The UCA Bear Marching Band recently received gifts from the music department, athletic department and university.

The marching band will start off the fall 2010 semester with 18 new sousaphones provided to the department through university grant money.

The grant money also provided the band students with new lockers.

“The Bear Marching Band is grateful that the university provided the money to purchase the new instruments,” Steven Smyth, assistant director of bands, said. “These instruments will not just provide a better sound for the band but also provide the students with adequent equipment.”

Senior Jarrett Perry said he was also thankful for the new instruments.

“As a fourth year member of the sousaphone section … I have witnessed many of the old instruments fall apart, even while playing them,” Perry said. “These new instruments will allow us to continue to provide good quality music to our fans.”

As the band is a part of both the music department and the athletic department, students have the option of band scholarships or stipends.

Last year the athletic department offered stipends to band students who did not receive a band scholarship from the music department.

To receive the stipends, students are required to attend all football games and certain athletic events as determined by the band director.

“With the growing numbers of incoming freshman and non music majors, the athletic stipends was a way for us to provide the students with a token of appreciation,” Smyth said.

Smyth, who is also the marching band director, is making arrangements to have a special guest, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band from New Orleans, attend either a home game or perform in downtown Conway and accompany the band.

“We have not set in stone the arrangements with the Dirty Dozen Brass Band but we are excited to have them come to Conway,” Smyth said.

During the spring semester, the marching band executive board is making plans for the upcoming football season. Broadway, 80s rock and Disney villain theme songs are ideas that have been discussed for the half-time shows.

For the fall 2010 season, the marching band has been funded to stay overnight and travel to the Tulsa football game. The marching band’s last overnight trip was the fall of 2007 to Houston.

“This is a trip that the students have been waiting for. With funds being provided the students are excited to play for the football team on an away game,” Smyth said.

With the marching being a part of the athletic department, the new UCA athletic logo has affected members’ uniforms.

The athletic department has given the band the option of purchasing patches to cover all of the uniforms or they can keep the old logo. The creation of the new logo affected the uniforms of all athletic teams and departments.

“It will cost roughly $76,000 to patch all of the uniforms,” Smyth said. “Without the athletic department nor the music department being able to afford the expenses the B.M.B. will keep the old logo.”

With the marching band student involvement, the band is the largest RSO on campus.

“The [marching band]works hard and plays hard during rehearsals and especially in performances. The students dedication and persistency gives the music department an accent that draws many prospective students to the university and the department,” Perry said. “Together, through our music and showmanship, we lead our students in showing support to our athletic teams and loyalty to our school.”