New Mexico State’s band kicked off their performance season with their annual Concert on the Green. From Aggie staples to pop hits, The Pride of New Mexico Marching Band Continued its long tradition of elevating school spirit through musical excellence. This years Concert on the Green was held August 22nd on the Corbett Center Outdoor Stage.

The concert began with introductions from new faculty, starting with Associate Director of Bands and Director of The Pride, Dr. Steven Smyth, followed by Director of Bands, Dr. Michael Mapp. Dr. Mapp received his undergraduate at New Mexico State and began the event by recalling his experiences in the Pride over 16 years ago as a freshman saxophone player at his first Concert on the Green.

The Pride performed over 18 different pieces ranging from the traditional NMSU Fanfare and Fight Song to pop hits like “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5 and Ain’t no Mountain High Enough (popularized by Marvin Gaye and Tami Terrell).

“What great work! I’m really proud of what these guys put in over the past two weeks!” said Dr. Steven Smyth, Associate Director of Bands, after the performance.

The Pride announced their pregame and three half time shows that they would be performing throughout the 2017 football season which included a wide array of ensembles.
The pregame will consists of Fanfare, an armed forces medley, the National Anthem, New Mexico March, and the Fight song. The half time shows are entitled “The Final Frontier” featuring space themed music and the second, entitled “Songs you love to Hate,” featuring music by a variety of artist, and the third, entitled “America.”

The Concert on the Green was a sneak peak into the hard work the band has put into making ensuring that all band members are ready to preform this fall season.

“They’re good, but they have the potential to be amazing, and in the next couple of weeks I think they will be.” Drum Major Corey Stevens said. “Today was a pivotal moment for the Pride, and I couldn’t be more proud of our efforts.”

Students can watch The Pride band perform at the Aggie Memorial Stadium at the next home game against the Troy Trojans, September 16th.