This is NOT your high school marching band

Time to brush off that saxophone and show some spirit! The newly formed Brandeis Marching Band is getting to work on some spunky tunes to liven up this seasons basketball games and campus events. Theyre working on pep band favorites including YMCA, Rock and Roll Part II (also known as the Hey Song), Tequila, We Will Rock You and the Chicken Dance. Student Ben Pernick has arranged the Rocky Theme for the group and Amelia Liphardt has composed a Brandeis Fight Song.
The Brandeis Marching Band was chartered this year by the Student Union. The group currently numbers between ten and twenty, depending on other groups rehearsals. Their third rehearsal was a bit sparse due to a competing rehearsal of the jazz ensemble for Seussical. When not otherwise enriching the sound of Brandeis, they rehearse Monday nights at 9 p.m. in Ziv commons under their own direction.

Trees and Medow honored

Two Brandeis athletes were rewarded this week for their individual efforts volleyball captain Shannon Trees 08 and veteran goalkeeper Betsy Medow 08 each won defensive player of the week honors. Their defensive talents helped give volleyball and soccer strong performances for the week.

This week in sports

Baseball
Lou Piniella signed a three year deal to manage the Chicago Cubs.

Rookies shine in swim opener

Brandeis swimming faced off against division one opponent, Boston College. BC came out on top , defeating the Brandeis men 112-141 and the women 117-141. Nonetheless, the Judges came in undaunted and left with a similar feeling. As co-captain Matt Lerman 07 explained, We were really excited, this was a big meet for us considering that it was a division I team and the first meet, I think everyone rose up and did well.

Golf takes 10th at NYU Violet Classic

Braving the relatively chilly weather, the Brandeis Golf Team competed at New York University this past Saturday and Sunday. The Judges were able to place 10th and 11th at the Violet classic on what they considered to be a relatively difficult course. This competition comes toward the end of their season as they used this tournament to prepare for the big championship meets in the future.

Breakin it down at the Main Event

What beams with the pride of flags waving, educates us in rhyme and verse, and pulses with tangos yearning? What commands with flamencos exquisite urgency;

rivals salsas exuberant joy;

and curses loudly with the desperation of the street? It is the struggle to break down the barriers that confine us, and it was the theme of this years Main Event show.

HIV testing coming to the health center

The Health Center will be offering HIV testing the week of the 23rd of October. According to Kathleen Maloney, Nurse Practitioner and Administrator of the Health Center, HIV testing has been in the works for a while now. Part of the reason why it was taking so long to implement is related to the logistical difficulties of offering such a test, one where confidentiality and counseling are major components. The impressive show of campus-wide support for HIV testing last year certainly influenced the decision to prioritize this issue and put the program in place this semester.

The Hoot meets with Flogging Molly

Before the Flogging Molly show here at Brandeis, I got to sit down with bassist Nathen Maxwell and got him to spill a few fun facts and, well, his beer.

Broken scene, but full sound

As an air of confusion and anxiety floated upon the crowd at Levin Ballroom on Monday, October 16, Broken Social Scene slowly made their way on stage for a commanding hour and a half long set. After the surprise cancellation by openers Do Make Say Think lead to an odd-performance by a reggae-centric DJ, the crowd held their stance in front of the stage, as anticipation for the Canadian-bred headliners bubbled over as the first of one of the seven members of the group took to the stage. Although all of the bands dozen-plus members rarely have the ability to tour together, the acts sound was as full and fresh as ever, with founding members Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning leading the collective of friends through a set filled with their best and finest songs.

How much is too much?

Within the theater community, there is a certain tradition. If you have a tryst with someone within the cast or outside of it (sorry, rounding the bases with a steady boyfriend/girlfriend doesnt count), you are then expected to bring in doughnuts and hot details for the rest of the cast the next rehearsal. Ive seen this happen on more then one occasion. I cant help but wonder at what point this tradition of sharing how great a kisser someone is becomes over-sharing?