Marching Mizzou will sport a greater number of members than ever, including the largest group of freshmen members on record.

“We have 178 freshmen, so that slows down the learning curve,” Marching Mizzou Director Brad Snow said.

The “Big ‘M’ of the Midwest” has a record 325 members, up from last year’s 249.

One honorary band fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, is in charge of providing water among other things to the band.

“Getting water and other supplies is more difficult logistically,” trumpet section leader Alex Higgins said. “Extra people equals more stuff.”

The increase in size will be especially difficult when the band travels to Ireland in March to play in Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” Higgins said. “When the Wind Ensemble toured China for 10 days, it was a logistical nightmare with 60 people. It will be interesting doing it with 300.”

The band is able to perform in Dublin, thanks to Snow’s personal connections he made when he traveled internationally with the University of Southern Mississippi’s marching band. Snow’s connections in addition to a successful video application earned an invitation for the band.

“There will be bands from all over the world there,” Snow said. “In previous years there had been around 40, and three were from the United States.”

Band members are easily able to see the benefits in the increased size.

“Our section is a lot bigger, which is good because we’re a lot louder,” trombone player Evan Arnold said.

The large number of freshmen will also benefit the band.

“Freshmen are timid and don’t want to play loud but they’ll get comfortable with what they’re doing,” sousaphone player Sara Miller said. “In a month or too, everyone is going to open up and we’ll sound awesome. The sound is so much bigger. More people mean more opportunities.”

Clarinet player Alex Dzurick said the increase of members means there’s a lot of talent to work with. And all this talent will be [working in new band uniforms](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2011/7/6/new-uniforms-provide-fresh-look-marching-mizzou/), which he described as “snazzy.”

Snow said the new uniforms are more contemporary.

“They tie in the Mizzou Gold, have the tiger head logo incorporated and the coat has a slanted ‘M’ on it to represent the Big ‘M’ of the Midwest,” he said.

The new uniforms will be on full display as the band takes part in the many Homecoming events.

“As a band we provide musical support to the Alumni Association events,” Snow said. “This includes playing the pep rally, on the street where the fraternity and sorority house decorations are, at the alumni center and the Homecoming parade and game.”

But perhaps the most important part of the uniform won’t be visible.

During the summer, saxophone players Jeremy Porter and Sean Radcliff [passed away in a car accident](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2011/6/28/strong-friendship-bonds-characterized-lost-marchin/).

“In memorial of them, there is an emblem of two saxophones slanted in the shape of a heart bearing their initials and the words ‘Forever in our hearts’ on the T-shirt the band wears under their uniform,” Snow said.

In addition, there will be a moment of silence before the band plays the Alma Mater at the first football game. A piece was also commissioned for the wind ensemble in their honor and plans are in the works for a memorial bench somewhere on campus.

Marching Mizzou’s first performance of the year will be at the football game against Miami of Ohio on Saturday.