The Elon University Wind Ensemble meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:35 - 5:15pm in the band room (room 164 in the Center for the Arts) during spring semester. All Elon students with woodwind, brass, or percussion experience are welcome to join. There are informal seat placement auditions at the beginning of spring semester.
All students interested in performing with the Wind Ensemble should contact Mr. Sawyer at (336)278-5700 or by email at tsawyer@elon.edu.
Rehearsals - The "Fire of the Carolinas" rehearsals are three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:35-5:15 on our band practice field during fall semester. The band also holds short rehearsals on Saturdays before home games.
Band Camp - The FOTC holds a band camp before classes begin each fall. All band members who will be living on campus are able to move into their permanent dorm assignment at the beginning of camp.
Performances - The band's performance schedule consists of 6-8 performances each fall (on average) including home football games, select away football games, and high school marching band exhibition performances.
Class Credit - Each member of the FOTC may receive 1 hour of credit for marching band each fall by enrolling in MUS 109A.
Scholarship - Members of the FOTC receive a $250 participation scholarship for fall semester. Other scholarship opportunities may be available.
DIRECTOR & STAFF
2009 STAFF
Tony Sawyer - director of bands
Stephen Futrell - announcer/vocals/brass
Matt Buckmaster - arranger/brass/design
Ana Buckmaster - drill/brass/design
Tim Wood - band assistant
Christine Martin - dance team
Vivian Ring - colorguard
ABOUT MARCHING BAND
Elon University's marching band, the "Fire of the Carolinas", is a high-energy contemporary marching ensemble that provides spirited performances both on the field and in the stands at all Elon home football events.
Membership is open to all Elon University students with band experience (winds, percussion, colorguard, and dance). FOTC members are from almost every area of study on campus, with over 30 different majors represented each year.
We invite you to learn more about the "Fire of the Carolinas" marching band by browsing this website where you will find pictures, sound files, and video clips, along with plenty of information about the band program. If you have any questions about our program please don't hesitate to contact Mr. Sawyer at (336) 278-5700 or tsawyer@elon.edu.
AUDIO
"Hey Baby"
"Let's Get It Started"
"Let's Win This Game"
"Music of Motown, part 1"
"Music of Motown, part 2"
"Pinball_Wizard"
"Play the Funky Music"
"Vertigo"
DIRECTOR
Tony Sawyer is Director of Bands at Elon University. Prior to his appointment at Elon he was the Assistant Director of Bands and Percussion Instructor at the University of West Georgia from 1999-2003. He also taught percussion at Clayton State University near Atlanta from 1998-1999. In 1993, Mr. Sawyer received his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Kennesaw State University in Marietta, Georgia, and in 1995 he earned the Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Northern Arizona University. While at Northern Arizona he served as the graduate teaching assistant for the NAU bands and percussion studio.
He has performed in Arizona with the Flagstaff Symphony and Flagstaff Festival of the Arts Orchestra, in Georgia with the Macon Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Cobb Symphony, Rialto Orchestra, the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, and in North Carolina with the Elon Chamber Orchestra and the Durham Choral Society. Mr. Sawyer was a member of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps where he was a bass line member (1981) and a member of the snare line (1982-1985). He also served as the front ensemble (pit) arranger and instructor for the Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps in 1993. Mr. Sawyer has served as arranger and instructor for high school and college marching percussion sections across the country for over 25 years.
As a freelance orchestral percussionist and jazz and pop drum set artist, Mr. Sawyer has performed throughout the southeast and recorded with local artists and for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Mr. Sawyer is also active in the music education community through private teaching, consulting, performing, and clinic-services for public and private schools. He maintains an active schedule adjudicating for marching and concert events throughout the United States. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, Pi Kappa Lambda (national music honors society), the College Music Society, the Percussive Arts Society, and the College Band Directors National Association.
