Elon marching band begins practice

Members of Elon's new marching band, "The Fire of the Carolinas," have started preparation for their first season. Details...


The full band practiced together on the intramural athletic fields each morning and evening Aug. 20-24. Individual section rehearsals were held each afternoon. Daily rehearsal sessions will resume Aug. 29.

The band is directed by Bill DeJournett, who joined the Elon faculty in 2000 to begin recruiting members. “The Fire of the Carolinas” will have between 70 and 100 members; auditions began in the spring for students who had color guard or musical instrument experience.

The band’s first full performance will take place Sept. 15 during Elon’s first football game at the new Rhodes Stadium. The band will perform “Carolina Moon,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and the Elon fight song during its pregame show. The halftime repertoire will vary during the season, featuring selections from the popular groups Chicago and Earth, Wind and Fire, along with a Latin jazz show including songs by Bill Chase and Carlos Santana.