Leckrone: Bowl performance schedule is fair

A compromise has been reached that will give the UW Marching Band two opportunities to perform at the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn. on Dec. 31.

Band Director Michael Leckrone supports the compromise and asks fans to discontinue inappropriate complaints that have inundated the offices of bowl organizers, sponsors and city of Nashville officials since it was announced that the UW band would not be performing at halftime.

“Though I appreciate how passionately the community supports the band, our fans’ reaction is becoming a distraction for band members and those who are working hard to make the game a great experience for all fans,” Leckrone says. “The performance schedule is fair to both bands and gives fans ample opportunity to see us perform.”

The performance schedule was set up so that the band representing the school designated as the home team – in this case, the Auburn Tigers – will perform at halftime. The visiting team’s band, which is the UW Marching Band, plays during the pre-game and post-game activities.

The UW band plans to perform its traditional halftime show during the pre-game, beginning at 10:50 a.m. Immediately following the trophy presentation, the band will return to the field for the beloved “Fifth Quarter.”

Leckrone hopes the compromise will end the flurry of phone calls and e-mail being directed at bowl organizers. Some of the comments, Leckrone says, have shown poor sportsmanship. He is concerned that those feelings will turn into unsportsmanlike behavior on game day, particularly toward Auburn’s band.

“Fans have the opportunity to see two wonderful marching bands perform,” Leckrone says. “Just as we don’t want our opponent’s fans taunting us, I ask our fans to respect the performance of the young women and men from Auburn who have worked so hard to put on a great show for fans of both teams.”

In addition to game-day performances, fans will have the opportunity to see a unique “battle of the bands” at 6 p.m. the previous evening, Dec. 30, at the Wildhorse Saloon on 2nd Street in Downtown Nashville, where both the UW and Auburn bands will perform for fans.