A rainy afternoon did not stop the Panther Marching Band from hosting their first performance of the fall 2020 semester on Friday, Sept. 11. Originally planned to occur in Lawther Field, the performance was moved to the UNI-Dome and was recorded and uploaded to their Facebook page.

Some of the PMB’s favorite pre-game classics were performed, including “Fanfare,” “UNI Fight” and their pregame feature from “Attack On Titan,” “Westward Yo” and “Pregame Finale.” They then went on to preform their UNIted show, which included a rendition of “Come Together” by the Beatles, “We Are Young” by Fun and “Victorious” by Panic! At the Disco.

Proper COVID-19 guidelines were followed by both audience members and the band itself. The different atmosphere did little to worry PMB members.

“Performing in a world with COVID has been a big change,” said PMB member Kathryn Rech. “A big part of the PMB is the marching and moving part which we are not doing. We wear masks with holes in them while we play. Instruments have covers over the bells and in bags. We have to socially distance as best as we can. It’s been a bit of an adjustment but everyone in the PMB has taken it super well. We are still getting to come together and play some amazing music. I couldn’t ask for anything else.”

Typically performing during halftime of UNI football games, the decision to postpone the football schedule to spring left questions regarding the state of the PMB schedule. However PMB will continue to host performances throughout the fall semester, and currently plan to host them at Lawther Field.

Panther Marching Band is UNI’s largest student organization, with students from 79 different majors including nearly every discipline and major available at UNI. Their performances mainly consist of home football games and select away games, as well as five different field shows held throughout the season.