Tech’s Band of Pride headed to Rex Parade in New Orleans

Mardi Gras is approaching fast, and the Louisiana Tech Band of Pride is preparing to perform March 1 in New Orleans’ Rex Parade.

Dr. Chris Heidenreich is particularly excited to be asked to participate in one of Fat Tuesday’s biggest parades. Louisiana Tech’s Director of Bands has never been to Mardi Gras.

“I had heard other students talk about Mardi Gras parades in general and with this one being daytime and their 150th anniversary, it just seemed like everything was lining up that this one would be a lot of fun,” Heidenreich said.

Heidenreich is not the only one who’s going to Mardi Gras for the first time, though. It will also be freshman band member Kera Middleton’s first time.

“I lived in Louisiana until I was 9, and I haven’t had a chance to attend any Mardi Gras activities since I moved to Arkansas,” Middleton said. “I’ve always wanted to go to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and since I was given this opportunity to march in the Rex Parade, I figured this was the best time to go.”

Middleton is also excited to get the experience of being in the parade rather than watching it.

“It feels great to be able to march in an official Mardi Gras parade,” Middleton said. “I feel like not many people get this opportunity, especially if they’re not from the area.”

This parade is also a way to get more recognition for the Band of Pride and Louisiana Tech University.

“I think since it’s down south where we have a lot of alums and we have a presence, just seeing us on TV physically being in the parade is really important for that visual aspect,” Heidenreich said.

“Just putting our name out there in a place in the state that has so many other schools is really important.”

The parade will be a 3.1-mile march where the band will play a rotation of a few songs – Louisiana Tech Fight Song, Go Dogs, Neck, and Do Whatcha Wanna.

The parade march will be more casual than others done in the past, Heidenreich said. He wants this performance to be “laid back like a true New Orleans band.”

The Rex Parade will roll at 10 a.m. on March 1 in downtown New Orleans.