Alderson-Broaddus Preparing To Debut New Marching Band - WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, Weather

Alderson-Broaddus College has a new football stadium and a new football team, and now, they're ready to send in the band.

Last fall was a big season for athletics at Alderson-Broaddus College. The school introduced a new football team and stadium for it to compete in. And next year, A-B will add the last missing piece: a new marching band. College staff said this the latest in the plan to help the college grow.

"I think with our president and his new mission, this was part of it from the get-go, to have new athletic teams, a vibrant campus, surrounded by athletic music," said Director of Athletic Bands Logan Lindsey.

The music program at A-B is already a strong one, with student musicians participating in orchestras and choral ensembles. The addition of a marching band will help students in many ways. Lindsey said it adds another experience for music education majors, and can help other students pay their way through school.

"It's also going to provide extra opportunity to pay financially for college. We're going to have the largest participation award for non-music majors of any school in WV, VA, MD, PA and OH," Lindsey said.

While student musicians look forward to the new opportunity, work continues on the A-B football stadium. Athletic director Denny Creehan said the band will only add to the experience the new stadium will provide.

"A football game without a marching band is not much more than a practice, in my opinion. There's not the same kind of excitement that you have when you have a band there. And our marching band is going to be a big part of what we do," Creehan said.

Creehan also said the staff at A-B is looking to start some new traditions with the new team, and students on campus will soon have a chance to pick lyrics for their new fight song.