VIDEO: ‘Stand Up and Cheer’ for Pride of the North
Potato Bowl on Saturday will feature debut of new Pride of the North Marching Band Director Josh Gillen
It’s Potato Bowl Week in Grand Forks, and President Andrew Armacost brings the “Stand Up and Cheer” spirit to this week’s video address by introducing Josh Gillen, the new director for the Pride of the North Marching Band.
Gillen, recently hired as assistant director of bands at UND, talks with Armacost about where he grew up, how he came to UND and what his first impressions have been of Grand Forks.
Originally an elementary and high school teacher in the South after graduating from Auburn University, Gillen says his interest in collegiate bands and teaching drove him toward music, and he eventually changed career tracks.
At UND, Gillen says he’s bringing some new tech to the Pride of the North — going paperless for sheet music and implementing a mobile app to help direct marching formations.
Armacost asks how Gillen’s approach will show up on the field on Game Day, reminding the community that the Potato Bowl showdown with Portland State starts at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Potato Bowl activities are scheduled throughout the week, including Thursday’s annual french fry feed at University Park. Editor’s note: Due to the forecast for Thursday, the french fry feed has been moved to Saturday, Sept. 6, at the tailgate party outside of the Alerus Center. Other events are expected to proceed as planned; check potatobowl.org for the latest information.
Gillen says he is excited for the opportunity to show off UND-themed marching animations with fun songs for the home crowd.
