HOMECOMING 2024: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Mizzou's Homecoming 2024 is the weekend of Oct. 18-20 as the Tigers take on Auburn. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact the board at M2AlumniBand@gmail.com

Reunion Weekend Schedule 2024

Friday, October 18, 2024

4-6 PM - Attend Marching Mizzou Rehearsal - Get the Band Back Together!

The Marching Mizzou Practice Field is located at 1540 Providence Pt, Columbia, MO 65201.
Get a preview of the halftime show against Auburn and meet other M2 alumni and Mizzou community members
Parking is free in the N lot, but please ensure you move your vehicle before 6:30 p.m. to avoid towing.

~5:30 PM - Gary Taylor Scholarship Presentation at Marching Mizzou Practice During Announcements

The endowed scholarship was created by friends and family of former alumni band director Gary Taylor so that future Marching Mizzou students would continue to benefit from Gary's helpful and caring nature. This scholarship provides $1,000 in tuition assistance annually to a member of Marching Mizzou who engages in helpful and caring behavior towards other people.

5:30-8 PM - Friday Night Gathering at The Heidelberg

Join your fellow M2 alumni at The Heidelberg for drinks and food
Address: 410 S 9th Street Columbia, MO 65201
Food & Drink Menu
Note: Food & drink are on your own - We recommend you order drinks at the bar as it will be a packed evening.
Pick up your nametag, polo, and decals

8:30 PM - Homecoming Spirit Rally at Traditions Plaza

Stop by Traditions Plaza as Marching Mizzou and the Golden Girls help us get excited for the Homecoming football game!

Can't make it to Columbia this year? You can still watch the Spirit Rally LIVE from Traditions Plaza!

Saturday, October 19, 2024

6:30 AM - Take the Golden Alumni Shuttle to the M2 Practice Field from Lake Street & Virginia Ave. Intersection

Please park at Virginia Avenue Garage for a free shuttle ride to the M2 Practice Field
April Sansing will pick up our members in our shuttle and will have signs that let you know it’s the M2AB shuttle
We will do a few loops to ensure everyone arrives at rehearsal. M2AB board members will be on the first shuttle to help arrive to set up check-in.
Reminder: Please park early as it will be busy with the parade starting at 8 a.m.

7 AM - Check-In to M2AB Rehearsal at M2 Practice Field

The Marching Mizzou Practice Field is located at 1540 Providence Pt, Columbia, MO 65201.
Please check in near the instrument shed to pick up your name tag, meal card, refreshments, polo and more.
We will be serving donuts and bottled water.
(NEW): Instrument check out: For those of you who are borrowing an instrument, you will be required to sign a contract with the MU School of Music. Please ensure you arrive on the earlier side to give yourself ample time to set up for rehearsal.

7:30 AM - M2 Alumni Band Rehearsal Begins at the M2 Practice Field

Rehearsal Order
- Missouri Fanfare
- Missouri Waltz
- Tiger Rag
- Eye of the Tiger
- Give a Cheer
- Stars & Stripes
- National Anthem
- 3 & 4

8:45 AM - M2 Alumni Band Annual Business Meeting at M2 Practice Field

Agenda
- Call to Order
- Minutes from the previous business meeting
- Welcome - Board President Maddie Hirsch
- Report on M2AB Finances - Board Treasurer Andy Kendig
- Reaffirmation of M2AB Bylaws
- M2AB Hall of Fame 2024 Honoree
- Marching Mizzou Scholarship Committee Report
- Board of Directors Election Results Miscellaneous Announcements
- Next M2AB Reunion Weekend
- Adjournment
Following announcements, we will pack belongings and cases into the instrument truck, which will be locked until after the pre-game performance.

~9 AM - Game Day Meal at the Marching Mizzou Practice Field

Breakfast will be served to those who purchased meals during registration. Game day meals are no longer available for purchase at this time.
Each boxed breakfast will include a breakfast burrito, a whole piece of fruit, a pastry and a bottle of water.
Members who requested meals with dietary accommodations will receive meals that are packaged and labeled separately from these meals. The remaining meals will be set out like a buffet for the participants to grab each meal component and put in a bag.
Reminder: NO alcohol is allowed on the premises at the M2 practice field or Hearnes Center before the performance.

9:45 AM - Section Warm Ups at East Entrance of the Hearnes Center

Please meet Marching Mizzou alumni band members outside the Hearnes Center's east entrance to prepare to line up for the March to the Stadium.
Marching Mizzou Alumni Band will march behind Marching Mizzou in the parade block.

10:10 AM - March to the Stadium with Marching Mizzou

We will stop and have a short performance of 3&4 on Mick Deaver Memorial Drive before proceeding to enter the stadium to prepare for the pre-game performance.
Marching Mizzou Alumni Band members will enter the stadium through entrance 2E.
Please follow Marching Mizzou and make your way to the field to prepare for the pre-game performance.

10:40 AM - Pre-Game Performance with M2

Directly following the performance, please follow the alumni band members toward the east side of the south end zone (towards the student section) to exit the tunnel to walk toward Lot G where we will be parking our instrument truck.

11 AM - Kickoff Against Auburn

11:15 AM - Instrument Check-In Post-Pregame

Please pick up your belongings and cases at this time as we will be moving the truck before the end of the first quarter to ensure Marching Mizzou is able to prepare properly for halftime.
All items after the game will be available at the M2 instrument shed.

HOMECOMING 2024: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Uniform

The Alumni Band official uniform:

● Marching Mizzou Alumni Band Gold Polo

● Black pants/ Black jeans

● Black socks and black shoes

You are encouraged to layer up under or over your polo to stay dry and warm. Black or Mizzou-themed hats and gloves are also welcome! Check the forecast and plan accordingly. We encourage Mizzou colors with all accessories! If you do not have an M2AB polo, please contact m2alumniband@gmail.com.

Instruments

The University of Missouri Band Department will supply the following items to those who will need them:

● Mellophones

● Baritones

● Sousaphones

● Snare Drum

● Tenor Drum (Quads, etc.)

● Bass Drum

● Cymbals

● Flags

Due to limited availability, all horns are on a first-come, first-served basis. Those using borrowed instruments will be responsible for returning them to the proper place after the game. Those needing other instruments not listed should try to locate them through other local sources, such as local schools, music stores, or other Marching Mizzou band alumni. All other items (reeds, valve oil, etc.) are your responsibility.

All members who borrow a school instrument will need to fill out a contract before rehearsal to ensure there is no damage to the university property.

Saturday Game Day Meal

We will be partnering with Marching Mizzou to provide a boxed breakfast meal from HyVee to take with you to eat at the M2 practice field or in the Hearnes Center. Each meal will cost $12.50. Each boxed breakfast will include a breakfast burrito, a whole piece of fruit, a pastry and a bottle of water. If you have any dietary needs, please be sure to include them in the Homecoming registration form by Friday, Oct. 4. All diners will need a meal ticket, which will be available for pick up at check-in on Friday evening or Saturday morning on the back of their nametag.

Golden Alumni Shuttle

If you need transportation assistance, the Golden Alumni Shuttle will be available. This shuttle will also run from Virginia Avenue Garage to the Marching Mizzou Practice Field before the rehearsal on Saturday.

Where do I pick up my polo that I ordered when I registered?

You can pick up your M2AB polos at check-in on Friday night at The Heidelberg or Saturday morning at check-in. If you are unable to attend in person we can make arrangements to ship your polo to you after reunion weekend.

Do we memorize music?

No, but we will provide music in advance if you would like to practice and/or memorize. We will not be providing hard copies of the music on Saturday morning at rehearsal, but we will send the music in advance if you would like to practice and/or memorize. If you did not receive your music, please contact our director, Hadley Haux, at hhaux@sbcglobal.net.

Do I need to provide my own lyre?

We will not be using lyres or music during this year’s pre-game performance, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Where can I park?

You can park for free at various parking garages on campus including Virginia Avenue Garage, Hitt Street Garage, University Garage, and Turner Avenue Garage. For more information about Mizzou Game Day parking, please visit this website here.

We encourage you to arrive early as parking fills up quickly on game days, especially before the parade.

Is there an official place to reunite with other Marching Mizzou alumni on Friday night? Yes. We will be at The Heidelberg on Friday night from 5:30-8 p.m. CST.

What if it rains or snows?

You are encouraged to layer up under or over your jacket to stay dry and warm. Black, gold or Mizzou-themed hats and gloves are also welcome! Check the forecast and plan accordingly.

Do I need a ticket to the game to perform during pre-game?

You do not need a ticket to enter Memorial Stadium with the alumni band for the performance, but you will if you plan to attend the game as a fan. Marching Mizzou Alumni Band registration does not include tickets for the Mizzou-Auburn football game. Registration fees cover other aspects of the reunion including participation in the pre-game performance, game-day snacks, instrument rentals, polos, etc.

We have a block of tickets available that you can purchase during registration and will be behind the band in section 110. They are currently $80 each. Tickets are sent a few days in advance via Mizzou Athletics.

How much do we actually play or march?

Marching Mizzou Alumni Band will perform alongside Marching Mizzou during pre-game for the entire show.

Is there child care?

Not at this time.

Do we stay for the whole game?

You do not need to stay for the entire game unless you choose to attend the game as a fan with a ticket.

Do I have to enter with the band?

Yes, you will enter with Marching Mizzou in section 2E. Since we don’t pass out individual tickets for our group seating in the stands, we all need to enter together.

Do I have to sit with the band during the game?

No, we will not be performing in the stands with Marching Mizzou. All members must have a ticket to re-enter the game.

What should I bring?

Good memories, a good set of lungs, a water bottle, sunscreen, black pants, black shoes, and your jacket (if needed for the weather). Don’t forget your instrument (unless you are borrowing one that is!).

Am I allowed to drink alcohol when participating in Marching Mizzou Alumni Band?

Alcohol is prohibited on the Marching Mizzou practice field and when interacting with Marching Mizzou. We are still representing Marching Mizzou, Mizzou Athletics, and The University of Missouri; therefore, you must wait until after the Marching Mizzou pre-game performance.

What happens if something happens suddenly and I can’t attend?

We know plans can change on short notice. Contact M2AlumniBand@gmail.com as soon as you can. We don’t typically allow refunds but have provided partial refunds on a case-by-case basis.

I’m a new alumnus, how do I make friends?

Start saying hi to people! Encourage your friends to return with you – the more of you that return together each year, the more fun you will have!