By CURT HARLER
There will be a new look to Beaver Stadium for the 2026 season and the Blue Band already is preparing to add its sparkle to the facility.
Pre-game, of course, will look the same with its fast-paced entrance and Floating LIONS. But what will the sound be like in the new architecture of Beaver Stadium? Will the sound be deadened? Sharper? Echo around the stadium?
“We know the changes will change our sound,” says Dr. Greg Drane, director of athletic bands. He will not know how or how much until the Band actually plays there with a full house. “Even the temporary stands (last year) changed our sound. We’ll be making adjustments moving forward,” he expects.
This year marks both the 125th anniversary of the Alma Mater and the enrollment of the one-millionth student at Penn State. Halftime shows will reflect that.
In fact, at Homecoming alums can expect those landmarks to be part of the halftime presentation.
Although none of the season’s shows are set in stone, Dr. Drane says they have a pretty good idea of what the Blue Band will be doing. As he spoke to ABBA in late June, they were in the middle of finishing up the third year of the Band’s high school program. This year, 230 high school students participated.
Things will kick off for the Blue Band when the Nittany Lions host Marshall at 3:30pm on September 5. The next game is at noon at Lincoln Financial Field in Philly against Temple, followed by another noon game on September 19 at home against Buffalo. Homecoming is September 26 against Wisconsin (details for ABBA members will follow).
While nothing is confirmed on road trips, it stands to reason that the Temple game in Philadelphia will be on the list. Given the number of Penn Staters in the area, Temple is hardly an “away” contest for the football team. And there will be a lot of knowledgeable spectators watching every move the Blue Band makes, every note the Band plays.
There also will likely be opportunities for ABBA Pep Bands to fill in at games where the full Blue Band can not attend.
“There is a lot going on,” Dr. Drane says. “We are waiting on the powers-that-be to answer some of these questions. Moving forward, we are focused on giving the students the best experience we can.”
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
How will the new architecture of Beaver Stadium change the Blue Band’s sound?
