• By ROBIN MILLER
• Arts writer
• Published: Nov 15, 2009

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She pauses for a moment, contemplates.

“What part of the show do you think is everyone’s favorite?” she asks.

But shouldn’t she already know? She is the associate band director, after all. LSU Tiger football fans hear her name announced at the end of every halftime show: Linda Moorhouse, associate director.

Meaning, she’s been a part of many Tigerama concerts through the years, as co-conductor of the LSU Tiger Marching Band and conductor of the LSU Symphonic Winds.

She knows the lineup of this annual event by heart. The first part is dedicated to the LSU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds, the second to none other than the Golden Band from Tigerland.

“But what part is the audience favorite?” she asks again.

Well, that’s easy. It has to be when the Tiger Band marches on stage, then revs up the combination “Tiger Rag-Touchdown for LSU,” known simply as “Pregame.”

No wait. That’s only part of it.

“What do you mean?” she asks.

Well, there’s another part, one that’s just as stirring and combines the talents of both the LSU Wind Ensemble and members of the Tiger Band’s brass. It happens during the Wind Ensemble’s finale, which always is the United States’ national hymn “God of Our Fathers.”

The Tiger Band’s brass stands in the aisles among the audience and joins the Wind Ensemble in the final chorus. The effect is much like a brass choir singing throughout the building.

Add to that the appearance of the large American flag during the chorus, and well, just the thought of it now causes chills — the kind produced only by pride. For this scene is everything American set to music that resonates honor.

Yes, that has to be the audience’s favorite moment. Sure, “Pregame” is the most anticipated, but “God of Our Fathers” has a way of generating tears.