During Murray State games, the Racer Band has been a constant source of entertainment and fun for Racer fans at sporting events from the beginning. 

Ashely Shoupe, a Saluki marching band alumni from Southern Illinois University, has been directing the Racer band for two years, and she spoke to me about all of the work that goes on behind the scenes. One thing she highlighted was the student-led work that went on. 

“What is most hopeful [about the band] is the student leadership. I oversee the big picture, but the student leadership is really instrumental in helping us function and run,” she said.

Hannah Nix, a saxophone instrumental music education major, said “balancing Racer Band with the crazy schedule that comes with being a music major involves lots of late nights. Having good time management is key to balancing everything during the season.” 

In addition to the section leaders, the students actively participate in their uniform team and band council.

Winter Johnson, a band council member and music education major, provided me with a detailed explanation of the role and responsibilities of the band council within the band.

“We are just there to make sure everyone feels supported and that everybody is having a good time,” she said.

Johnson also briefed me on what the process is like for them at the beginning of the season. 

“Before the freshmen come in, we made videos for them so that they knew what to do when they got here,” she said “We made cards for them with contact information on them so if they needed anything they could always reach out. Throughout the season we come up with theme days; we have made posters for the games and really just make sure that everybody feels included and that they are having a good time while they are there.”

The band’s uniform team is another key component. Students produce the final product on game day or at competitions.

Kaitlyn Microsh, uniform team member and music business major, described what the uniform team actually does and how they play a vital role when it comes to costuming. “What we do is, for football games and performing elsewhere, we make sure we have extras of specific things that people might be missing,” she said. “We make sure everyone has their uniform put together; we tell them how to clean it and the whole process of putting it on so everyone looks the same.”

Microsh goes further to tell me how hands-on they have to be with the uniforms.

“We fit everybody; we do the measurements,” she said, “we do alter them ourselves; we’ll fix things and sew things like zippers on the costume.” 

Every member that spoke to me talked about how passionate they were to take the section leader position when it opened up. 

Eva Lott, a clarinet section leader and music business major, said she looked up to her previous section leaders and wanted to be able to help others just like they helped her. 

“I was section leader in my high school band as well, and I had a lot of fun helping the other students and building amazing friendships with my section,” she said. “I looked forward to being able to do this again. As well as being able to help people, my section leaders in the racer band last year were amazing, and I wanted to help continue to build and improve on the environment they created.”

Logan Cherry, a mellophone section leader and instrumental music education major, gave me some insight into some of the things that they are performing this year.

“We’ve got some really nice songs going on the field: Blinding Lights by The Weeknd, Tank, and a mashup of two Ricky Martin songs.” 

Riley Williams, drumline section leader and agricultural business major, said “everything is a group effort, and it is really nice to see it all come along and get to perform. Homecoming is also a fun time because we get to do the parade and then the game afterward.”

Every section leader has a different way of leading their section. Sara Smallwood, flute section leader, Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Animal Health major, talked to me about how she leads her section.

“As a section leader, I strive to lead with integrity and share that passion with my peers,” she said. “I hope to motivate my section and a lot of the time they are motivating me too! We are all working towards a common goal, and I believe that communication is vital to our success. I think it is important to be self-aware and open-minded so that our section works like a well-oiled machine.”

Smallwood also mentioned how much communication is important to her when it comes to leading her section.

They all mentioned the strengths that this group had.

Williams said that “listening into each other and focusing on what every other person is playing and how your part fits in with your section and the band as a whole.”

The band director, uniform team, band council, and section leader who spoke to me expressed their deep appreciation for the program and the positive aspects they have gained from it.

Cherry said, “it is a 180-member family. They tell us at every band camp that you just increased your chances of graduating by 50% because of how strong of a network you get and a community you get from Racer Band.”

Shoupe, Racer Band director, raised attention to not only how she wants them to come out of good musicians but also wants them to learn how to be a functioning good human in society as well.

As the year goes on, you can always count on the Murray State Racer Band being there to put a smile on everybody’s face and make sure everyone leaves entertained. As the season progresses, they have multiple events and competitions they participate in.