The homecoming halftime show at the University of Michigan was dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Spectrum Center, a collaborative space at the school for LGBT students, staff, and faculty. The Spectrum Center enhances the campus climate and provides support services through education, community building, and advocacy. It’s the first U.S. LGBT center to be formed on a college campus.
“We’re celebrating and amplifying this incredible resource that’s available to everyone in Ann Arbor,” The Michigan Marching Band’s website states. “The MMB greatly appreciates the work that the Spectrum Center does for our LGBTQ+ students, staff, and supporters! At the conclusion of our field show, the MMB will travel to the South end zone to play some Michigan favorites with our Alumni Band. You won’t want to miss it!”
The marching band played some pride classics. “I’m Coming Out” by Diana Ross, “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga and “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper were on the set, just to name a few!
Planning and coordinating
John Pasquale, professor of conducting and director of the university’s marching band, spoke to The Advocate about wanting to show support to the Spectrum Center. “I was proud to do it,” Pasquale said. “We just, as a community, came together and there it is…The point we were trying to make is that love is love. And love wins.”
“We are unequivocally supportive of our students and [we] just wanted to make as public of a statement in that regard as possible, and we put the show in the biggest performance venue in the world that day,” Pasquale said. “So, I think it was a pretty strong statement.”
The show took seven to eight months to plan and coordinate. “The concept was also the starting point for him and his team for the rest of the show,” according to The Advocate. “From there, they expanded the concept into the music, marching formations, and visuals. Pasquale said that his team also went to the band’s LGBTQ+ students and asked what songs they resonated with and which were representative of their experiences.”
The members of the marching band were equally as proud to perform their support. “Having the band be so willing to put forth the halftime show like this hopefully is a strong message of hope and love and support…At least from my perspective, it’s been very nice and positive,” said Rachel Zhang, clarinet player and member of the LGBT community.
“This was our week, this was the week for the LGBTQ+ community to feel seen and to feel valued and respected. And it was a really beautiful thing to see,” Zhang continued. She “hopes that people who watched the show see that even at a large university there’s a significant number of people that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community,” according The Advocate.
The response
The Michigan Marching & Athletic Bands’ Twitter was swarmed with support for the performance when they posted “Love is love and love wins! Beyond proud to have brought this show to the field. Video coming Soon! @UMSpectrumCtr”
“My god. Hell, you made this Buckeye fan smile. We may disagree on the field, but here I stand with you. Love wins. May it always be so,” one person replied.
“Love, love, love, love this!!!! Kudos to the University of Michigan Marching Band (the BEST!!) for doing this spectacular rendition on UM Spectrum Ctre of your fabulous support for the LGBTE community!!!!!!!!” said another.
