A lot to 'Toot their Horns' about

Valdosta State's Blazin' Brigade Marching Band has a lot to "toot their horns" about. Not only is this year VSU's centennial birthday, it is also the 25th anniversary for Blazer football.

The Blazin' Brigade has prepared a pre-game "Centennial Fanfare 2006" for all home games, written especially for the VSU Centennial Celebration. The half-time show for the first half of the football season up through homecoming will feature the songs, "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," "When the Saints go Marching in," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," and "Whisper Your Name," and eventually will close with "Amazing Grace." After homecoming, the half-time show will feature songs from the Doobie Brothers, such as "Jesus is Just Alright," "Minute by Minute," and "Long Train Runnin'."

Blazin' Brigade Marching Band Director Eric Bradshaw said the 134-member marching band is the strongest band VSU has had since he joined VSU five years ago, with a solid group of returning students and a higher skill-level of incoming freshmen.

The Blazin' Brigade performs at all home football games, travels to at least one away game per year, and performs at the national championship game when involved. The band will also perform at approximately two high school marching festivals/competitions as an exhibition group and at the VSU homecoming parade.

The musicians practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 4 to 5:50 p.m., on the front lawn. Contact Bradshaw at 229/249-4965 or at eebradsh@valdosta.edu .