 140
WHAT SAFETY MEASURES ARE IN PLACE IN THE HMB PRACTICE FACILITY AND OUTDOOR FIELDS?
The Hawkeye Marching Band is following all COVID-19 safety protocols in place by the University of Iowa. These include mandatory use of PPE (including face masks at all times), social distancing guidelines, frequent cleaning and sanitization of shared spaces, availability of cleaning and sanitization materials, and building de-densification through reduced capacity.
WILL PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT BE PROVIDED?
All HMB students and staff will be provided with 2 fabric masks with offset slits to accommodate mouthpieces for maximum coverage, 1 fabric mask without slits, and a thermometer. Additionally, all university students, faculty, and staff will be provided with 2 more reusable fabric masks, 2 disposable masks, a face shield, and hand sanitizer. All wind instrument players will be provided with appropriate-sized bell covers for their instruments. Contact-free hand sanitizing stations will be set up throughout HMB spaces.
HOW IS THE HMB REHEARSING?
The Hawkeye Marching Band will prioritize use of outdoor rehearsal spaces (the HMB Practice Field and Rugby Field at the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center) for all rehearsals. The HMB will be divided into four bands (I, O, W, and A) of approximately 75 students. Students will rehearse with 4-step spacing (7.5') between them. Prior to attending any rehearsal, performance, or HMB event, students will confirm they are free of any common symptoms associated with COVID-19 through an online questionnaire. Any absences related to COVID-19 (including self-quarantine or illness) will be excused.
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA + SCHOOL OF MUSIC GUIDELINES
Detailed information on the University of Iowa and the School of Music plans for COVID-19 Prevention and Mitigation may be found here:
The Hawkeye Marching Band will rehearse in reduced numbers (as Pep Bands I, O, W, and A) during regularly scheduled rehearsal times each week, Tuesday through Friday. Rehearsals will occur on outdoor practice fields whenever possible. If rehearsals must move indoors due to inclement weather, numbers will be altered to adhere to guidelines established by the UI's Critical Incident Management Team. These numbers are set by testing with ventilation and aerosols in individual spaces.
Music will be distributed digitally using the FlipFolder app, making the HMB paperless for the first time it our 140-year history! This will mitigate risk by eliminating contact through manual distribution of music. Students will access music, drill, and other band-related materials through the app on their personal devices.
The Hawkeye Marching Band will continue to teach marching fundamentals, but there are currently no plans to rehearse and perform drill during the 2020 season.
The Hawkeye Marching Band will present “Virtual Game Day” performances online in Fall 2020, both on social media and here, on this page of the HMB website.
Our series of Virtual Game Days will feature pregame music, music for halftime shows, and other game day components, such as:
- Rec Building Music (Hey Jude and a tune conducted by the drum major)
- The Series/Drumline Lot Show
- Victory Polka and Alma Mater Iowa, senior recognition
- Stand tunes
The HMB is actively working to schedule live performances in accordance with university safety protocols and public health guidelines. Most likely, these performances will feature individual pep bands. As these performances are scheduled, they will be posted on our website on our About page.