A time-honored tradition

The University of Michigan Marching Band, in collaboration with the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance Department of Musical Theatre and Percussion Studio, performed songs from the Broadway musical and feature film franchise “Wicked” during the halftime show of the U-M vs. Central Michigan University football game Sept. 13.

In celebration of the upcoming release of “Wicked: For Good,” musical selections included: “No One Mourns the Wicked,” “Popular,” “Dancing Through Life,” and “Defying Gravity.”

Known for their celebration of a wide spectrum of diverse artists and musical genres, the MMB “reflects and honors the evolving landscape of American culture,” says John Pasquale, director of Michigan Marching & Athletic Bands. “In doing so, we not only entertain our audiences but also spark conversations around music’s ongoing role in shaping and representing our shared cultural identity.”

Pasquale sees the marching band as “a cultural bridge that connects time-honored collegiate traditions with the energy and innovation of modern pop culture,” as evidenced by their past performances spotlighting Beyoncé to Game of Thrones; Hans Zimmer to Lizzo; or James Bond to New Orleans jazz with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

A cultural bridge

‘Their talent is simply unparalleled’

The Michigan Marching Band is made up of 371 students from U-M’s three campuses: Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint. This is the third time the band and the Department of Musical Theatre have collaborated on a halftime performance. Previously they performed “Broadway,” during halftime of the 2016 Michigan vs. Penn State football game, and “Places Where We Sing,” during the 2022 Michigan vs. UConn football game.

“The opportunity to collaborate with students from the Musical Theatre Department, as well as our outstanding Percussion Studio, is truly extraordinary — their talent is simply unparalleled,” Pasquale says. “Showcasing such exceptional artistry on the field, in the largest football stadium in the U.S., underscores the central role that the arts play on our campus.”

And the feeling is mutual. One of the soloists voicing Elphaba, U-M junior Zee Happonen, called the collaboration “such a rewarding experience.”

“They are so precise and never miss a beat — always on top of things,” Happonen says of the marching band. “Nothing is more magical than when artists come together and share what they love. Personally, that’s the feeling I get when performing with the band: We’re creating music, magic, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for ourselves and for everyone watching.”

Talent show

The September 2025 performance followed the MMB’s September 2023 halftime performance of “Defying Gravity” ahead of the first “Wicked” film release.

Michigan Marching Band Leadership

• John Pasquale is the director of the Michigan Marching & Athletic Bands and holds the Donald R. Shepherd Professorship in Conducting at U-M.
• Richard Frey is the associate director of the Michigan Marching & Athletic Bands.
• Joan Noble-Pruett is the director of the Michigan Flags.
• Chuck Ricotta is the director of the Michigan Drumline.

Department of Musical Theatre Leadership

• Cynthia Kortman Westphal is chair of the Department of Musical Theatre and the Arthur and Martha Hearron Endowed Professor of Musical Theatre.

Percussion Studio Leadership

• Doug Perkins is an associate professor of music and director of percussion at the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

Creative Team for “Wicked”

• Musical arrangements are by Jason DeBord, Richard Frey, Matt Jordan, and Chuck Ricotta.
• Flag choreography is by Joan Noble-Pruet.
• Musical Theatre choreography is by Sean McKnight, with assistance by Raja Benz.
• Drill is by Corey Jahlas.

Musical Theatre Soloists

• Christine Chupailo
• Bella Denissen
• Maddie Dick
• Vanessa Dominguez
• Zee Happonen
• Sofia Maldonado
• Emily Murakami
• Caroline Patterson
• Tsumari Patterson
• Gabriel Sanchez
• Nicholas Wilkinson
• Anderson Zoll

Musical Theatre Student Performers

• Lleyton Allen
• Zoltan Berencsi
• Oliver Boomer
• Archie Bracegirdle
• Burke Brickner
• Nova Brown
• Zuri Clarno
• Aliyah Douglas
• Ezra Frazier
• Riley Hahn
• Quincy Hampton
• Rhett Hemingway
• Lyd Herrera
• Sutton Kaylor
• Kristabel Kenta-Bibi
• Logan Krushinski
• Ty Lam
• Kevin Ludwig
• Elle Michaels
• Tiffany Nagano
• Kate Player
• Fabi Rihl
• Natasha Rodriguez
• Drey’von Simmons
• Aaron Syi
• Kiran Szymkowiak
• Sage Taylor
• Ella Thomas-Montgomery
• Landon Wouters

Percussion Studio Student Performers

• Will Dahle
• Jack Hustead
• Brenna Lantz-Lewis
• Faye Lu
• Aidan Marckel
• Karl Reuterbusch
• Melody Tang
• Jonathan Wentzel

(Lead image: The University of Michigan Marching Band, alongside U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance musical theatre students and percussion studio students perform selections from “Wicked” at halftime of the Sept. 13, 2025, football game against Central Michigan University. MMB spells out “Wicked.” Image courtesy of the Michigan Marching Band.)