Seminole soundtrack queued up: FSU Marching Chiefs prep for football opener against Duquesne

As the soundtrack producers of Florida State University football games, the Marching Chiefs band is putting in just as much work as the Seminoles offensive line for FSU’s first home game against Duquesne University Saturday.

What's driving the band's tenacity is the home opener being a Week Zero, which means being performance ready at least a week earlier than usual.

The "world renowned" Marching Chiefs' appearance means getting over 150 freshmen members ready for their collegiate debut in just a few days, less time than what the band is used to working with.

“A Week Zero game is a challenge – not just for the football team, but for us as well,” Athletic Band Director David Plack told the Democrat. "This is at least one week earlier than when we would usually perform, so it’s a timeline that is not normal for us.”

The band's first game performance usually takes place in September during the official Week One football game.

But prepping for a full pre-game performance and halftime show in August puts the pressure on a little bit more.

“Over a third of the band is new, and that's a little daunting,” said Plack, who has been at FSU as the athletic band director since 2004. “It's exciting, but it's a little scary.”

The band alone has 395 members this fall.

After going through a week of training and try-outs, the last day of auditions was Aug. 18. New members were selected that same day, leaving no time to be wasted from that point forward. Rehearsals immediately started that night.

"It's a challenge, but the students have been working really hard and the attitudes have been terrific,” Plack said. “We're doing everything we can to be ready for Saturday to provide the soundtrack in pageantry to Florida State football, which is something we pride ourselves in.”

More on Florida State v. Duquesne:

• Florida State football releases depth chart for season opener against Duquesne

• Florida State offensive line's depth, new additions to be tested against Duquesne and beyond

• Florida State football could face former all-conference QB in Duquesne's Joe Mischler

Practicing with the chiefs in the blazing heat

With sweat glistening on their foreheads, the band members filled the Marching Chiefs Tower and Practice Field on FSU's campus during a rehearsal Monday. They followed their conductor's hand motions as they played a powerful sound in unison under a blazing sun and relentless humidity.

Freshman trumpet player Kye Turner from Ocala is one of the band's newest members. He knew as a sixth grader when he joined his middle school’s band that he wanted to go to FSU and be a part of the Marching Chiefs.

“The band gives us a sense of family, and I’m very excited for the crowd and people wanting to hear the marching band play,” said Turner, 18. “It’s good to see that people care about the Marching Chiefs and what we’re doing.”

First-year members like Turner weren’t only welcomed by their band peers, but FSU head football coach Mike Norvell also paid them a visit last Thursday, congratulating them on being chosen for a spot in the band.

Norvell shared his excitement about the band being seated in Section 1 of Doak Campbell Stadium since 2020. This puts the Marching Chiefs closer to the student section and the end zone tunnel. The band used to be in section 121, but they made the move during COVID-19 restrictions and accommodations.

“I love that when we come out, we get to see you, and when we go in, we get to see you,” Norvell said, referring to the football team. “You all make such an incredible impact on the game, the atmosphere and all the things we get to be a part of together.”

Graduate student Samantha Maltagliati from Fernandina Beach is one of the band’s new drum majors – and a fan of the seating change.

“Being that close to the student section and that close to the football team has been a gamechanger,” said Maltagliati, 22, who has been part of the band for five years. “The energy has been through the roof.”

Countdown to Game Day

While the countdown to this weekend's game gets more intense for freshmen as they get ready to step out on the field for the first time, the big event is nothing new for the "voice" of the Marching Chiefs of over 40 years.

FSU Band Announcer Dave Westberry says he's looking forward to the season as he celebrates his 42nd anniversary on the job this year. A 1980 FSU alumnus, Westberry was selected for the position at an open audition the year after he graduated.

“It’s the best volunteer job someone could ever have, and it’s a labor of love for me with an organization I look at so highly,” Westberry said as he stood on the sidelines of the band's practice field, wearing a garnet-colored Marching Chiefs T-shirt and gray Marching Chiefs gym shorts.

While a student at FSU in 1978, Westberry was also a member of the Marching Chiefs as a clarinet player.

“The band serves as one of the most visual ambassadors we have for Florida State University," he added.

"Marching Chiefs" in the headlines:

• Marching Chiefs offer to play War Chant at Super Bowl for Kansas City Chiefs

• FSU's Marching Chiefs ready to perform in France for historic D-Day parade

What to expect at halftime

Along with the Marching Chiefs' iconic war chant drumbeat and touchdown tunes usually featured during games, the band has a halftime show planned to get fans pumped up.

Its halftime performance Saturday will be a tribute to the city of New Orleans, serving up a preview of their upcoming performance during FSU’s wildly anticipated game against Louisiana State University on Sept. 4 in the Big Easy. Selections include ‘When the Saints Go Marching In,’ ‘Hurricane Season’ and ‘Do What You Wanna.’

For band alumni and those who can't wait until Saturday, rehearsals continue Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the practice field on Chieftan Way, which is open to the public.

"There's something about the first game when the grass is freshly cut, the uniforms are pristine and there's optimism in the air," Plack said. “There's nothing like the first home game.”

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_. 

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU's Marching Chiefs band puts a pep in its step for first home football game against Duquesne