Vater announced that Marshall University’s Marching Thunder Band is now using the new Vater Front Ensemble, Concert Ensemble, and Marching products exclusively.
The Marching Thunder is the center of game day spirit at Marshall University. Two hours before kickoff the band performs for the team’s walk through the stadium parking lot to their locker room. The percussion section’s cadences march the band to the stadium prior to pregame. The band performs continually during the games playing fanfares, fight cheers, special arrangements played only in the stands, and drum breaks in addition to the pregame and halftime shows. Following each game, the “Hit Squad” (nickname for their battery) sets up in the stadium parking lot and performs for the fans. In recent years, the band has been invited to perform for several NFL games; three times for the Steelers and Bengals, as well as the Colts.
Each year, the band hosts the Tri-State Marching Band Festival featuring as many as 38 bands from 5 states. The Band Director is Dr. Adam Dalton. The Percussion Coordinator is Aaron Statler, he is assisted by Joe Crowe, Reece Watkins, Chad Fink and Stephanie Booth.
