Are you interested in leading or playing with a Hawkeye pep band in your community? We have received requests for live music from I-Clubs and other organizations, for live music at game-watch parties, and other events. So, the Alumni Band Leadership Board is getting ahead of the football season with this “Call for Musicians”!
Band leaders are needed to recruit local musicians and coordinate the gigs in cooperation with their local I-Club or other organizations interested in more Hawkeye spirit. You don’t need formal training to conduct or organize these gigs. Alumni Band musicians are needed to fill out the parts to play the fight song, Jude, and other selections. Our Board will support your band with advertising to recruit leaders and musicians, provide music, and match you up with local I-Club leaders who are hungry (and thirsty) for your music. All performances will be conducted with family-friendly guidelines that will please Hawkeye fans both young and old.
If you’re interested in leading or playing, submit your name to the recruitment form at the link below, and we’ll get in touch with you about next steps. You can also contact Kirk Phillips at kirk-phillips@uiowa.edu or (319) 430-9566.
From Jeff Eagan (BBA '74, MA '79):
During my 47 years as an Iowa Alumni Band member, I have learned to appreciate the special bond the Alumni Band seems to have with Iowa Hawkeye fans. To show respect for them, I have performed and organized several Hawkeye Fan Events with small groups of fellow Alumni Band members, playing the Iowa Fight Song for some tailgating fans around Kinnick Stadium after a game as those Alumni Band members walked to their cars! Another example was to play TV game watch parties for an Iowa football games at Dolph’s Iron Bar in Dubuque. Alumni Band members enjoy playing Hawkeye music and Hawkeye Fans enjoy hearing it. Pretty simple!
Dolph summarized the game-watch experience with our band in 2021, when he explained why he wanted to have the Iowa Alumni Band play at his event: 'Hawkeye Fans are great, and they love the Iowa traditions: Kinnick Stadium; Iowa Football; and the Hawkeye Marching Band. Those Iowa traditions are intertwined together.'
Hawkeye Fans know that when you were members of the Hawkeye Marching Band, you performed inside Kinnick Stadium, and helped them cheer at Iowa Football games. No one else can claim that unique position in the hearts of Hawkeye Fans. YOU guys are authentic. And the Hawkeye Fans understand that!
This is the legacy of the Iowa Alumni Band. Our responsibility is to carry it forward.
GO HAWKS !!!