Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State bands unite for Opening Night at Allegacy Financial Stadium
Wake Forest Football will celebrate the start of the 2026 season against Akron on Thursday, Sept. 3, with an authentic Winston-Salem music experience as the Spirit of the Old Gold & Black and Winston-Salem State University’s Red Sea of Sound reunite for a joint performance on Opening Night.
Together, the bands will bring their traditions to Allegacy Stadium throughout Opening Night as the Demon Deacons begin head coach Jake Dickert’s second season at the helm at 7 p.m. on ACC Network.
The 2026 collaboration will mark the third time the two bands have come together for Wake Forest Football Opening Night, with the Demon Deacons winning each of the previous two games. The bands first shared the field before a capacity Opening Night crowd in 2019, as Wake Forest earned a memorable 38–35 victory over Utah State on the way to an 8–5 season and an appearance in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl.
The two bands reunited in 2021 as Wake Forest defeated Old Dominion, 42–10, to begin a season in which the Demon Deacons became just the second team in program history to win 11 games, tied the program record with seven conference victories and posted a perfect 6–0 home record.
The Winston-Salem State University Red Sea of Sound Marching Band is composed of 145 students majoring in music education, music business and other disciplines throughout the university.
The Red Sea of Sound has earned widespread recognition for its performances at events including the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, the Cleveland Classic and the New York City Urban League Classic. The band has also performed with acclaimed artists Donald Lawrence and Gerald Albright and has appeared at the Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta on multiple occasions.
The Spirit of the Old Gold & Black (SOTOGAB) includes Wake Forest’s marching band, pep bands and basketball bands. As the oldest college marching band in North Carolina, SOTOGAB brings together students from a wide range of majors, musical interests and backgrounds, including participants from local colleges in Wake Forest’s Shared Experience Program, such as Salem College and Forsyth Technical Community College.
Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University share a long-standing commitment to expanding opportunity and investing in the Winston-Salem community. That partnership includes initiatives such as Winston-Salem TEACH, which brings Wake Forest, Winston-Salem State, Salem Academy and College, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools together to prepare and support teachers for high-need local schools, as well as Wake Forest Law’s Program for Legal Access and Career Excellence, which provides students at WSSU and other partner institutions with support and pathways toward legal education.
What They’re Saying
Wake Forest University President, Peter Rodriguez
“We are thrilled to kick off football season at Wake Forest with The Spirit of the Old Gold and Black teaming up with Winston-Salem State’s Red Sea of Sound. Musical collaboration is an excellent reminder of the ways members of communities make each other better. I look forward to building on our established mutual respect and to fostering growth and well-being for our students, faculty, staff, and neighbors in Winston-Salem.”
Winston-Salem State University Chancellor, Bonita J. Brown:
“This collaboration with our Red Sea of Sound is a powerful reflection of the strong and growing relationship between Winston-Salem State and Wake Forest University. As two institutions deeply rooted in Winston-Salem, we are leveraging our collective strengths to expand opportunities for our students and strengthen the community we both call home. I am excited about what we are building together and what is still to come.”
Wake Forest Director of Athletic Bands, Dr. Tim Heath:
“Opening Night is always a special opportunity to celebrate the start of a new season, and having the Red Sea of Sound join the Spirit of the Old Gold & Black makes the night even more memorable. We are looking forward to bringing our students together, sharing the field and creating a performance that reflects the energy and spirit of Winston-Salem.”
Winston-Salem State University Director of Bands, Dr. Michael Magruder:
“There is something special about bringing these two bands together and seeing our students share the field, their talent and their love of music. Our students take tremendous pride in representing Winston-Salem State and performing alongside the Spirit of the Old Gold & Black gives them an opportunity to create something memorable for the entire community. We are excited to bring the Red Sea of Sound back to Allegacy Financial Stadium and put on a great show.”
Wake Forest Vice President & Director of Athletics, John Currie:
“Witnessing the Red Sea of Sound and the Spirit of the Old Gold & Black take the field together for the first time in history on Opening Night 2019 remains one of the most memorable moments of my career. I am fired up for the third joint performance of these two very special groups of dedicated students in a packed Allegacy Financial Stadium next Thursday night.”
