November 13, 2025

Two concerts planned to celebrate return of Ferris State’s marching band, raise funds to support students

The Ferris State University marching band is back in formation and playing in tune, with two special events scheduled this month to highlight its historical return. 

The student musicians will perform at a “Marching Band in Review” concert, scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. in the Williams Auditorium. Then Vintage Vibes, a band made up of music veterans who toured with some of the industry’s biggest stars, is set to perform at its concert on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. at the Auditorium. 

Following a 30-year hiatus, the marching band celebrated its inaugural season during the 2025 fall semester. 

Director of Orchestra and Director of Athletic Bands Dan Atwood was a catalyst for the band’s revival.  

“What got us back to this point is the community and President Pink,” Atwood said. “Students, for the last several years, have been talking about bringing it back. With President Bill Pink announcing this as a goal a year ago, all the stars aligned. 

“For me, this is the second time creating a college marching band program,” Atwood said. “The most exciting thing is seeing the community and family that the students are creating with this program.”

Pink championed the return of the band, stating that it is an important part of the campus experience. 

“We are excited about the fact that we’ve got the right people, who are ready to embark upon the new iteration, the new version, of the Bulldog marching band,” Pink said during an announcement video. 

Atwood agreed that having a marching and pep band to create a thrilling atmosphere at athletic events is important, but he says other top priorities were also in mind.  

“As a musician and college educator, it’s about more than just being at a football game,” Atwood said. “This is a place where students come to connect, and even disconnect, to have a sense of belonging and have a space that’s creative.”

With over a three-decade pause for the marching band, building a strong group of musicians wasn’t guaranteed. Atwood noted that goal was to have at least 55 students join the program in its first year back.  

Not only was that mark surpassed, the projection for year two was also beat. 

“Our goal was 55 students for this first year, and we’re now up to 78 since band camp,” Atwood said. “Year two was 75… and now we’ve had to readjust, and we’re hoping to hit triple digits next year.” 

After appearing at several main campus events in Big Rapids and the West Michigan Whitecaps’ final home game this year, Atwood says the group will remain busy during the offseason to sharpen their skills and stay prepared for the next big event. 

This includes a special, first-ever event before the end of the fall semester: the Marching Band in Review concert. This consists of the senior drum major passing their cords to the junior drum major and next year’s drum major receiving their first-ever set of collegiate cords. All three drum majors will then conduct musical pieces together for the first time.

Marching Band in Review is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. in the Williams Auditorium. 

A week later, Vintage Vibes will play at its second-annual rock and roll concert with proceeds supporting the band. The group consists of Atwood and other Ferris State faculty and alum, including Matt Moresi, Max Griffith, Bob Craig, and Zach Potter. 

“This fundraiser will help offset costs and help with other things for the marching band, and our group will perform a lot of hits from certain musicians and groups,” Atwood said, while mentioning The Temptations, The Monkees, and more. “Last year’s show was ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, so we’re adding another decade, the ‘80s, this year and will keep expanding each time we hold this concert.” 

Vintage Vibes is set to perform at its concert on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. in the Williams Auditorium. 

Both events are free of charge, as donations to support the marching band can be made on site at each concert.