The Superior Central Marching Band joined 16 other schools from Michigan and Wisconsin at the Northern Michigan University Band Day on Saturday, Oct. 29. It was the third year in a row for the Cougars to perform in the mass band exhibition.

“It’s the only time is your life you will stand on the field with over 500 high school students from all over the U.P. and Wisconsin and play the same song,” SC Band Director Kristi Fredrick said. “It’s pretty incredible.”

The bands came from as far away as downstate Inland Lakes and Wisconsin’s Luna and Hurley school districts. But of the 17 total bands taking place, 12 were from the Upper Peninsula. Superior Central was included next to Newberry and downstate Kingsley in the mass band formation, while the “Pride of the North” NMU Marching Band took center stage in front of the home crowd.

Six songs were performed in the halftime show, including pop, rock and musical numbers before ending with the NMU Fight Song. Fredrick said that the playlist was released two weeks prior to the band day with only one shot at practicing in the mass band.

“On the day of the event, students arrive at the Dome for a morning of rehearsals at 8:30 a.m.. The morning of the event is the only time students will play together before the 1 p.m. game,” she said.

It was the largest showing of high school bands in years according to the Northern Michigan University Music Department, making the Superior Dome a packed venue. When the bands were not on the field, they warmed up in sections across the facility and sat in the bleachers alongside visiting Ferris State fans and the Wildcat faithful. After the game, four of the larger schools with competitive marching routines participated in an exhibition, but smaller schools like Superior Central did not participate.