Dear Notre Dame Band Family,
Summer is when the Band of the Fighting Irish transitions from Band 179 to Band 180. We say thank you to the graduating class, while simultaneously building up excitement to welcome new members in the fall.
See the Summer Band News for highlights of the 2024-25 school year. In September the band played for the inauguration of Notre Dame President Fr. Robert Dowd, C.S.C. That weekend included ND’s New Orleans Brass Band performing with Jon Batiste. Our Varsity Basketball and Hockey Pep Bands supported our teams throughout their seasons, and in March traveled to support both basketball teams in their respective ACC tournaments. Around the same time, a Pep Band was assembled to cheer on our Lacrosse teams. In April, the Jazz Bands traveled to Chicago to spread the joy of music to high school students. Our BandLink program provided music education to middle school students, culminating in a spring concert. Our various Section Ensembles produced an impressive showcase in April. Our Concert Bands worked hard to produce beautiful and fun music in both the fall and spring. Our Tour Band visited Michigan and Pennsylvania before departing for performances in Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia to start the summer.
All of this, of course, followed a uniquely historical football season. Our spirits rose along with our ranking as Notre Dame football proved to be among the best programs in the country. Alongside them, we demonstrated that our Band is among the nation’s best while performing with the rock band Chicago and doing a show of Jon Bon Jovi music while he conducted our Victory March. The Marching Band went to the Shamrock Series in New York City and celebrated a victory against Army in Yankee Stadium. A new College Football Playoff structure opened the door for our football team to shine in the postseason, and the Band was right there to support them through it. After celebrating a crushing victory over Indiana University in snowy South Bend, the band celebrated New Year’s with a decisive Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia in New Orleans and a nail-biting Orange Bowl victory over Penn State in Miami. During the FIRST EVER (!!) spring semester football show rehearsals on campus, we prepared our famous Top Gun halftime show for an unforgettable experience in Atlanta at the National Championship.
Band 180 is excited to have another year filled with performances and experiences. Starting with a home opening game against Texas A&M, Notre Dame Football hopes to make another run at the College Football Playoffs. As shown in the Summer Band News, the Notre Dame Band will be with them all the way.
We can’t wait to make some more memories!
Go Irish!
Andrew “VO” VanOverbeke, Band 180 President