UDMB performs in inaugural parade

The flutes sang sweetly, trumpets sounded loudly and the drums boomed rhythmically, keeping the beat as the University of Delaware Marching Band made its way down Pennsylvania Avenue in celebration of the inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

Although the band spent the night before sleeping - or not sleeping - on a school gym floor in Virginia, the temperature on inauguration day dipped below 30 degrees and the parade was delayed approximately two hours, band members seem to agree the experience was extremely rewarding and, fortunately, worth all the trouble.

Band Director Heidi Sarver was unavailable for comment but her Twitter account, which she updated throughout inauguration day read, "Everyone is home. An incredible experience. Much more to tell - some rest first!"

Flutist Sarah Mainardi said performing in the inaugural parade was an extremely special moment.

"It was really an awesome, unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Mainardi said.

Jason Angelo, a trombone player, said although the arctic temperatures were difficult to bear, the cold retreated to the back of his mind once he began to perform.

"It was kind of tempered a little bit by the temperature," Angelo said. "It was so cold and windy, and we had to wait two hours for the parade to begin. It was pretty cold and a lot of people were not too happy but once the parade got started and we went down Pennsylvania Avenue it was pretty exhilarating, pretty amazing."

Band member Ashley Santana, another flutist, said the full weight of the moment did not strike her until she saw the crowds of spectators.

"It really didn't hit me until we saw all those people," Santana said. "It was amazing to see millions of people. It was a little overwhelming, but it was an amazing experience."

She said the crowd's energy was palpable.

"They seemed really excited," Santana said. "They were cheering for us and they kept calling us 'the small wonder.' "

Mainardi said the crowd presence and excitement - both during and after the parade - had a great effect on her.

"We were walking by, and there were little kids yelling, 'Oh, it's the flutes' and 'Oh my God, Delaware,' " Mainardi said. "Even after we finished the parade, we were marching back to buses and there were still people there cheering us on, even though we weren't in the parade anymore."

Santana, who said she was 20 feet from the president at one point, said although she was struggling with the cold and a lack of sleep, she did not want the president to be able to tell.

"I think it was more important that we looked professional in front of the president rather than look tired and cold even though we were very tired and cold," Santana said. "I couldn't feel my fingers by the end but it didn't look like it because I didn't want the president to know. We all just kept saying we're going to keep going until the end and then we'll pass out somewhere."

Mainardi said the pinnacle of her inauguration experience was passing the guest of honor along the parade path.

"The highlight of the parade was when we went by where the president was, and it was just awesome seeing him there waving at us," Mainardi said. "Biden was really excited about us going by. He was waving the whole time, too."

Santana, Mainardi and Angelo all said Biden's reaction to seeing their alma mater's band march down the parade route was exhilarating.

"He was going crazy," Angelo said. "He and his wife, Dr. Biden, they both loved us. They were clapping and singing along. Having him be so supportive of us really meant a lot after waiting outside for about two hours in the cold to see him."

Angelo said although the conditions may have been less than ideal, he was grateful to be a part of a moment of such gravity and importance.

"It's probably one of the most historic moments in modern American history, in my opinion anyway," Angelo said. "For us to be there and be a part of it is something I'll never forget. I'm sure a lot of people will be telling their children and grandchildren they were there when Obama was inaugurated and they actually played for him.

"It was exciting. We were tired. We were cold. We were hungry. But it's my personal opinion that it was worth it."