For performing on Friday nights and more, the Marching Greyhounds have multiple things to get excited about headed toward August. The week began with various work on their musical and visual elements, leading into this past Tuesday’s friends and family night.
This will be the third year for Sean Cleland at the helm of the Marching Greyhounds and fifth within Jones County overall.
“The freshmen and sophomores from Gray Station are special to me because I started with them. Their first day with an instrument was with me, so I feel like I have grown up with them,” Cleland said. “The seniors were eighth graders when I came in. In years past, I couldn’t just tell our drum majors to run a basic block and be successful with it like they are now.”
This year’s on-field show performed by the Greyhounds is titled “Legendary,” inspired by the “Creed” and “Rocky” movie series, according to Cleland, who added that the start of the on-field show will begin with the formation of a boxing ring with a color guard captain playing the role of contending fighters on the quest to be a legendary fighter.
“The idea was to play music that the kids can have fun with, the crowd on Friday night will enjoy and something we can take on Saturdays and compete with on a high level,” Cleland said.
In addition to performing on Friday nights and in marching competitions this fall, the Marching Greyhounds have another exciting item on the schedule to look ahead to – performing as part of the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl Dec. 28 in Orlando. The game was among the most-talked about bowl games last year as a result of its edible mascot that was eaten by players from the winning team after the mascot was lowered into a giant toaster.
“With college football, it’s easy to get kids excited about it from day one,” Cleland said. “I was talking to the agent about doing what used to be the Outback Bowl, but when I saw the game, the Pop Tart mascot and said, ‘we have to do that.’ They’re jazzed about it.”
