University Of Arkansas Marching Band Visits McAlester For Practice Ahead Of Big Game

The University of Arkansas marching band made a pitstop in McAlester on Friday.

The band is rehearsing their halftime show ahead of the Razorback's game against Texas A&M in the Southwest Classic on Saturday. The 349-member band, along with its eight buses, took over McAlester High School's football field to get in some last-minute practice.

 “Every week we learn a new show, so it’s very important that we get as much rehearsal time as we can,” says Drum major and Sapulpa High grad Douglas Harnish.

 He says they're on their way to the Dallas Cowboy Stadium for the No. 10 Razorbacks, and the No. 23 Aggies but they say they needed a place to fit in one last practice session.

“This week we’re doing Elton John music, so we’ve got Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man lines up,” says Harnish.

Among those watching them practice are members of the McAlester High School band. Band leaders at McAlester High School say having such a large band practice here inspires their students.

“It’s huge, when they see it they get blown away and say I want to be a part of something like that,” says McAlester High school fine arts director David Steidley.

He is an Arkansas alum himself and says this is the third time the band has stopped here to practice, and they enjoy having them every time.

“They’re great, all we have to do is get a few tables and they clean up.”

Steidley says long after the band is gone, there will still be a lasting impact on this community and everyone who got a glimpse of them in action.