Expect an out-of-this-world halftime show during tomorrow’s football game against the University of New Mexico.
The UA marching band will pay tribute to the Phoenix-Mars Lander with a representational performance of the mission, including fiery baton twirling and a drumline clad in green Martian costumes, said marching band director Jay Rees.
“”We decided if we’re going to do a show about going to Mars, then we should probably have a little fun,”” Rees said. “”So we put together an old-school halftime show that is tongue-in-cheek and really entertaining.””
The halftime show will highlight the Phoenix Mars Lander’s trek through space and intended landing on the Red Planet, Rees said.
The tuba line will be playing the role of the lander, while the twirling line will throw flaming batons in the air to represent the lander’s rocket engines, Rees said. The band’s other members will form the planet Mars.
As for how the marching band plans to make a group of musicians into a convincing planetary body, Rees would not elaborate.
Drill Cadence
I don’t know, but I’ve been told
Planet Mars is hot and cold.
Dry and dusty ain’t so nice;
Lookin’ for a little ice.
Phoenix…one…two
Mission…three…four.
Phoenix Mission
One, two, three four!
Phoenix Lander is so neat.
Lockheed Martin made it sweet.
JPL will take us there.
UA leads the science share.
“”Follow the water”” is NASA’s song,
UA’s happy to sing along.
We shall see what we shall see.
We might find biology!
“”We’ve got some tricks up our sleeves that will make the planet red,”” Rees said.
Accompanying this interplanetary extravaganza will be original lyrics to a drill cadence created by Colleen Lester, the mission’s associate to the vice president for external relations, and Leslie Johnson, its external relations creative director.
The two women began humming the tune in the office last spring until Lester had an epiphany one morning on her daily commute.
“”I was on my way to work, driving to campus and suddenly came up with the lyrics to this drill cadence,”” Lester said. “”It wasn’t long until I had the four verses.””
She then approached Rees about creating a show about the Mars mission, even though she was unsure how it would be received. When Rees agreed, she was ecstatic.
“”I’m pleased the marching band has chosen to be part of the Mars mission,”” Lester said. “”I’m just so happy Jay Rees has decided to play with us.””
Volunteers will distribute Lester and Johnson’s lyrics to Zona Zoo members during the game so they can chant along with the show, said Tommy Bruce, president of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona.
“”I love that we’re doing different events to get everyone involved with the Mars mission,”” Bruce said.
