Band Records for Recruitment

The microphones were set.

In the center of the chapel sat a table with all the sound equipment. The area around the microphones was empty, waiting for students to show up.

Slowly the band members came in and prepared for a long day of playing.

Charles Thaxter was excited. "I really didn't have any idea of what to expect, as I have never been a part of a recording of this caliber," said the 19-year-old sophomore architecture major from Pepperell, Mass.

The band was a small part of the whole operation that lasted a whole week.

From Feb. 16 to 23, the music programs at Norwich were recorded for the making of a new CD, according to the provisional battalion commander.

"This is not the first time the (music programs have) been recorded; the (music programs have) been recorded several times before on old school formats," according to Alex Mullin, provisional battalion commander, a 21-year-old senior, business management major with a concentration in leadership from Lunenburg, Mass.

The units being recorded were the regimental band, the chorus, bugle squad, the pipe band and the new organ installed in the chapel.

"The purpose of the recording was to create a CD that could be given to perspective students to showcase the skills of the schools, and to give to alumni and donators to thank them for their support," said George Sawyer, 22, a civil engineering major from West Rutland, Vt.

The recording will promote the musical organizations on campus. The recording will "help project the awareness and presence of the regimental band as well as other musical elements here at Norwich, to future cadets, current cadets and faculty, and alumni," said Thaxter.

The band was scheduled two record over two days.

"It's really for prosperity; the band is the oldest colligate band in the nation, we take a certain pride in that. We want to record it for history's sake," said Mullin.

Said Mullin, "People that hear the CD are going to hear all the musical things that are going on at Norwich. It will be a step up form recordings done in the past, so it is something that will be in Norwich's history."

Part of the idea is that recruiters can bring this CD with them when they travel and showcase the school.

"I was glad that I was a part of the recording, and was hoping to get a copy of the recording myself," said Thaxter. "I hope that the hard work of the band and Col. Edwards is enjoyed by all."