Madison Reporter

With marching band spirit and classic Wisconsin scenery, UW–Madison’s new TV spot highlights a far-reaching impact on the state

September 3, 2024 By Preston Schmitt For news media More information

UW alum and former UW Marching Band member Rob Ancheta plays a bass drum in a steamfitters training facility in Madison as part of a UW–Madison institutional ad campaign titled “Band Together” on Aug. 9. Photo: Bryce Richter

Wisconsinites love the UW Marching Band. They sing and dance to the band’s iconic tunes, whether it’s at a Badger Game Day in Madison, a special halftime show at Lambeau Field in Green Bay or a summer parade in a small town in Wisconsin.

This strong bond between the band and its statewide fans is the creative inspiration behind UW–Madison’s new TV spot, “Band Together.” The 30-second ad highlights the university’s deep-rooted, far-reaching impact on the state, represented by UW Marching Band ambassadors performing “On, Wisconsin!” in various real-world settings. A trumpeter serenades a herd of Holstein cows in an open farm field; a euphonium player greets patrons of a small business; a drummer beats to the rhythms of an industrial plant; and a tuba player hits low notes from a school classroom.

The ad's message emphasizes that every day, UW–Madison collaborates with Wisconsinites to improve life for all.

“We’re proud to help farmers cultivate healthy food and landowners preserve and maintain forestland,” the voiceover says. “We’re proud to educate the next generation of teachers and drive groundbreaking medical research.”

The spot aired for the first time as the Badger football team opened its season on Friday. It will run during televised sporting events throughout the year. Produced by UW’s Office of Strategic Communication and Madison-based Hiebing agency, it marks the launch of a larger statewide outreach campaign reinforcing UW–Madison's commitment to working together to solve real-world problems affecting all areas of Wisconsin.

“This campaign will amplify what we already know to be true — that UW–Madison is improving lives near and far through our education, research and outreach,” says Diana Harvey, UW’s vice chancellor for strategic communication. “Whether it’s helping farmers improve yields, making progress on Alzheimer’s disease or addressing the rural nursing shortage, we’re working to make Wisconsin the best place to call home.”

Behind-the-scenes details reveal that actual current and former members of the UW Marching Band were featured in "Band Together." These individuals submitted audition tapes for an opportunity to appear in the TV spot.

Tammy Coplien ’86 dusted off her marching clarinet after hearing about auditions. She wore her band alumni T-shirt while her husband recorded her playing “On, Wisconsin!” from their basement — a fully furnished "Badger party den."

“I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to represent UW, the School of Nursing and of course the UW Marching Band,” says Coplien, now a registered nurse at VA hospital in Madison. In front of this hospital she played "On, Wisconsin!" wearing nursing scrubs paired with her marching band hat.

“It was so cool to see my life experiences come together in that moment,” she adds.

To achieve quality sound for this ad composed by Milwaukee-based Tanner-Monagle production company members had their music dubbed over yet maintained perfect rhythm during filming.

“I hope that other alumni and viewers will feel pride similar to mine when taping it," Coplien concludes.

The cast features:

Director of Athletic Bands Corey Pompey

Kyle Stephenson x’25 on snare drum

David Anderson ’74 JD’89 on trumpet

Nicky Arn ’98 on euphonium

Rob Ancheta ’91 on bass drum

Dan Evans ’01 on sousaphone/tuba

Tammy Coplien '86 clarinet