Halftime Signatures: Alto saxophonist relishes harmony in tight-knit section
Second-year mechanical engineering student Noah Ashman leads the alto sax section of the UCLA Marching Band. Since last year’s rivalry game was at the Rose Bowl, Saturday’s game will be his first at the Coliseum. (Owen Emerson/Daily Bruin senior staff)
By Lena Schipper
Nov. 24, 2015 1:54 a.m.
In anticipation of the UCLA-USC football matchup Thanksgiving weekend, Daily Bruin A&E features members of the UCLA Bruin Marching Band. Today’s installment profiles Noah Ashman, a second-year mechanical engineering student and alto saxophone section leader.
The UCLA Bruin Marching Band erupted into the tune of “The Mighty Bruins” as the scoreboard flashed the final score: UCLA 38, USC 20. Noah Ashman, a first-year at the time, cheered with the other alto saxophone players before engaging in playful banter with a friend in the Trojan marching band.
“It was a great game and I got to rub it into him afterwards that our band was better,” Ashman said.
This Saturday, the Bruins face the Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and Ashman, now a second-year mechanical engineering student, will be one of the 250 marching band members representing UCLA.
As the alto saxophone section leader, Ashman said his duties include directing 19 altos, keeping harmony with the other woodwinds and energizing the crowd. However, he said his main focus remains on enjoying the game’s hyped atmosphere with a group of peers he calls his family.
The alto saxophones are part of the band’s brass and woodwinds section. They are tasked with performing the countermelodies – secondary subordinate melodies that accompany the primary melodies played by the trumpets and trombones.
Though the altos may not be the largest section, their sense of community is strengthened through hours of practice, performance and traveling. Ashman said the bonds are formed during their first weeks at band camp.
“I had just moved in and suddenly I was spending 12-hour days with these people,” Ashman said. “We unite under our common love for music and performance.”
With so much of his time consumed by band, Ashman said one would assume academic hardship to be inevitable. However, he said he experiences greater success in his classes during band season than during his time off.
Ashman said his demanding schedule has helped him develop a balance between academics and band and continue to be an example for his section.
“When I have that kind of routine it really keeps me on track in my classes,” Ashman said. “It’s a weird paradox. It sounds like it would be such a struggle to balance, but it’s the best way to keep me focused.”
Joy McCreary, a second-year political science and international development studies student and alto saxophone performer, said she depends on Ashman’s witty character and authority to lead her during the performances. As for the UCLA-USC game, McCreary said she enjoys the rivalry, but said the crowds can be somewhat terrifying.
“We basically walk around with big target signs above our heads,” McCreary said. “The Coliseum is a little bit scary.”
While McCreary is not looking forward to the intense heckling from Trojan fans, she said the band’s philosophy remains of utmost importance. Band members, she said, are expected to be supportive and energetic, no matter what the crowds chant or the scoreboard dictates.
“You get excited for games in general, but when it’s the USC game, everyone’s that much more into it,” Ashman said.
Saturday’s game will be his first time performing at the Coliseum, yet Ashman is level-headed despite the intimidating environment.
“It’s home being out there on the field,” Ashman said.
Compiled by Lena Schipper, A&E contributor.
