Allen Directs, Begley Leads Blue Raider Marching Band in 2012

Student  Leanna Begley of Lebanon, Ky., right, is field commander of the Blue Raider
Marching Band, which is under the guidance of LWC Director of Instrumental Ensembles
Tim Allen, left. (2011 photo)

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Providing the soundtrack for this year's Lindsey Wilson College home football season is the Blue Raider Marching Band. Leading the band for the second year in a row on the field is LWC student Leanna Begley of Lebanon, Ky.

Begley, a graduate of Marion County High School, says fans will see and hear the best edition yet of the Blue Raider Marching Band.

"I feel honored to be part of the first three Lindsey Wilson marching bands -- there's such a sense of pride of what we've become," said Begley, an accounting major who will be the band's field commander. "It's such an honor to be field commander for the second year in a row."

A big reason for the quality of the 50-member Blue Raider Marching band is its director, Tim Allen. In his fourth year at LWC, Allen directed the Adair County High School marching band to 18 state titles before.

"I'm really pleased with the quality of the band this year," said Allen, who is also LWC director of instrumental ensembles. "Every section is strong this year."

In addition to playing during games, the Blue Raider Marching Band will also perform during halftime of home football games. This year's halftime show reached back into the funk and hipness of the 1970s jazz-rock fusion band Chase. The Blue Raider Marching Band performs "Open Up Wide" and "Get It On," both from Chase's self-titled 1971 debut album.

The band also performs John Williams' Academy Award-nominated "If We Were in Love" from the 1982 film  Yes, Giorgio, and the flamboyant "Hey Pachuco" from the 1994 film  The Mask.

"I think we have a great show this year -- everyone will really like it," Begley said.

Begley said she enjoys being field commander because she gets to develop as a leader.

"I like being field commander because it puts me in the role where students look up to me," she said. "I think of myself as someone who can be looked up to because I have high standards for myself."

She also enjoys preparing the band for its role at football games.

"I try to get everyone in the zone and ready to perform," she said. "The band is really important part of the football experience. I'm extremely proud of every student in our band. …. The hard work pays off when you hear the crowd react to it."

Begley said she was a little intimidated when she first worked under Allen.

"Working with him is like working with a genius because he knows what is best for us, and he just knows so much," she said. "I'm proud to say that I'm in his band. Having been chosen field commander twice by him makes me extremely proud."

Allen said that Begley has played an important role in the development of the 3-year-old marching band.

"She's kind of the quarterback of the band," he said. "Not only does she lead with conducting skills but with management and leadership skills as well."