Members of the Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band recently performed their annual indoor show in the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex (SJAC).
This hour-long show on Nov. 11 included multiple different pep tunes and songs to highlight the band’s 2025 season.
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and “Defying Gravity” were favorites among the nearly 1,000-person crowd that attended the event in the Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex on the SDSU campus. “Dancing Queen” and “Abracadabra” also drew applause from the audience.
“It’s always super exciting to be able to play for people who genuinely love the music we’re making,” said sophomore trumpet player Leif Peterson, one of the about 300 musicians who made up the band.
Sophomore drum major Emma Ackerman talked about how her experience in her leadership role differs from that of a rank-and-file pride player.
“Getting to experience this performance from the perspective of a drum major, I can really feel proud of all the energy and hours of work that each Pride member has dedicated to making this band flourish,” she said.
The band gets to play indoors only once a year, which brings some differences in performing outdoor shows.
“Performing indoors is always fun,” Peterson said. “It’s easier to hear every part, versus just hearing the instrument section you’re in.”
Kevin Kessler, director of The Pride, also talked about how the SJAC differs from performing in the Dykhouse Stadium.
“The field in the SJAC is shorter, but otherwise lined exactly like the field in Dana J. Dykhouse stadium,” Kessler said. “The biggest difference is how we sound inside the SJAC. It is a very resonant space, so the listening experience is very different for the performers inside. “
Aside from performing crowd favorites, the show also featured fourth- and fifth-year members of The Pride. Kessler talked about the opportunities that these students have experienced throughout their years in The Pride.
“Perhaps no other class performed in more significant events and locations than this one,” he said. “The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, two FCS National Championship football games, a performance in a Major League Baseball stadium and numerous home FCS playoff games.”
As the 2025 Pride season came to a close, there are still plenty of exciting events to look forward to.
Said Kessler: “We’re looking forward to having a pep band at the Summit League Volleyball Tournament. Both basketball teams are off to a great start, so we’re hopeful that we’ll get to accompany them to NCAA tournaments.”
