Fill the Field — Homecoming 2024

Celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of the
Modern Showband and Silverettes

Thursday, Oct. 17, Friday, Oct. 18, and Saturday, Oct. 19

We encourage Huskie Marching Band and Silverette alumni to join us on October 19, 2024 for the 117th homecoming at NIU. Over a hundred alumni dust off their instruments/flags/dancing shoes and help entertain Huskie fans during the “Fill the Field” event. This is a very special year as it marks the 50th Anniversary of the modern NIU Showband and Silverettes! Former Band Director and creator of the Silverette Dance Team, Michael Embrey ’75, M.S.Ed. ’92, will be participating in the halftime show which is sure to be extra special! We welcome ALL alumni back regardless of today’s performance ability. We have a spot on the field for you!

We are excited to offer Anniversary T-shirt designs to celebrate our milestone for both band and Silverette alumni! These will only be offered this year so order yours today!
 

We hope to see you there on what will be a very special Homecoming!

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

All participating alumni must register in advance. Due to the complexity of the event's performing activities, walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Even if you don’t plan on marching, playing or dancing, you must still register by the deadline for a spot on the field!

Deadline: October 9, 11:59 p.m. CT
 

GAME TICKETS:

All participating alumni must purchase a game ticket in advance to perform on the field. Game tickets for general admission seating in the east grandstand are available at the group rate of $18 each. Band and Silverette alumni are welcome to sit near the band. You’ll need to purchase tickets for yourself and each guest.

Tickets can be purchased online directly through NIU Athletics here, or by calling 815-752-6800 and referencing the Marching Band Alumni Group Offer. 
 

PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES:

For the 17^th year, the Alumni Band and Silverette alumni will perform the entire pregame and halftime show on the field alongside the Huskie Marching Band. The 2024 homecoming activities will include the parade, tailgating, pregame, postgame and halftime, and will feature the following music selections: NIU Fanfare, Hail to the Huskies, Huskie Fight Song, Alma Mater, Star-Spangled Banner as well as the following halftime features: Children of Sanchez, In the Stone and Over the Rainbow.
 

MUSIC:

Pregame music is available in PDF format on the Huskie Marching Band website. Please note that these arrangements might be different from what you played “back then.”

Halftime music PDFs - a link will be included in the confirmation email you will receive after you register. Please print the music and bring it with you. And don’t forget your lyre and flip folder, which you may obtain from your local music store or an online supplier.
 

FUNDRAISING

Throughout our proud history, thousands of dedicated NIU Huskies have marched, played, twirled, and danced in the band, making for thrilling performances, lifelong friends, and countless treasured memories from their days on the field.

“Success in marching band is not just about hitting the right notes; it’s about moving forward together.” In this spirit, 2024 marks our celebration of where it all began, by saluting the 50th Anniversary of the modern NIU Showband and Silverettes!

Just like on the field, it takes concerted effort and support behind the scenes to ensure the Marching Band’s continued success. Each year funds are needed for new instruments, uniforms, music, and travel expenses.

As we celebrate this milestone, we are asking for the support of invested NIU alumni, family, and friends like you to ensure today’s students in “the Pride of the Midwest” can benefit from and continue this same legacy for another 50 years--and beyond!

Please help us do so by donating today, and by sharing this message with your network of family and friends. https://crowdfund.niu.edu/project/43181
 

INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT:

Due to the band’s tremendous growth in recent years, virtually every band-owned instrument is used by current members, so we ask that you provide your own instrument.

Drumline performers can reserve the use of equipment for the day on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Abby Shields at ashields4@niu.edu with your request.

Color Guard performers will have flags provided.
 

STORAGE and Belongings:

Due to limited instrument storage space, performers are encouraged to leave cases and other belongings in their cars or plan other arrangements.
 

UNIFORMS:

Alumni marching band apparel is available for purchase, items will be picked up during check-in before the field rehearsal. Pre-order Band apparel. Pre-order Silverette apparel.

BAND - Participants are encouraged to wear the “official” long-sleeve red T-shirt, the new 50th Anniversary T-Shirt or any other NIU logoed apparel with black pants or jeans.

SILVERETTE UNIFORM: Alumni Silverettes may wear any black alumni T-shirt, sequined jacket or tank purchased previously or the new 50th Anniversary T-Shirt with black pants (yoga, performance leggings or black jeans) and black footwear. Metallic 6-inch silver poms are needed for both pregame and halftime performances. If you still have them from previous alumni performances, please bring them. If you need to purchase them, please contact Cheryl Ringler, Marching Band Alumni Council president and current Silverette alumni representative at cleargraphics@comcast.net. As soon as the choreographer uploads the halftime routine to YouTube, the link will be posted on the “NIU Silverettes Alumni-Official” Facebook group page and a video link will be sent via email.

SECURITY: 

Per the NIU Athletics policy, only performing members with wristbands may come onto the football field for rehearsal, pregame and halftime. Wristbands are only for staff and performers. Your guests may watch us from the stands, and children younger than age 18 must be supervised by an adult.
 

PARKING:

Event parking is available at the Convocation Center parking lot. The Convocation Center parking lot is general parking. Please refer to the Huskie Stadium Fan Guide for additional information regarding game-day parking. 

Please note - the Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center and the Chick Evans Field House lots are reserved for NIU Foundation donor parking. Anyone parking in those lots must have a valid donor parking pass displayed.
 

ALUMNI SOCIAL:

Once again this year we will host a social event at Mission's Grove! The event will take place after rehearsal on Saturday. This is the perfect opportunity to relax and relive stories from "your time in the band." All performers, friends and family are invited. We will have a dedicated tent for Marching Band Alumni. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. 
 

SCHEDULE:

Please see the schedule below. Saturday’s schedule is based on a 2:30pm game time but this could change. The final schedule will be emailed to registrants and posted on the Alumni Band website a few days before homecoming.
 

Thursday, Oct. 17

• 4-7:30 p.m., Huskie Homecoming Block Party, Local fans, students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to join the Huskies for a down home celebration in downtown DeKalb. The Huskie Homecoming Block Party has something for everyone - kidzone, classic car show, March of the Huskies, pep rally, food trucks, discounts at local businesses and much more!

• 6 p.m., March of the Huskies Parade, alumni are welcome to gather and march in the parade which will take place during the Huskie Homecoming Block Party. If you plan to march in the parade, please register so we know how many to expect.

Friday, Oct. 18

• 7-9 p.m., Mandatory Silverette alumni practice, Details and location to be determined and will be emailed and posted on the Silverette Alumni Facebook page. To perform the routine on homecoming, alumni must attend this crucial practice.

Saturday, Oct. 19 - Game Day 

• 8 a.m., Welcome and Sign-in: Band and Silverette alumni sign-in and welcome opens at southeast gate to the stadium.

• 8:30 a.m., Rehearsal in Huskie Stadium. ALL PERFORMERS. Band and Silverette alumni and current HMB combined REHEARSAL at Huskie Stadium. We will run through the music and review the schedule and logistics for the day. To ensure that Saturday’s activities proceed without difficulty, Dr. Bough and the council request that all who are performing any portion of the event attend the rehearsal.

• 10:30 a.m., Rehearsal dismissed. 

• 11:30 a.m., Alumni Social. Once again this year, we welcome all alumni, friends and family to Mission's Grove. Information about this event is provided above. 

• 12:30 p.m., Huskie Preview (optional): Band and Silverette alumni are invited to perform with the Huskie Marching Band at the Huskie Band preview mini-concert, located north of the Chessick Practice Center, or at The Yard, west of Huskie Stadium.

• 1 p.m., Perform at The Yard (optional).

• 1:45 p.m., Perform the Fight Song at "Mission's March" (optional): south of the Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center.

• 1:50 p.m., Pregame call time: The band and Silverette alumni will join the band and will enter Huskie Stadium from the southeast.

• 2:05 p.m.: The pregame show starts.

• 2:30 p.m., Kickoff: Band and Silverette alumni and their guests are welcome to sit in the east grandstand with the band during the game. All band and Silverette alumni and guests must have tickets.

• Approximately 4 p.m., Halftime: Silverette alumni perform their halftime routine and all Band and Silverette alumni are invited to join the current band in performing the Huskie Fight Song while marching off the field at the end of the halftime show.

• Approximately 6:30 p.m., Post-game performance (optional): Band and Silverette alumni are invited to join the band on the field to perform the halftime music.