The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football Mocs aren't the only ones making their debut in today's season opener at Finley Stadium.
UTC junior Sam Sencabaugh will make his first showing as drum major of the Mocs' marching band - noteworthy because Sencabaugh has no previous experience as a field conductor before today.
Dr. Stuart Benkert, UTC director of bands, explains that traditionally university drum majors have had high school experience in the role. He believes Sencabaugh is the only such drum major in the Southeast.
"I'm sure there may have been other instances of it, but I haven't heard of any. It's rare that someone is a drum major in college who wasn't even in marching band in high school," said Benkert.
Sencabaugh said he is a graduate of Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts, which has an orchestra but no marching band.
"I had never marched in band when I came to UTC. I joined the UTC band, and it was a lot of fun," said Sencabaugh, son of Laura Lea Sencabaugh and Milton Michael Sencabaugh. The junior plays tenor sax during marching season and flute in concert band.
The student said he learned drill fundamentals, such as how many steps per 10 yards, his first summer in band camp. Already a step behind his peers before the season had started, he was motivated to learn and said he picked it up quickly.
"By my second year, I thought since I was going to be a music education major that I should get some leadership experience in the field. The first available thing to me in music was drum major."
Again he taught himself, picking up tips and hints from various sources as he went along.
"I was surprised when he said he wanted to try out, but I pick drum majors for leadership ability, and Sam's been a leader since he joined the band," said Benkert.
Sencabaugh is one of two drum majors who will lead the 143-member Mocs band this afternoon. Erin Kinney is in her second year as drum major. Sencabaugh said the two conduct on platforms from the sidelines.
UTC football fans may notice that the number of instrumentalists on the field has doubled since last year. The music in this season's show will range from the opening "Crown Imperial" march, to Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and the salsa-influenced "Sunny Ray" from the movie "Mambo Kings," to Earth, Wind and Fire's "Boogie Wonderland."
This afternoon's game is an auspicious choice for Sencabaugh's debut. UTC officials have projected attendance to surpass 15,000, possibly reaching record attendance of more than 20,000.
"I'm not nervous," he said. "I feel pretty confident about all the songs we're playing. This band is really amazing, so I know they'll be able to pick up my slack if I mess up."