The University of Michigan Marching Band, in collaboration with the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance Department of Musical Theatre and Percussion Studio, performed songs from the Broadway musical and feature film franchise “Wicked” during the halftime show of the U-M vs. Central Michigan University football game.

In celebration of the upcoming release of “Wicked: For Good,” musical selections included: “No One Mourns the Wicked”; “Popular”; “Dancing Through Life”; and “Defying Gravity.”

Known for their celebration of a wide spectrum of diverse artists and musical genres, the Michigan Marching Band “reflects and honors the evolving landscape of American culture,” said John Pasquale, director of Michigan Marching & Athletic Bands. “In doing so, we not only entertain our audiences but also spark conversations around music’s ongoing role in shaping and representing our shared cultural identity.”

Pasquale sees the marching band as “a cultural bridge that connects time-honored collegiate traditions with the energy and innovation of modern pop culture,” as evidenced by their past performances spotlighting Beyoncé to Game of Thrones; Hans Zimmer to Lizzo; or James Bond to New Orleans jazz with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

The Michigan Marching Band is made up of 371 students from U-M’s three campuses: Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint. This is the third time the band and the Department of Musical Theatre have collaborated on a halftime performance. Previously they performed “Broadway,” during halftime of the 2016 Michigan vs. Penn State football game, and “Places Where We Sing,” during the 2022 Michigan vs. UConn football game.

“The opportunity to collaborate with students from the Musical Theatre Department, as well as our outstanding Percussion Studio, is truly extraordinary—their talent is simply unparalleled,” Pasquale said. “Showcasing such exceptional artistry on the field, in the largest football stadium in the U.S., underscores the central role that the arts play on our campus.”

And the feeling is mutual. One of the soloists voicing Elphaba, U-M junior Zee Happonen, called the collaboration “such a rewarding experience.”

“They are so precise and never miss a beat—always on top of things,” Happonen said of the marching band. “Nothing is more magical than when artists come together and share what they love. Personally, that’s the feeling I get when performing with the band: We’re creating music, magic and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for ourselves and for everyone watching.”

This performance follows their September 2023 halftime performance of “Defying Gravity” ahead of the first “Wicked” film release. View the performance.

View more videos from the Michigan Marching Band on their YouTube channel.