Editor’s note: Author Ryleigh Ulen, a freshman Public Relations major from Union City, Tennessee, is a member of the Aviators Marching Band.
No gameday at UT Martin is truly complete without the Aviators Marching Band.
Also known as the AMB, the band is one of the most prominent aspects of the UT Martin game day experience. Along with the Aviators Color Guard, the Cheer Team and the Skyhawks Dance Team, the AMB is responsible for creating gameday spirit
and keeping the crowd involved in the game.
For the Aviators, game day goes far beyond a single halftime show. As the group first arrives at the stadium, they perform multiple tunes for tailgaters and fans entering the stadium. The AMB then takes the field for the pregame show, a roughly 10-minute-long performance that ends with members creating a tunnel for players to enter through. During the game, the AMB can be found in the stands cheering the team on and playing pep songs for the crowd.
For halftime, the Aviators Marching Band presents two field shows each season. Show No.1,
titled “Music from the Windy City”, features songs written by artists from Chicago and songs that have connections to Chicago. Show No.2, titled “From the Stage and Screen,” highlights songs featured in various movies and TV shows over the years.
But gameday is not the only time the Aviators can be seen in action. The group often participates in events such as the Tennessee Soybean Festival parade, campus events like Quad City and community events such as exhibition performances at local high school marching band competitions.
It’s not hard to see how important the Aviators are to UT Martin and the surrounding community, but most people do not understand how special the group truly is.
Few people know the Aviators Marching Band better than Clara Kallaos, a junior Music
Education major from Lebanon, Tennessee. She serves as one of two drum majors for the Aviators, and her leadership position allows her to truly appreciate the people inside the group she leads.
“One of my favorite parts of being in the Aviators is seeing everyone’s different personalities start to show as the season goes on. Around the end of band camp, everyone is getting more comfortable with each other and the dynamic of the marching band really begins to show. Every single member of the band has something that they add to the group, and I think that is so special!” Kallaos said.
The community within the Aviators gives members a place to be themselves and take a break from the stresses of college while doing something they enjoy. For many members, the adrenaline from performing with the Aviators is a reward like no other.
“Something I would want people to know about the AMB is that we love to perform,” said
Kallaos. “The energy exchange between the band and a crowd of people listening is like none other! Even if everyone is breathless and sweaty at the end of a run of the show, I can guarantee that the members of the AMB are walking off the field feeling fulfilled and with a sense of pride.”
The Aviators understand that their unique role allows them to be a direct reflection of UT Martin, and that role is not something that Kallaos or the rest of the group takes for granted.
“As a member of the Aviators, I know that whichever event that we attend, our job is to make it fun, bring the music and bring the energy. The Aviators create a sense of UT Martin pride for students, alumni, community members and anyone in between,” Kallaos said.
Whether they’re seen at a football game, campus event or anywhere else, it’s easy to see why the Aviators Marching Band is a great representation of UT Martin and what the campus stands for.
Students of all majors with a background in marching band and/or color guard are invited to be a part of the Aviators Marching Band. When asked about advice for students considering joining the ensemble, Kallaos again emphasized how fulfilling it is to be a part of the group.
“If you are on the ledge about it, try it! I promise you will be welcomed and fit right in,” she
said.
The 2024 Aviators Marching Band is under the direction of Dr. John Oelrich, director of Bands. Austin Shoupe serves as the percussion instructor and assistant director, and Mary Elise Laman serves as the color guard instructor.
Other staff includes drum majors Clara Kallaos and Lilyan Carter, teaching assistant Hana Elwood and drumline teaching assistant Jalen Ware.
