Collin Sutton has never been out of the United States, so an upcoming trip to London generates its share of nerves.
“I am both excited and nervous. Excited about visiting many famous places, but I am scared I will get lost in London on the Tube,” said Sutton, a sophomore at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Yet being seen worldwide by an estimated 300 million viewers as he and other Marching Mocs perform in London’s New Year’s Day Parade generates more excitement than nerves, said Sutton, who plays tuba/sousaphone in the band.
“I am super-excited to show everyone watching how much the band has improved and how great we sound as a whole,” he said.
Ninety-two Marching Mocs band members will travel to London on Wednesday, Dec. 27, and return on Wednesday, Jan. 3. The parade will be broadcast in the U.S. on PBS stations (WTCI-TV in Chattanooga) starting at 7 a.m. EST.
Photo courtesy of Pam Riggs-Gelasco
Going to London is special to Abbey Bradford for a number of reasons. It’s her first time traveling outside the U.S. She’s a freshman, so it’s a treat to get a chance to travel overseas during her first year at UTC. She’s majoring in business with a concentration in economics, so playing the French horn in the Marching Mocs is all about sheer joy and not part of earning her degree.
“I absolutely love performing with the Marching Mocs,” she said. “I am even more grateful that they opened up the London trip to anyone in the marching band. I cannot wait to experience this once-in-a-lifetime trip with all of my friends in the Marching Mocs.”
The same is true for Dylan Campbell, a sophomore majoring in environmental science with a minor in music who also is making his first trip to another country.
“Even though I am not a music major, I am still a part of this amazing program and I would not have traded anything that led me up to this point,” said Campbell, who held the role of drum major in this year’s Marching Mocs.
Like Sutton, the idea of performing for an audience of millions is not as daunting as one would expect to Bradford or Campbell.
“I’m actually not too nervous about that,” Bradford said. “It’s something about putting on the uniform that takes away all my nerves. It feels like no one is watching just me but the whole band as a unit. I love to perform with the Marching Mocs and I know we’re going to be amazing.”
While acknowledging that he doesn’t think the size of the audience “has hit me yet,” Campbell also believes the skills of the Marching Mocs will settle any nerves he has before the parade starts.
“Contrary to my nervousness, I have full faith in the Marching Mocs to pull off a great and enjoyable show,” he said.
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