Cyclone band has a job to do in Dublin, too

Known for its arduous preparation and artful performances, the Cyclone Marching Band has been working since May toward a halftime performance at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic Saturday in Dublin. The Iowa State and Kansas State bands are collaborating on the show, a first for this annual college event.

Band director Christian Carichner said a single band made up of Cyclones and Wildcats will give fans the best show.

"Both of our bands are large -- more than 400 students -- so a band of 100 is a bit underwhelming for our fan bases. Combining forces is going to be a better product for our fans and for the local Irish audience," he said.

The student musicians will be well-blended, as will the color guards.

Following auditions last fall -- yes, fall 2024! -- for the 100 Iowa State spots on the "Ireland band," in May students received the music and drill instructions for a 10-minute performance featuring songs by the 1970s American rock band Journey.

During an April site visit to Dublin, Carichner learned that this game's allure for the Irish is experiencing all aspects of American college football. That typically includes marching bands playing arrangements of popular music from American culture.

"We tried to choose a band with universal appeal that people have heard of," he said. "It's high energy, appealing music that translates well to marching band."

The musical arrangements they're using were done 15-20 years ago for the Kansas State band by Ryan Nowlin, now director of the United States Marine Band. The drill formations also were created at Kansas State.

"It resembles their style. We tend to make pictures when we march, they do more of a military-style grid," Carichner explained. "It's been good for our students to try another style -- though challenging to learn in a four-hour rehearsal."

Dublin countdown

When the two bands met halfway Aug. 3 in Liberty, Missouri, for an all-afternoon rehearsal, the students had the music memorized and focused on marching. Iowa State's "Ireland band" members rehearsed some more in Ames Aug. 14-15 and will have a joint rehearsal with the K State band Friday in Dublin on the eve of the game.

The halftime show isn't the only performance on their calendar.

• Thursday: Open-air bus tour of Dublin with performances on the bus, kickoff event at Dublin City Hall, evening performance at Guiness Storehouse
• Friday: Final rehearsal, evening ISU pep rally, afternoon and evening pop-up performances in groups of 20-25 in Dublin pubs as the schedule allows
• Saturday: Morning pop-up performances in downtown Dublin, pre-game parade into Aviva Stadium, halftime show

"We're carrying the Cyclone flag across the Atlantic and representing our university. We're not taking that responsibility lightly. We want to do a great job," Carichner said. "We understand the Cyclone spirit and the marching band itself is source of pride for the university and community, so we want to make sure we fly that flag proudly and create something that everyone back here will be proud of."

August band camp and game watch

By necessity, the opportunity to perform in Ireland moved up and compressed auditions and band camp for this fall's Cyclone Marching Band. Carichner said great partnerships with the residence department and ISU Dining, and generous funding help from the athletics department made all the early arrivers possible. 

"Everyone's been fantastic about understanding the uniqueness of this. It's one of the best things about Iowa State: Multiple units work together to accomplish the goals for the students," he said.

Instead of arriving Sunday to begin auditions, another 400-plus students started that process last Friday, with the full marching band roster announced already by Sunday evening. The full band practiced together for two days before the Ireland band members departed Wednesday. The remaining 325 members continued with band camp -- and preparation for the student-only football watch party Aug. 23 in Hilton Coliseum, where they'll be part of the gameday atmosphere.

When the Dublin contingent arrives back in Ames Sunday, the full marching band's next gameday will be just six days away, an Aug. 30 home opener at Jack Trice Stadium.