Students and homecoming attendees will have a chance to hear former Huskie band members play.

“We’re really looking forward to performing,” said alumni Mike O’Connor.

The alumni band is playing at the homecoming game again this year. Members of the alumni band will play alongside the current NIU band.

“We play with them all day,” said Jill Flanagan, a member of the Huskie alumni band. “Unlike other college bands, NIU’s plays during the whole game.”

This year will be special because the April death of former Huskie band Director Frank Bibb. The band has swelled in numbers to honor Bibb, having about 140 members signed up right now.

“We will play three songs in tribute to him which are ones from his era that the Alums will recognize.” O’Connor said. The songs are called “Corona,” “Give Me Some Lovin’,” and “Softly as I Leave You.”

“I really hope people will stay and listen to the post-game performance,” O’Connor said.

Bibb was director from 1984 to 1996.

Flanagan said he believes his charisma and his ability to make the band members better as a whole than they were as individuals was what made him such an influential person.

“I have mixed emotions,” O’Connor said.

He said felt conflicted because of the loss of Bibb, but glad that so many new people would be joining the band this year. Previous years have only garnered a turnout of 35-44 people. The record turnout this year will be extremely helpful to the growth of the alumni band.

“[The band is] very different, Flanagan said. “It used to be about being loud, less technical, and more powerful.”

Flanagan noted her surprise at the fact that the current band is so much smaller than in her day. In years past the band has numbered over 200; as of now the band has 160 members. With both bands playing together there will be over 300 band members on the field.

“The alumni band appreciates Tom’s support,” O’Connor said. “He has gone out of his way to help.”

The coordination between the Huskie Alumni band, the current band, and the Alumni Association allows this program to go on every year.

Both alumni said they felt the current director of the band Thomas Bough is doing a great job with the band.