PSU marching band records for major Hollywood film - KOAM TV 7

PSU marching band records for major Hollywood film

News release issued by Pittsburg State University

Current and former members of Pittsburg State University's Pride of the Plains Marching Band are coming back to campus Wednesday for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The musicians will spend the day rehearsing and recording several songs for an upcoming Hollywood movie starring Will Farrell.

Director of Athletics Bands Doug Whitten said the opportunity to record the music came about because of his association with Chris Fogel, an award winning film scoring mixer, recording engineer and producer.

"Chris and I grew up together in California," Whitten said. "We both moved to Reno at the same time and went to high school and college together."

So it was natural, when the director of the film that Fogel was working on needed a college band sound that Fogel would turn to his old friend.

"It is very unusual for bands outside of California to get an opportunity like this," Whitten said. "Honestly, I think it's really cool."

Fogel, Whitten said, has had a highly successful career. He has worked on more than 75 movies and dozens of albums. His movie credits include "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Little Black Book," "Blue Streak," "Message in a Bottle," "Fun with Dick and Jane," "The Devil Wears Prada," "Marley and Me," "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," and "Arthur." In 2012, Fogel won the Cinema Audio Society Award for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Movies and a Mini-Series.

In return for recording "Taking Care of Business" and a few other songs, the marching band will get a professional recording made of the PSU Fight Song.

"That's something we've needed for a long time," Whitten said.

Whitten said the various band sections will begin rehearsing early Wednesday morning to be followed by a recording session at Memorial Auditorium. Any recording "do-overs" that are needed will take place after lunch. A final recording session is scheduled on the PSU Oval in the afternoon.

Whitten said he had no trouble getting students and alumni to come back for the recording. He sent out the call on Facebook and soon had about 150 who wanted to participate

For more: www.chrisfogel.com

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