![[ NEWS ]](/images/fall97/newsf97.gif)
By Rachael Myer
Arizona Daily Wildcat March 5, 1998
Marching to the beat of bands' first CD
![[Picture]](08_1_i.gif)
Matt Heistand Accounting and finance junior Mike Fleischman and computer engineering junior Rich Ramos play their sousaphones during band practice last week in the Music building. The Pride of Arizona Marching Band has recently released a CD featuring its hits. |
A new compact disc released Feb. 20 features the Red Hot Chili Peppers,
the Beatles, Van Morrison and Alanis Morissette, but you won't be listening
to Flea and Ringo - you'll be jamming to UA's marching and pep bands.
"It seems like a game doesn't go by when somebody in the community doesn't ask me about a CD," said Jay Rees, University of Arizona Athletic Bands director.
For about 14 months, Rees and the marching and pep bands have been working to produce a CD for the community that is representative of their best work, he said.
"With March Madness approaching, the CD is definitely appropriate," Rees said.
The CD, about 25 minutes long, includes "Bear Down, Arizona," and "All Hail, Arizona" in conjunction with Tucson Boys Chorus.
Some of the more contemporary tunes include selections from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Beatles, Van Morrison and Alanis Morissette.
"The music of the marching and pep bands doesn't have to be cheesy," Rees said. "There has been tremendous feedback of the fresh and unique direction of the band."
Funded by a $2,000 College of Fine Arts grant and through the bands' budgets, the CD proceeds will be used to pay production costs. The proceeds will be put back into the budgets.
Produced by Rees at the UA's Music Department, a single song took as many as 30 to 40 hours to record.
Photo Courtesy of the University of Arizona Marching
and Pep Bands The Pride of Arizona, UA's marching and pep bands, recently released their first self-titled compact disc under director Jay C. Rees. |
"It was rewarding because it was difficult. There was so much time, energy and musicianship put into it," said Carrie Rituper, head drum major and music education senior.
"It is rewarding to have the final product in our hands, to share with people and to have them enjoy it as much as we do," she added.
A Tucson nighttime skyline is on the CD's cover, and the inside contains a list of the UA band members.
"We wanted to put our best foot forward and preserve it for all time," Rees said. "The quality of music will stand the test of time - it will be worth listening to for years."
The bands have sold a couple hundred CDs since it was released.
The CDs can be purchased for $10 at the Music building; the UA Associated Students Bookstore; McKale Center; Arizona Images T-Shirt & Gifts, 813 N. Park Ave.; Borders Books & Music, 4235 N. Oracle Road; Muller Music Center, 1010 E. Broadway Blvd.; and Beaver's Band Box, 4540 E. Broadway Blvd.
