The Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band (SON) is rolling the dice this fall with a new halftime production titled “Winner Takes All.” This year’s show brings a flash of Las Vegas energy to the field—complete with dramatic visuals, bold music moments and a high-stakes casino theme that has both performers and audiences hooked from the first note.
Trevor Bailey, a Northwestern State University of Louisiana graduate and former baritone player, serves as the assistant band director. Bailey has been with the SON for two years and said that working with them feels like being at home in more ways than one.
“They have been so welcoming, not only from the administration of Northwestern State, but my faculty, colleagues and the students,” he said.
This year’s production combines showmanship and precision. The performance is filled with glitzy music, bold choreography and a touch of risk and reward that mirrors its casino theme.
“Winner Takes All” is a show about the life of a casino gambler. “In Louisiana gambling is a big thing. Gambling has a lot of drama, a lot of energy, a lot of heartbreak. It’s flashy, there’s music, there’s costuming. From an emotional standpoint, there’s a lot of big ups and big downs, and our show shows how to handle both sides of that,” Bailey explained.
The show is nothing short of exciting. “It’s fun, dramatic and has great storytelling,” Bailey described.
The show features a plethora of songs that tie together the themes of gambling. The band performs Billie Eilish’s “When the Party’s Over,” Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer,” Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face,” Kenny Rodgers’ “The Gambler,” DJ Khaled’s “All We Do is Win,” Beyoncés’ “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Donna Summers’ “She Works Hard for the Money” and Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” for their theatrical ending.
Among those shining on the field is Cadyn Green, a freshman hospitality and tourism management major and proud member of Demon Heat Color Guard. For Green, the experience has been nothing short of inspiring.
“The show is really special, in more ways than just one,” Green said. “I love being in the NSU band, they’re all so amazing. Everyone is a family, and we’re all contributing to this to make it look nice.”
This year is especially important for the SON. For the first time ever, the band is raising the bar by incorporating a live singer to the show. Kat Wilkinson, a graduate student of the Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts, is bringing contemporary vocals to the field after winning state and regional awards during her time at NSU.
“My favorite thing is definitely getting to see the audience get excited during our performances. Hearing the sound of the band hitting me in the back while I’m singing is invigorating,” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson developed her love for music very early in her life, and has marched for the SON for four years, and her vocals are bringing a unique and enthralling presence to the band.
Whether you’re in the stands, on the field or marching along in the band, one thing’s certain, the SON knows how to play to win. The last day to see the SON perform their halftime show is Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Turpin Stadium.
