Founded in 1885, Marching Mizzou is the marching band for the University of Missouri. With 350 members, the band features students from nearly every major at Mizzou – including numerous students from the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. For the first time in the band’s history, Marching Mizzou will participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Support Marching Mizzou by tuning into the parade, which will run from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Nov. 24.
A massive sports fan who grew up watching a ton of football, Isaac Abbott supported the University of Missouri squad any chance he could. Now, as a senior natural resource science and management major at MU, Abbott has spent his undergraduate career rooting on the Tigers through Marching Mizzou.
Abbott has played the trumpet for five years with the band.
“It’s really crazy that I get to be on the field supporting the team after I spent so many years watching them,” Abbott said. “I’ve always liked sports, and it’s rewarding to play a small role in amping up the crowd to help drive our team to victory.”
Abbott has played the trumpet since he was young and said he fell in love with marching band as a high school student in Westphalia, Mo.
“I enjoyed marching band right away, and I knew when I came to Mizzou that I wanted to continue to march,” Abbott said. “It was a really fun way to expand my friend group, and I’ve made so many lasting friendships through my time here. Honestly, the people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made have been my favorite part of being a member of Marching Mizzou.”
As one of the more senior members of Marching Mizzou, Abbott said he has seen a lot of changes throughout his time, including a steady growth in the number of bandmates.
“It’s been a crazy ride, and I can’t believe that I’ve been part of the band for five years,” Abbott said. “Most of the students who I came in with aren’t even at MU anymore; some are off getting married and others are starting new jobs. I’m really proud of the fact that I’ve been able to serve in this role for this long.”
Abbott will officially earn his natural resource science and management degree from Mizzou in December. He chose the fisheries and wildlife sciences emphasis area because of his interest in nature.
“Growing up in such a small town, there were multiple conservation areas around,” Abbott said. “I spent a lot of time outside, exploring everything that the outdoors offered. It was really exciting to find a degree that could play to those interests.
“Throughout my degree, I have had a chance to do a lot of hands-on learning, which has given me important experience before I begin my career. The outdoor laboratories are vital and were my favorite part of the degree.”
Abbott said he is currently looking at volunteer opportunities within select government agencies, such as the Missouri Department of Conservation. He would like to one day become a conservation agent.
“There are multiple opportunities out there, such as volunteer tasks, hourly jobs and seasonal work,” Abbott said. “Right now I’m focused on getting my name out there as someone who is willing to go above and beyond to help out.
“I can’t wait to walk across the stage and receive my diploma. It has gone so fast – I honestly can’t believe my time at Mizzou is coming to an end.”
While Abbott has less than two months left at MU, he said he is excited to exit with such an exciting opportunity through Marching Mizzou. Abbott added that the band is doing extra work in preparation of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“We’re doing a lot of work on our communication and making sure that we stay in order,” Abbott said. “There’s going to be a lot going on during the actual parade, and we want to make sure that we’re always on the same page throughout the march.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I can’t wait to participate in. The thought of doing something like this definitely wasn’t on my mind when I joined Marching Mizzou as a freshman. It’s going to be an incredible way to close out my time at MU.”