Although Butler Field is where the entire band practices, each day’s work begins a few feet away, behind the white tower on the front sideline where an area of trees separates the field from the School of Music. Band members congregate here in sections prior to each day’s rehearsal. Each instrumental section has a designated set of trees where they meet, and go through pre-rehearsal procedures as a smaller group, and prepare for the full band rehearsal ahead. As a member of the trombone section, I would meet at the set of trees closest to the parking lot of the Moody Music Building.

Though the entire band operates like a family, this family is extended. Section members act as one’s immediate family members. My section even refers to our trombone leaders as parents. In this short rehearsal period before our full band rehearsal, members of my section would mingle among each other and talk about our school day before our leaders would tell us to form a warm-up arc. In the arc, we would stretch, play some warm-up pieces, and work on show or stand music until we heard the drum majors’ whistles, which signal band members to move to Butler Field for full band rehearsal.



Butler Field represents a place where dedication, struggles, and triumphs take place every day of each marching season. Band members have laughed, cried, and experienced dozens of other emotions on the practice field. Beginning in August, a week and half before classes begin at the University, roughly 450 people including band members, staff, and faculty begin work on the next edition of the Million Dollar Band. Undergraduate students learn marching techniques, music, and spend long hours sweating in the heat. During this time period, known as band camp, rehearsals occur three times a day with designated meal breaks between each time. Band camp is the time where members first begin to know one another. In this stage, Butler Field is the common ground between old and new members of the organization. Like these students, the field is clean and prepared for rehearsal. Following band camp, classes begin and Butler Field becomes an outdoor classroom. Music and drill sheets replace textbooks and each member’s instrument or piece of equipment is his or her tool for success.