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The University of Michigan Marching Band, in partnership with the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance Department of Musical Theatre and Percussion Studio, showcased selections from the Broadway musical and film series “Wicked” during the halftime performance of the U-M versus Central Michigan University football game.
In anticipation of the forthcoming release of “Wicked: For Good,” the musical selections featured included: “No One Mourns the Wicked”; “Popular”; “Dancing Through Life”; and “Defying Gravity.”
Recognized for their tribute to a wide array of diverse artists and musical styles, the Michigan Marching Band “represents and celebrates the dynamic landscape of American culture,” stated John Pasquale, director of Michigan Marching & Athletic Bands. “By doing this, we not only engage our audiences but also initiate discussions about music’s continual influence in shaping and reflecting our collective cultural identity.”
Pasquale regards the marching band as “a cultural link that connects cherished collegiate traditions with the vibrancy and creativity of contemporary pop culture,” as demonstrated by their previous performances that highlighted everything from Beyoncé to Game of Thrones; Hans Zimmer to Lizzo; or James Bond to New Orleans jazz with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
The Michigan Marching Band consists of 371 students from U-M’s three campuses: Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint. This marks the third occasion the band and the Department of Musical Theatre have joined forces for a halftime performance. They previously performed “Broadway,” during halftime of the 2016 Michigan vs. Penn State football match, and “Places Where We Sing,” during the 2022 Michigan vs. UConn football game.
“The chance to collaborate with students from the Musical Theatre Department, along with our exceptional Percussion Studio, is genuinely remarkable—their skill is simply unmatched,” Pasquale mentioned. “Displaying such extraordinary talent on the field, in the largest football arena in the U.S., emphasizes the vital role that the arts hold on our campus.”
And that sentiment is reciprocated. One of the soloists portraying Elphaba, U-M junior Zee Happonen, described the collaboration as “such a fulfilling experience.”
“They are incredibly precise and never miss a beat—always ahead of the game,” Happonen expressed regarding the marching band. “Nothing is more enchanting than when artists unite and share their passions. Personally, that’s the emotion I experience when performing with the band: We’re creating music, magic, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for ourselves and for all who are watching.”
This performance follows their September 2023 halftime rendition of “Defying Gravity,” leading up to the first release of the “Wicked” film. Check out the performance.
Explore additional videos from the Michigan Marching Band on their YouTube channel.
Michigan Marching Band Leadership
- John Pasquale is the head of the Michigan Marching & Athletic Bands and holds the Donald R. Shepherd Professorship in Conducting at U-M.
- Richard Frey serves as the associate director of the Michigan Marching & Athletic Bands.
- Joan Noble-Pruett leads the Michigan Flags.
- Chuck Ricotta heads the Michigan Drumline.
Department of Musical Theatre Leadership
- Cynthia Kortman Westphal chairs the Department of Musical Theatre and is the Arthur and Martha Hearron Endowed Professor of Musical Theatre.
Percussion Studio Leadership
- Doug Perkins is an associate professor of music and directs the percussion program at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
Creative Team for “Wicked”
- Musical arrangements are crafted by Jason DeBord, Richard Frey, Matt Jordan, and Chuck Ricotta.
- Flag choreography is developed by Joan Noble-Pruet.
- Musical Theatre choreography is by Sean McKnight, with support from Raja Benz.
- Drill work is created by Corey Jahlas.
Musical Theatre Soloists
- Christine Chupailo
- Bella Denissen
- Maddie Dick
- Vanessa Dominguez
- Zee Happonen
- Sofia Maldonado
- Emily Murakami
- Caroline Patterson
- Tsumari Patterson
- Gabriel Sanchez
- Nicholas Wilkinson
- Anderson Zoll
Musical Theatre Student Performers
- Lleyton Allen
- Zoltan Berencsi
- Oliver Boomer
- Archie Bracegirdle
- Burke Brickner
- Nova Brown
- Zuri Clarno
- Aliyah Douglas
- Ezra Frazier
- Riley Hahn
- Quincy Hampton
- Rhett Hemingway
- Lyd Herrera
- Sutton Kaylor
- Kristabel Kenta-Bibi
- Logan Krushinski
- Ty Lam
- Kevin Ludwig
- Elle Michaels
- Tiffany Nagano
- Kate Player
- Fabi Rihl
- Natasha Rodriguez
- Drey’von Simmons
- Aaron Syi
- Kiran Szymkowiak
- Sage Taylor
- Ella Thomas-Montgomery
- Landon Wouters
Percussion Studio Student Performers
- Will Dahle
- Jack Hustead
- Brenna Lantz-Lewis
- Faye Lu
- Aidan Marckel
- Karl Reuterbusch
- Melody Tang
- Jonathan Wentzel
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