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In the waning minutes of the first half of Widener football’s season opener, 50 students, dressed in blue and gold uniforms, lined up just beyond the end zone.

Moments later, after the clock expired, the Widener marching band and color guard took the field, and struck up the chords of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

It was a history-making moment – the first marching band since the school has been known as Widener University. The university’s predecessor institution, Pennsylvania Military College, had fielded marching bands.

The moment was not lost on drum major David Evans ’19.

“To be a part of Widener's very first marching band gives me a great feeling to know that I helped start something bigger than myself,” said Evans, a criminal justice major.

This new marching band has been in the works for a couple years, and includes a large contingent of freshmen. Its members participated in marching band in high school, and some have played in Widener’s pep band.

In the fall, the marching band will perform at home games and . In the spring, these members will participate in the Widener University Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, as well as perform at basketball games and Accepted Student Days as members of the pep band.

“The marching band is an ambassador to the university, an extension of the excitement,” said Iain Moyer, director of athletic bands and music programs recruiter. “And it’s a real benefit to students to continue making music. Many of them have been playing since fourth or fifth grade. This is an opportunity to keep playing.”

Serena Turco ’19, the tenor saxophone and woodwind captain, said the band is a family that relies on teamwork, as its members learn both the music and drills.

“Marching band is great for seeing the music come together in a visual way,” said the environmental science and Spanish major. “I think that spirit and enthusiasm within the band will spread throughout campus because it’s very evident when watching a marching band that they love what they do.”

The new band’s blue and gold uniforms, topped off with blue plumed shakos, are intended to be traditional and contemporary – partially an ode to the school’s PMC legacy and reminiscent of the cadet dress of decades ago, and partially a modern pageantry-style uniform worn by marching ensembles today.