Big 'Ten' marching bands play 'Wicked' for National Wicked Day

I'm doing something new and different for today's spooky season celebration, observing National Wicked Day, the anniversary of Wicked's debut on Broadway. Of course, I'm doing it my way, which is to celebrate the day through the lens of marching music, capped by a drink.

I begin with "Wicked" - Sept., 13, 2025 - Michigan vs CMU - Michigan Marching Band, Musical Theatre, Percussion.

The Michigan Marching Band is excited to collaborate with the SMTD Dept. of Musical Theatre and Percussion Studio for a “Wicked” performance! This thrillifying halftime show will feature iconic tunes from the beloved Broadway musical and films, and showcase the artistry of the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Grab your dancing shoes and meet us at the Ozdust Ballroom as we celebrate one of the most popular musicals of all time!

Music Selections:
No One Mourns the Wicked
Popular
Dancing Through Life
Defying Gravity

Musical arrangements by Jason DeBord, Richard Frey, Matt Jordan, and Chuck Ricotta
Choreography by Sean McKnight; asst. by Raja Benz
Flag choreography by Joan Noble-Pruett
Drill by Corey Jahlas

This Michigan Marching Band would like to thank the Cozad Family for their generous support of this halftime performance.

The singers and keyboards added new dimensions to this performance, making it a special occasion. The singers steal the show, but I wish the band would keep the keyboards.

At least three other Big "Ten" bands played music from Wicked so far this season, including the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band: 10.25.25 Halftime vs. Penn State | Defying Gravity: The Music of Wicked.

Together, we’re unlimited, Hawkeye Nation! For our October 18, 2025 game vs. Penn State, we brought the music of Wicked to life under the lights in Kinnick Stadium, because everyone deserves the chance to fly!

Featuring the Iowa Dance Team, Herky the Hawk, and the Nittany Lion. This show was designed by Dr. Eric Bush, with music arrangements by Drew Bonner.

The Hawkeye Marching Band made some interesting choices, including having the drum major dress up as the Wizard, inviting the opposing team's mascot to be part of the show to play Glinda, and casting Herky as Elphaba.

The other band from the conference playing Wicked was the Marching Illini: Music from Wicked | IMBC 2025 Evening Performance 10.25.2025.

That's a good pure marching band show with a preview image appropriate for spooky season. I have mixed feelings about the ending. I know it's tradition, but it's something of a museum piece. The Illini are named after the Illiniwek and the fight song reflects that. At least the university has replaced the Native American logo on the field with an outline of the state of Illinois.

The fourth and final band hails from a university that just joined the conference, USC Trojan Marching Band + USC School of Dramatic Arts Wicked halftime 10/11/25.

A Wicked wonderful halftime, combining the talents of the USC Trojan Marching Band and the USC School of Dramatic Arts. 10/11/25. Magnificent!

Well, the U$C Band can certainly put on a show and they used more technology than the Michigan band, although having the featured actors on the Jumbotron kept shifting focus.

I close with WICKED INSPIRED SHOTS by The Shot Queen.


Drink responsibly and stay tuned for one more Halloween post plus a bonus Day of the Dead entry. Trick or treat!

A marching music May the Fourth for Star Wars Day from Star of Indiana, the USC Band, and the Disneyland All-American College Band

Happy Star Wars Day and May the Fourth be with you! For this year's celebration, I'm returning to drum corps after a decade with May The 4th Be With You (ft. Star of Indiana 1986) from Sforzando.

Happy May 4th!

Enjoy some Star Wars music by Star of Indiana!

I left the first comment on the video: "Thank you for providing some drum corps Star Wars content on Star Wars Day. I love my 1978 North Star, but I wanted to hear another corps take on the material today."

While I don't love the USC Trojan Marching Band — I went to UCLA — I do love The Mandalorian.

The USC Trojan Marching Band performs the theme from "The Mandalorian" at halftime on Sept. 4, 2021. The soundtrack to the Disney+ hit was composed by USC alumnus Ludwig Göransson.

This is the way.

I conclude the musical portion of today's post with Star Wars Medley - First Day Disneyland Resort 2016 All-American College Band.


That's quite good for the first day.

Stay tuned for a retrospective of the top posts on Pinterest tomorrow for Cinco De Mayo on Flashback Friday. I have spoken.

May World Kindness Day falling on Friday the 13th make the day luckier for everyone

I told my readers to "stay tuned for Friday the 13th. May it not be an unlucky day!" It turns out today is also World Kindness Day, so it could be less unlucky for the recipients of generosity and affection than it otherwise would have been. Here's what National Day Calendar says about the day.

On November 13th, as part of World Kindness Day, we are encouraged to spread kindness like an infectious cold. We want to share it more than usual because studies show when others observe kindness in action they are more likely to carry out an act of kindness, too.
...
We each have the potential to improve each others’ lives through understanding and kindness. Whether it’s a friend, family member, coworker or stranger, our ability to show our humanity should have no limit.
...
On World Kindness Day, let your compassion shine brightly. Get caught showing as much kindness as possible, too.

While I think telling people to "spread kindness like an infectious cold" is unfortunate wording given the COVID-19 pandemic, I agree with the sentiment. So do the producers of the following three videos. I begin with A Message From Fred Rogers #WorldKindnessDay.



The music is from "Won’t You Be My Neighbor?" I believe the clip is, too. If so, it shows the power of that documentary and of Mister Rogers' legacy, which happens to be the name of the YouTube channel that posted it.

Continuing with movies, MuggleNet uploaded On World Kindness Day, Practice Some of the Values Found in the Harry Potter Series.



I've written twice before about the lessons Harry Potter can teach people. May the third time be a charm, pun intended.

I'm concluding the movie theme with the following advertisement disguised as a public service announcement, BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC - World Kindness Day from Orion Pictures.

Keanu Reeves & Alex Winter want to remind you: Be excellent to each other today and every day! Happy #WorldKindnessDay, dudes!

That was both clever and on-brand. I hope it makes as many people be kind today as Orion Pictures hopes watch the movie after viewing it.

To observe today's other special day, I'm sharing Superstitions: Why is Friday the 13th Scary?

Why, in the West, are people scared by the number 13? And why do we consider Friday the 13th to be a particularly unlucky day?

As a UCLA alumnus, it kills me to share something from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, but my alma mater didn't create a video about today, the University of Southern California did, so they get the honor. Consider it an act of kindness to the Trojans.

That's it for today's double celebration. Stay tuned for two more holiday observances, World Diabetes Day tomorrow and America Recycles Day Sunday.