The Rockets sound off

Say goodbye to tailgates and touchdowns. The Rocket football season is coming to a close soon. But if you’re not ready to part with the pigskin just yet, the Rocket Marching Band has something extra special in store for you.

For their fourth consecutive year, the University of Toledo’s marching band will perform alongside their color guard and feature twirlers Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. at the Valentine Theater in downtown Toledo.

The band will be playing hits from Bruno Mars, Bon Jovi, Justin Timberlake, Gustav Holst and more, alongside traditional UT favorites fans have heard at football games.

Andrew Rhodes, the director of athletic bands, said this is a perfect opportunity to thank fans and supporters with a one-of-a-kind experience.

“The concert is a really fun experience from the audience’s perspective, particularly getting to be in such close contact with the band,” Rhodes said. “In a way, it is like a very family-friendly rock concert.”

It’s also a great reward for the band students, who have dedicated countless hours of intense practice weeks before the semester even began in order to perfect their performance.

“We relish the opportunities to support Rocket Athletics and represent UT on the field and in the stands,” Rhodes said. “The excellence that results from their hours of work also deserves to be recognized on its own, and an indoor, year-in-review concert is a great way to do that and to give back to our fans.”

Kyle Kissner, a fifth-year trumpet and section leader, said this is his final year as member of the band and he looks forward to performing the songs he has spent so much time learning.

“The biggest difference between the concert performance and a field show is the sheer volume of music to prepare and perform,” Kissner said. “All of the music that we have spent an entire semester learning and performing has to be revisited and perfected in preparation for the performance.”

Not only does the performance showcase the band in its entirety, it also recognizes individuals like Kissner who are graduating this winter and next spring.

Andrew Roberts, a fifth-year color guard leader and the only male in the color guard, is one of the graduating seniors who will showcase his hard work and experience with a flag and dance solo during the show.

“It’s very bittersweet, but I look forward to performing on stage for a crowd that has always been so supportive of this organization,” Roberts said. “I’ll still pursue my career of color guard for future years to come, but my career in the Glass Bowl has finally reached its final chapter. I love band. I always have, and I always will.”

Fourth-year drum major Adam Miller, who has been a part of the band for four years, will be graduating as well and will be performing his own arrangement of “Rise” by Katy Perry during Roberts’ solo.

Miller said he most looks forward to getting the opportunity to perform for an audience that is there solely to hear the marching band.

“While we have a great audience in the Glass Bowl, that is a football audience. It is so much fun to play for a crowd that came out just to listen to us,” Miller said. “I expect to enjoy this final performance and cherish all the memories I have made over the course of my years in the band.”

Tickets are $7 and can be purchased in advance at the UT Center for Performing Arts Box Office or the Valentine Theater Box Office. Tickets will also be available at the door.