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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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The CSC Eagle Newspaper – Chadron, NE
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Rockin’ the Rockies

Preston Goehring
The Chadron State College band performs the National Anthem Sunday before the Colorado Rockies baseball game. —Photo by Teri Robinson
The Chadron State College band performs the National Anthem Sunday before the Colorado Rockies baseball game. —Photo by Teri Robinson

Performing live for the fans at Elliott Field or the Chicoine Events Center is nothing the CSC Eagle Band isn’t used to. However, what they aren’t used to is playing at a professional sporting event with thousands of people watching.

The CSC Eagle Band traveled to Colorado last weekend to perform during the football game at Colorado School of Mines and also to play the National Anthem at Coors Field for the Colorado Rockies match-up against the San Diego Padres in Denver.

Band Director Sidney Shuler and the CSC Band are escorted through a tunnel by a Colorado Rockies representative en route to Coors Field to play the National Anthem at Sunday’s Rockies vs. Padres game in Denver. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky
Band Director Sidney Shuler and the CSC Band are escorted through a tunnel by a Colorado Rockies representative en route to Coors Field to play the National Anthem at Sunday’s Rockies vs. Padres game in Denver. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky

Cynthia Lee, senior of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, said that she felt more nervous than normal.

“There were a lot more people than we are used to,” Lee said. “We were also performing a pretty important piece (National Anthem) by memory.”

The band, which included about 42 students, was led by Director Sidney Shuler.

“I called about March or April and asked if there was something on a Friday or Sunday that was available,” Shuler said. “It worked out really well because we were able to play at the football game Saturday, then the baseball game on Sunday without having the students miss class.”

The last time the band went on a trip to an away game was two years ago, when they traveled to Dallas to play at the football team’s game against West Texas A&M at AT&T Stadium.

“I had more time to plan for this trip, we had a chance to pair what was going on Saturday with the Rockies game on Sunday,” Shuler said. “We were able to support the football team and show the spirit and loyalty to Chadron State College, and show ourselves off and market ourselves as well. We showed thousands of people at Coors Field and are now online, so anyone can see us and possibly look us up. It also gives the alumni an extra level of pride in where they went to school.”

Brendon Coward, left, freshman of Alliance; Tom Frear, center, senior of Columbus; and Jack Royals, right, sophomore of Rapid City, drummers of the Eagle Band play during the National Anthem Sunday at the Rockies-Padres game at Coors Field in Denver. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky
Brendon Coward, left, freshman of Alliance; Tom Frear, center, senior of Columbus; and Jack Royals, right, sophomore of Rapid City, drummers of the Eagle Band play during the National Anthem Sunday at the Rockies-Padres game at Coors Field in Denver. —Photo by Jordyn Hulinsky

“Getting to perform the National Anthem at the Rockies game was an experience that I will never forget,” Lee said. “Seeing everyone in the crowd stand up, take their hats off, and sing along to it was an incredible feeling that will stick with me forever.”

Lee said that she also played with the band when they traveled to Dallas, but the Rockies game was a better experience.

“Not only did we get to play for a professional baseball team, but we also got to perform a piece of music that is so important to both our country and our people,” Lee said.