There are some NIU students, like myself, who had so much fun during the football season they are sad to see it go. They enjoyed its excitement; they like being part of a winning team. Now that there are no more home games left, they miss celebrating their school spirit and their pride for their university.

But they don’t have to stop. There is an NIU team that could use support: the NIU Wind Symphony Orchestra.

The Wind Symphony Orchestra, which puts on free concerts numerous times throughout the year, has been an overlooked source of entertainment and outlet for school spirit. Although you’re not going to drink heavily or buy inflatable clappers before this show, this group will make you proud to go to NIU.

The percussion division of the NIU orchestra recently put on a two-and-a-half-hour performance at the Music Building’s Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, which turned out to be a really enjoyable event. The ensemble began with a set called “Heads Up!,” which involved five percussionists creating rhythms on timpani, bass drums heads, frame drums and snare drum heads, as they moved around the stage in a theatrical format. The liveliness, precision and invigorating rhythms of the set were akin to the musical entertainment “Blue Man Group” provides. The three other compositions in the program, followed by an impressive eight-part piece of percussion ensemble literature (which is percussion music composed in correlation with a certain piece of literature), were nothing short of fabulous. The last performance was followed by a standing ovation.

As well as employing a talented percussion section, the entire wind symphony band is itself worth appreciating. It is comprised of students who are truly passionate about their instruments, having pursued majors that pretty much require them to be. And their dedication shows through in their concerts, when their finely honed skills are presented for all to hear. These concerts provide NIU students with the rare opportunity to hear live classical music right outside their door and provide students with the potential for a cheap date. And after the chaos of finals is finally over, treating oneself to a relaxing evening of good music would not be a bad idea.

Unfortunately, these musicians don’t often see much fruit for their labor – they usually get a low turnout for their shows. After spending countless hours perfecting their songs, they end up performing for a meager audience, which is probably pretty discouraging. We should take advantage of this resource for good music and some much-needed culture in our cornfield-immersed county. Shows are easy to get to, since they are right on campus at the Music Building. You missed out this semester, but the next symphony and/or percussion performances start up again in the spring semester.

So as the year wears on, don’t let your Huskie support wane. You may not see a jumping mascot, but an evening in your school’s music-filled concert hall can be just as entertaining as any football game.