The extravaganza marks the second joint performance of the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem State bands.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest University’s marching band — The Spirit of the Old Gold & Black — and Winston-Salem State University’s Red Sea of Sound will once again unite to launch the college football season as Wake Forest hosts Old Dominion on Opening Night 2021 Friday, Sept. 3 at Truist Field.
As part of Wake Forest Athletics goal to provide the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina, the duo performed together for the first time ever in 2019 before a capacity Opening Night crowd as Wake Forest earned an exciting 38-35 victory over Utah State on the way to an 8-5 season culminating in an appearance in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. The Red Sea of Sound marching band has received widespread recognition over the years for their excellence in performance, featuring thrilling, high energy drum majors, auxiliary cores and top-quality musical composition.
A six-time participant in the prestigious Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta, Ga., the Red Sea of Sound has participated in countless showcases over the years, including the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Ind., the Cleveland Classic and the New York City Urban League Classic. In 2019, the Red Sea of Sound was named the top HBCU marching band in the country by ESPN’s The Undefeated.
The Spirit of the Old Gold & Black is the oldest college marching band in North Carolina and will be making their return to the turf at Truist Field after the COVID-19 pandemic moved the band onto Deacon Hill during the 2020 season.
Although the pandemic prevented the SOTOG&B from performing at the Wake Forest’s fifth-straight bowl game in December, five members were selected for a virtual performance of "End of Time" by Beyonce that was played on the video boards during halftime of the College Football Playoff championship game between Ohio State and Alabama. Seniors Tanner Bailey (snare drum) and Gretchen Boyles (trombone), and three sophomores, Emily McDonald (clarinet), Cole Nikas (tuba) and India Wood (color guard) were selected to be among 1,500 performers from around the country.
Dr. Tim Heath, who is Wake Forest’s Director of Athletic Bands and an Assistant Teaching Professor, joined the Demon Deacons staff three months prior to Wake Forest’s and Winston-Salem State’s historic performance on Aug. 30, 2019. Dr. Michael Magruder, who assumed the duties of Director of Bands at Winston-Salem State University in the fall of 2004, has continued and raised the outstanding tradition of the Red Sea of Sound.
Wake Forest fans can secure their season tickets in DEACTOWN to make sure they do not miss this incredible performance and the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina. Season tickets start as low as $20 per game and can be purchased one of two ways.
QUOTES:
Winston-Salem State University Chancellor, Dr. Elwood Robsinson:
Wake Forest Director of Athletic Bands, Dr. Tim Heath:
Winston-Salem State University Director of Bands, Dr. Michael Magruder:
Wake Forest Director of Athletics, John Currie:
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest University’s marching band — The Spirit of the Old Gold & Black — and Winston-Salem State University’s Red Sea of Sound will once again unite to launch the college football season as Wake Forest hosts Old Dominion on Opening Night 2021 Friday, Sept. 3 at Truist Field.
As part of Wake Forest Athletics goal to provide the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina, the duo performed together for the first time ever in 2019 before a capacity Opening Night crowd as Wake Forest earned an exciting 38-35 victory over Utah State on the way to an 8-5 season culminating in an appearance in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. The Red Sea of Sound marching band has received widespread recognition over the years for their excellence in performance, featuring thrilling, high energy drum majors, auxiliary cores and top-quality musical composition.
A six-time participant in the prestigious Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta, Ga., the Red Sea of Sound has participated in countless showcases over the years, including the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Ind., the Cleveland Classic and the New York City Urban League Classic. In 2019, the Red Sea of Sound was named the top HBCU marching band in the country by ESPN’s The Undefeated.
The Spirit of the Old Gold & Black is the oldest college marching band in North Carolina and will be making their return to the turf at Truist Field after the COVID-19 pandemic moved the band onto Deacon Hill during the 2020 season.
Although the pandemic prevented the SOTOG&B from performing at the Wake Forest’s fifth-straight bowl game in December, five members were selected for a virtual performance of "End of Time" by Beyonce that was played on the video boards during halftime of the College Football Playoff championship game between Ohio State and Alabama. Seniors Tanner Bailey (snare drum) and Gretchen Boyles (trombone), and three sophomores, Emily McDonald (clarinet), Cole Nikas (tuba) and India Wood (color guard) were selected to be among 1,500 performers from around the country.
Dr. Tim Heath, who is Wake Forest’s Director of Athletic Bands and an Assistant Teaching Professor, joined the Demon Deacons staff three months prior to Wake Forest’s and Winston-Salem State’s historic performance on Aug. 30, 2019. Dr. Michael Magruder, who assumed the duties of Director of Bands at Winston-Salem State University in the fall of 2004, has continued and raised the outstanding tradition of the Red Sea of Sound.
Wake Forest fans can secure their season tickets in DEACTOWN to make sure they do not miss this incredible performance and the Best Fan Experience in North Carolina. Season tickets start as low as $20 per game and can be purchased one of two ways.
- Visit GoDeacs.com/tickets and purchase online.
- Purchase via phone by calling the Wake Forest Ticket Office at 336-758-3322 ext. 1 to place their order.
QUOTES:
Winston-Salem State University Chancellor, Dr. Elwood Robsinson:
- "We are delighted that the Red Sea of Sound will once again return to Wake Forest for another Band collaboration. Our last visit created an amazingly positive spirit that permeated the Winston-Salem community."
Wake Forest Director of Athletic Bands, Dr. Tim Heath:
- "It is exciting to bring both the Red Sea of Sound and The Spirit of the Old Gold and Black together for another historic and fun-filled event. This performance will be even more meaningful as both bands will have an opportunity to play together after a difficult year. We hope this event will continue to unite the city of Winston Salem and create long lasting memories for both band programs and their students!
Winston-Salem State University Director of Bands, Dr. Michael Magruder:
- "The members of the Winston-Salem State University "Red Sea of Sound" marching band had a wonderful experience in 2019. We are ecstatic to resume this meaningful musical collaboration with the Wake Forest University "Spirit of the Old Gold and Black" in 2021!"
Wake Forest Director of Athletics, John Currie:
- “The Red Sea of Sound and the Spirit of the Old Gold and Black inspired us all when they performed together for the first time ever on Wake Forest Football’s Opening Night, Aug. 30, 2019. I am thrilled that the collaboration between Wake Forest Director of Athletic Bands Dr. Tim Heath and Winston-Salem State's Dr. Michael Magruder will provide another moment of celebration as we kick-off the 2021 season in DEACTOWN on Opening Night."
