The USC Trojan Marching Band has been in high demand in the weeks leading up to the 40th anniversary gala concert for its director Arthur C. Bartner.

On April 17, 30 members of the band took to the stage at the Coachella Music Festival. The group joined rockers Coheed and Cambria during the final song of their set, to the delight of audience and band members alike.

“It was incredible playing at a music festival as prominent as Coachella,” said Toni Aubrecht, a junior bass drum player majoring in astronautical engineering. “There were thousands of people out there, and you could tell that they were shocked a marching band was on stage. It was an honor and a privilege.”

In addition to live rock concerts, the band also added a new entry to its list of TV credits: an appearance as the McKinley High School marching band on the April 20 “Power of Madonna” episode of Glee, joining actors Amber Riley and Chris Colfer for a performance of “4 Minutes.”

“Filming was demanding, but rewarding,” said Brock Andrews, a senior tenor sax player majoring in aerospace engineering with a minor in music studies. “We were on set for probably 11 hours, but I am proud that I got to represent USC and the Trojan Marching Band in such a visible way.”

These collaborations have set the stage for the “The Man on the Ladder,” a celebration of Bartner’s 40-year tenure as band director. The concert, which will feature celebrity guests and speakers, is set for May 1 at 8 p.m. in the Galen Center. Tickets are available through the USC Ticket Office at www.uscticketoffice.com

For more information about the gala, visit www.themanontheladder.com

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