School rivalry is the least of Vandal Marching Band director Spencer Martin’s concerns. His mindset is on building a new tradition that will establish newer connections between Idaho and Washington State University.
“I will not say that we’re better or they’re better, but I will say that we are both confident in the styles that we play,” Martin said. “Musicians are not competitive in that way, and it’s not about winning. To me, the coolest thing that we could’ve done was collaborate together and we’re finally able to do so.”
In his fifth year leading the marching band, Martin said the collaboration is special for both schools and thinks the competitive nature a rivalry brings is an ineffective use of time.
The Vandal Marching Band will perform Saturday at Martin Stadium in a collaborative effort with WSU.
The idea came about after Washington State Band Director Troy Bennefield contacted Martin this summer and the directors decided to do a halftime presentation.
After the decision was made, Martin was excited about the idea and has wanted to make it possible since he became band director.
“I’ve always wanted to do a collaboration,” Martin said. “I was really excited when Dr. Bennefield asked and I said ‘absolutely, it will be really great to get the bands together.’”
Martin said it’s the first time both schools are collaborating and wished it would have been done before.
“The disappointment is that all of the years (the football teams) played, we’ve never been able to do a collaboration before,” Martin said. “The fact that we’ve done it now, I hope that if and when we ever get to play again that we do it again and becomes a tradition.”
Both bands will come together Friday and prepare for the halftime show. The concept will consist of three segments. Idaho will lead off the show performing toward the press box until they run off the field and hand it over to WSU and perform toward the opposite side of the stadium.
After both bands perform their solos, the two will come together and do their collaborative piece towards the press box.
“I don’t think our schools collaborate enough,” Martin said. “Everyone gets going in their own world and you have your job to do. But sometimes it’s really easy to forget that you have colleagues doing your exact same job eight miles away.”
Martin said they’ve been preparing their own drills and been rehearsing the third segment before their hour meeting Friday evening.
“It’s going to be a very fast pace and busy rehearsal,” Martin said. “But there’s positive energy and excitement to that. It’s really special that we’re doing this and happy that Troy contacted me. It’s been fun because I got to know him and his staff well and they’re great people. Troy’s doing a great job and at a professional level, it’s nice to work with more colleagues. For the students, it’s a cool event because there’s more important things than ‘who’s winning’ and a reminder that collaboration is more important.”
Martin added that he and Bennefield are making it possible because of the importance of two schools joining forces and creating a positive community eight miles apart from each other.
Martin said he does hope the halftime performance can lead to something special for both communities.
“Musically, I certainly hope that getting together and having our students meet theirs and work together can lead to future collaborations,” Martin said. “I think whether or not it is special, we’re going to make it special because it’s something that needs to happen. It’s important unique to the band, the University of Idaho and Washington State University. To not take advantage of that, it’s really sad and I’m excited to take advantage of this.”
Luis Torres
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