The Insider: It’s Carnival time!

There are four opportunities for fans of the Tulane University Marching Band to catch the group in action during Carnival 2016. Drum major Lauren Stevens gives the scoop on what spectators can expect.

“There will be a lot of dancing and high-fives given to crowd,” says Stevens, a junior studying finance. “We’re all very excited for the parades to get started, especially the night parades, which have thicker crowds and floats with beautiful lights.” 

Stevens says that each year the band has a parade repertoire of 10 songs. One of those is always a pop song voted on by their members. 

This year’s pop song is “Downtown” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. Last year’s song was “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift.

Barry Spanier, director of bands, says this Mardi Gras will mark the band’s tenth year participating in Carnival since the band was reestablished after Hurricane Katrina. Read Spanier’s recount of the band’s emotional revival here.