July 31, 2001

by Steven Goldsmith
University Week

The University of Washington Husky Band's summer tour of China drew wildly enthusiastic audiences while offering that ancient civilization its first exposure to an American collegiate tradition: the halftime show.

More than 4,000 Chinese onlookers whooped and cheered June 28 as the 65-piece Husky Band burst into Beijing University's main campus square, in one of several performances during the band's historic two-week tour.

Before the Huskies marched in, Chinese exposure to marching bands had consisted of military units moving methodically to patriotic marches, said Husky bandleader Brad McDavid.

What the Huskies provided were boisterous renditions of "Tequila" and "Louie Louie" with instruments and players bobbing up and down while the ensemble melted in and out of Figure Eights at double-time speed.

"What everybody said they really enjoyed was the passion with which we played," said McDavid, whose 97-member delegation included family members as well as the 65 Husky student and alumni performers.

While the Huskies may not have completely loosened the current strains in Sino-American relations, they reported receiving nothing but warmth from Chinese audiences during the tour that ended July 5.

Beijing University allowed the band to mark off nearly a football field in its vast marble main square, enabling the Huskies to approximate the licks that helped cheer on this year's winning Rose Bowl squad.

The band also performed at the Great Wall of China and shared the stage with two Chinese ensembles at Jiao Tong University in Shanghai.

While it made band members sweat to play their tubas, horns and drums in China's 95-degree smog, the tour was the experience of a lifetime, said field assistant Scott Higbee.

"That's really what it's all about," Higbee said, "to see a different culture."

The UW delegation ranged in age from freshmen to 61-year-old alumnus (and baritone horn player) Floyd Cronkite.

Whatever their age, members raised their own $2,100 fares for the Husky Band's second overseas summer tour - the first had been a 1998 trip to Australia and Fiji.

The goal, McDavid, is to head overseas every three years.

Participants in China said a particular thrill was being a guest of the People's Liberation Army Band, with its rich history of performing for visiting heads of state. The Huskies got to use the national band's rehearsal hall and have lunch with its director.

There was no indication, however, that the People's Liberation Army Band plans anytime soon to incorporate "Tequila" into its repertoire.

Thanks to University Week for use of this story.