Three generations of Florida State Marching Chiefs to play together in homecoming

Florida State University's Bobby Bowden Field at Doak S. Campbell Stadium is where three generations of Marching Chiefs will be found performing side by side — all with cymbals in hand — during Saturday’s homecoming game.

“I know that other generations of Marching Chiefs have been out there on the field before, but I don't think three generations have played the exact same instrument at the same time,” said FSU alumnus and Tallahassee native Lewis Christie, 71.

He joined the university’s band in 1970 and played the cymbals in the drumline for three years.

About 20 years later, his daughter Carla Christie-Wester also joined the FSU Marching Chiefs and followed in her father’s footsteps by playing the same instrument.

Fast forward 30 more years later, and her son Aidan Wester — Lewis’s grandson — kept the tradition going as a current cymbal player in the band’s drumline, which is also referred to as the “Big 8.”

“It's such an overwhelming feeling of excitement to know that I'm going to have an opportunity to go out there with my daughter and my grandson,” said Lewis, who retired after working for over 30 years in computer information technology at the Florida Department of Children and Families.

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The university’s homecoming week began Oct. 16 and is set to end Saturday.

With homecoming festivities being postponed in 2022 due to Hurricane Ian and the prior year's slate of events being limited due to COVID-19 safety measures following a delay in 2020, this year marks the full return of FSU's homecoming.

FSU’s Marching Chiefs Alumni — an organization that provides support to FSU band programs and opportunities for musical performances  — gives Lewis, Carla and other former Marching Chiefs the chance to play alongside current band members during the pregame and half-time show of homecoming football games, such as Saturday’s game against Duke University at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The alumni band received information on what music will be played in advance, and its first practice session is held the morning ahead of the game's kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

Lewis says about 300 alumni band members make an appearance each year, and marching alongside Carla during her time at FSU was an “indescribable feeling” that always gave him goosebumps.

For Carla, having the chance to march with both Lewis and her son, Aidan, Saturday is icing on the cake.

“Now that I'm the parent and get to march with my son, I'm absolutely over the moon about the idea,” said Carla, 49, who lives in Jacksonville, Florida. “The pride I feel now with all three of us is pretty amazing.”

After graduating from FSU in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in English, Carla attended Florida Coastal School of Law and earned her juris doctor degree in 2000. She is currently a staff attorney for AmTrust Financial, an insurance company.

The family comes from a line of music-lovers as Carla’s grandmother was a music teacher. Carla learned to play the piano at a young age similar to her father Lewis, who started playing the piano at the age of 5.

In addition, Carla and Lewis both played the drums as members of Leon High School’s band, and while Carla also played the drums at Griffin Middle School, Lewis was in the drumline at Cobb Middle School as a student.

FSU junior Aidan, a marine biology major, joined the marching band in August but has been playing the cymbals for about two years. He also played the snare drums and bass drums in high school.

“There's no other feeling in the world than watching your child appreciate the same things that you appreciate, and essentially want to follow in the family footsteps,” Carla said.

Aidan’s goal for as long as he could remember was to be a Marching Chief, but more specifically, to march next to his parents and grandfather.

On top of Lewis and Carla being former band members, Aidan’s father Brad Wester — who will also be performing Saturday — was a Marching Chief as a snare drum player, which is how he met Carla.

“To know that this performance is finally coming up is very exciting and nerve-racking because this is what I've wanted for a long time,” Aidan said.

Lewis expressed how proud he is of Carla and Aidan for joining the renowned and competitive band, recalling that when he attended FSU, the only requirement for students interested in being a member was to sign up for a one-hour credit class before tryouts were implemented years later.

The Marching Chiefs band has been practicing every day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in preparation for the homecoming game.

Besides the anticipated Saturday football game, other homecoming events taking place this week include the annual parade Friday at 2 p.m. followed by a Homecoming Live show at 8 p.m. with rapper and singer Bryce Vine.

But performing together on the football field is what Lewis, Carla and Aidan say they look forward to the most.

“Not a lot of families get to have this opportunity,” Aidan said. “I’m super excited for it.”

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

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Three generations of FSU Marching Chiefs to perform in homecoming