New Year’s Day was certainly a busy time for Emily Jacobsen, of Oxford, and her trusty euphonium.
A member of the University of Michigan Marching Band, she began her holiday in Pasadena, California, marching in the 118th Rose Parade then performing during the half-time show at the 93rd Rose Bowl.
Hours later, Jacobsen hopped a red-eye flight back to Michigan with 149 other band members selected to greet the arrival of former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford’s body Jan. 2 at the international airport bearing his name in Grand Rapids.
‘It was a really big honor,? said Jacobsen, who volunteered for the special performance. ‘I was glad I got to take part in it.
A U-M alumunus, Ford, who died Dec. 26, 2006, always remained true to the school where he was a star offensive center on the football team from 1932-35. He was part of two undefeated, national championship teams.
As the late president’s casket was moved from Air Force One to a waiting hearse, the U-M band played ‘Ruffles and Flourishes? and ‘Hail to the Chief? followed by the university’s alma mater song ‘The Yellow and Blue?
‘He had asked that the band be there to perform,? said Jacobsen, a 2004 graduate of Oxford High School. ‘This plan was written up years and years ago.?
A slow and somber rendition of the famous U-M fight song ‘The Victors? concluded the band’s tribute to the late president who helped the nation heal following Watergate and Vietnam.
‘It wasn’t our upbeat, football game (version),? Jacobsen noted.
Ford, who served as the nation’s 38th President from 1974-77, often had the Naval band play the U-M fight song prior to state events instead of the traditional ‘Hail to the Chief.?
This is Jacobsen’s third year with the U-M band playing the euphonium, a member of the tuba family with a slightly higher range and more mellow tone.
She began marching at every home football game during the 2005 season and continued through the 2006 season, also playing away games at Notre Dame and Ohio State.
This was Jacobsen’s first visit to the Rose Bowl with the U-M band, but her second experience performing at a bowl game. Her first was the December 2005 Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.
The band performed its Led Zepplin half-time show at the Rose Bowl, a routine featuring various songs made famous by the 1970s rock band.
Despite the national attention and media hype surrounding the Rose Bowl, Jacobsen said performing there was ‘just like any other football game.?
‘It was a lot of fun, a great experience,? she said. ‘But I’m kind of sad the football team didn’t pull it out.?
The only hard part was marching in the 5?-mile long Rose Parade earlier that day.
‘The parade was very long and tiring, but it was an awesome experience,? said Jacobsen, noting it was the longest distance she had ever marched with a band including her days playing for OHS.
Now in her junior year, Jacobsen’s majoring in history. She’s applying to the School of Education to obtain her teaching certification in social studies and history.