Band can thrill you more than any ghost would dare to try.

Marching bands around the nation are all unique organizations, yet music is the single thing that binds them all together. This bond isn't just limited to what these musicians play on the field because, believe it or not, they are ordinary people too. In honor of Halloween, I've look up marching band's relationship to the holiday. The answer is quite simple: Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Whether you love the song or hate it, you have probably heard it a good number of times and know part of the dance. It also seems to be a favorite of many a marching band. The following videos are of select college marching bands who all decided to incorporate the song into their shows. You decide who gave the best performance.

University of Toledo [dancing starts at 4:40]


Penn State Blue Band


Michigan Marching Band [dancing at 1:30]


Minnesota Marching Band [dancing at 0:25]


Enjoy the holiday!

Penn State Blue Band

The Blue Band drum major flip definitely is one of the best marching band traditions I've seen. It was started in 1971 was one drum major was uncomfortable about tossing his mace into the air. Instead of flipping his baton, he flipped himself. He continued doing back flips when the crowd absolutely loved the routine. When a new drum major filled the position for two years, he was ruthlessly booed by the fans for not performing the flip. Ever since then, the flip has become a Penn State tradition for all those involved with the football team. Over time the flip evolved - first becoming a running forward flip and then increasing the difficulty by adding the splits after the flip. The drum major flip
is not the only Blue Band tradition. The term "Blue" in the name came into being in 1924. When the band was first started in 1899 with six members, the band owned khaki uniforms. In 1923, blue uniforms were bought for the band. In 1924, a group of band members in the new blue uniforms formed a block "S" with khaki-wearing members surrounding them. From that day on, the band became known as the "Blue Band."

The 2005 Sudler-receiving band consists of 310 members [260 winds,34 silks, 14 Touch of Blue (majorettes), 1 Blue Sapphire (feature twirler), 1 drum major]. One major highlight in the band's career was being the first band to perform at a major fashion show - the Marc Jacob's in New York during Fashion Week 2005. Among other events, the band has performed at 33 bowl games, including the Rose Bowl. To find out more about the Penn State Blue Band, check out their official website.

In addition to the information that can be found on their site, the band made a documentary which will air in November on public television called, "Making the Blue Band." You can find the official website and trailer for the documentary here. The following is the first promo for the show:

Detective Show

Rainy New York Streets, men in tan trench coats, fuzzy pink cats - the AAMB is putting on their Detective halftime show. When I found out about this theme, I was sitting in my office (or dorm room, if you will) when there it appeared - Max had sent me a daily schedule for marching band practice. "City of Angels," "Live and Let Die," "Detective Medley" - musical selections all so...suspicious. I quickly read the note, knowing it would self-destruct in 15 seconds (or rather, I was late for class and deleted the e-mail in a hurry). Glancing behind me as I locked the door, I noticed no one followed (my roommate must have been at class or so I suspected). Quickly I hurried down the dark stairwell (the curtains were closed) to the secretive side door (or so I'd like to think) leading to the not-so-secretive parking lot. Trudging across the damp street (curse the Indiana rain!) to the black pavement which I like to call the practice field, I risked a fleeting look at the director atop the podium. "Band, we're learning the 'Detective Show' this week!"

The band started learning drill that day and hasn't stopped since. Although the band only has five days to put this show together, it proves to be just as good if not better than the Joe Tiller tribute. The band starts out with traditional drill for the first tune, featuring some complicated-looking drill, and halts for "Live and Let Die." The medley, starting with the theme from "Dragnet," is a bit more complicated consisting of a formation of the Pink Panther's head when the band performs none other than the "Pink Panther" theme with "snake drill" following and corresponding with a drum break. After the drum solos and insane trumpet fanfare, "Peter Gun" is played - watch the piccolos who have inserted a few surprising visuals. The band will end with a wave formation which transforms into a cruise ship for the final song, "Hawaii Five-O."

Music Memorization Tips

If you play any sort of musical instrument, you will probably at one point or another need to memorize a piece. Here are a few pointers to make the process less stressful.


If the piece happens to have a crazy amount of runs, always be sure to take it slowly at first. Don't try to rush through the music just to say you've played it all. If there is a certain run you can't seem to get into your fingers keep going over it - slowly increasing speed every time. If the runs are really giving you problems, try working backwards. Take the last four sixteenth notes. Once you have those down, tack on the previous set of sixteenth notes and repeat the process until you can play all notes. While doing this, never allow yourself to make mistakes. I vividly recall my high school band directors constantly telling the band that to correct one mistake you have to play the music the correct way 30 times consecutively. Do yourself a favor and play the music right the first time.

Sometimes, all you have to do is listen to the piece. By knowing how the music is supposed to sound, you increase the likelihood of your fingers pressing down the right keys at the right time. Try to get a recording or make the recording yourself and just finger along. Additionally, try just singing and fingering. This can be a time saver because you can practice anywhere.

Just like an athlete, musicians will perform at a much higher level if they can visualize what they need to do. Take a look at the music without your instrument a couple times. Go over the notes and rhythms in your head. This method can help with finding patterns in the music whether it be repeating notes or the same melody in a different key signature.

Finally, just relax. Don't stress out or over-practice the piece. If you're practicing and your playing just gets worse, STOP. Take a few days off and come back to the music at a later time.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Bonanza - just one of the many western themes going to be performed by the "All-American" Marching Band this Saturday. As stated in a previous post, Purdue will be paying tribute to Coach Joe Tiller by visiting the Old West in the show entitled, "Happy Trails to You, Joe Tiller." Buffalo Bill, Butch Cassidy, Black Bart. Cowboys, gunfights, saloons, alliterated names - what could be better?

In addition to the music, this week's drill focuses on the western theme. The band will start out with traditional drill (circular formations and diagonal lines) when playing the first selection, "How the West was Won." A set sure to be a crowd-pleaser is a quick ripple effect performed by the brass. In the second tune, "Western Drama," the dance teams are featured in the band's rendition of the "Can-Can" while the band marches into a stage formation. Throughout all of the show, "Happy Trails" will be used to transition from song to song. Finally, "Western Medley" features Joe Tiller. The band will form a sheriff star with the coach's initials and eventually spell out his name in the finale. Right before the final song is performed, the band comes to a climax by reenacting an Old West showdown. Two humongous stick figure cowboys will be created on the field by the band - ten-gallon hats, sheriff badges, guns, and all the trimmings any respectable cowboy would have. The storyline behind this drill is Sheriff Joe Tiller vs. our archenemy from Indiana University. The figures will face off on the field to the melodies of "Night on Bald Mountain" and the "William Tell Overture." Will Sheriff Tiller win the fight? Watch the halftime show to find out. To keep you tied over until then, check out this trailer from 1960 advertising "The Magnificent Seven" and enjoy the theme music.

NUMB Band

The Northwestern University Marching Band (NUMB) was officially started in 1926 under the director, Glenn Cliffe Bainum, although there had been an "unofficial" student-run organization that began in 1911. In 1953, Paynter took over the band and created most of the traditions that are used today. For example, it was during these years the glide step started being utilized and the sculpted N performed in pregame was developed. The band, receiving the Sudler in 1992, has many more traditions. Luckily, I was able to get an inside look through the eyes of one of my NUMB buddies currently in the trumpet section. Here is what she had to say about the band's traditions:

Ok, I'll recount a few NUMB traditions to get things started...Every Thursday at rehearsal, we have section dress up days...recent dress ups have included 'features i wish my uniform had' by the altos (for example, one of those hats with straws attached for consuming alcohol on the go). Anytime anyone says a word ending in 'er' ('or' and 'ar' often work as well), it is traditional to respond by saying, 'I hardly even know her!' For example: 'Ok band, take it back to the top of the closer.' Response: "Closer? I hardly even know her!" That's my fave...We also do nerdy cheers in the stands, such as the calculus cheer: '2 4 6 8, time to differentiate, d to the x to the x dy, d to the y dy. 3.14159, cosine, tangent, inverse sine, add an asymptotic line, come on wildcats, hold that line...segment!'

NUMB traditions, no matter how nerdy, are carried out by approximately 143 members, with 104 being wind players. There are no auditions for the band except for leadership positions, drum majors, and drum line. Although a small band when compared to other Big 10 schools, Northwestern is able to produce a mature sound of well-blended instrumentation. Check out this video to see what the band is all about:



To listen to NUMB, check out their official audio site featuring the fight song, the alma mater, and the pregame sequence. If you're addicted to NUMB sounds, check out their new CD, "Push On!"

Wild, Wild West

ANNOUNCEMENT: The "All-American" Marching Band will be performing a tribute to non other than the head football coach, Joe Tiller, at the Homecoming halftime show on October 24, 2008. The show will commemorate the coach by featuring his favorite type of music - classics from the Old West. Featured selections will be "Bonanza," "The Magnificent Seven," "How the West Was Won," and "Rawhide" to name a few. There will be more details concerning this show next week.

Spartan Marching Band

Michigan State's band was founded in 1870 by 10 students who were also Civil War veterans. In 1976 a color guard sector was added. Their small organization is now 300 strong and a Sudler Trophy receiver as of 1988. Since the band was military-based, the band wore khaki uniforms until 1952 when the football team joined the Big 10 Conference. This band has performed for a variety of crowds including five U.S. presidents and at events like the New York World's Fair in 1964, Japan's Coca-Cola Bowl, and the 1984 World Series. It seems that the only drawback to this band is that no flutes or clarinets are allowed to march because their sound doesn't project as well in large stadiums. For more facts about this band, check out the official website. Here is a halftime show entitled "Light Classics."



For more videos of the Spartan band check out the mellophone section site. Finally, I leave you all with the definition the trombones give to themselves.

The REAL definition of a Spartan Trombone:

: a sliphorn-playing member of the Spartan Marching Band. Can regularly be found at rehearsals, tailgates, and small keeps called the "Bone Haus" or "Bone Girl Haus." A Spartan Bone's diet consists largely of grain- and potato-based substances, Powerade, apples, and whatever Case Hall has on the menu. A highly social being, the Spartan Trombone enjoys gatherings involving large amounts of said grain-based substances, loud sing-alongs, and (providing an absence of concentrated CH4 emissions) the company of fellow Spartan Trombones.

The typical Spartan Trombone has many hobbies, ranging from group improvisations to testing the aerodynamic properties of various cafeteria foods. A particular joy is creating edible sculptures for the Spartan Mellophones, who, for reasons inscrutable to the Spartan Bones, do not much enjoy them.

The Spartan Trombones are considered Good Role Models by all others and wherever a Spartan Trombone leads, the rest of the band follows.

Interested in the bones? Check out their section site.

High School Drama

Sequined dresses, flashing horns, amazing music, guard members that looked like dinosaurs - what could be better? Last Saturday I had the opportunity to travel down to Illinois State University for the "43rd Annual State of Illinois Invitational High School Marching Band Competition" (what a mouthful). This is one of the bigger contests that competing high school marching bands go to from late August to the beginning of November. This event in particular hosts over forty bands in Hancock Stadium, ranging from Class 1A to Class 6A. These categories may correspond to either the number of total students enrolled at the high school or the number of bodies on the marching field.

Once the band assembles on the field, it has about 10 minutes to perform the show the kids have been working on since summer began. There are 10 judges in total who grade the band in the following categories:

1. Musical Performance (individual and ensemble) - This judge walks about the field listening to how certain sections and how the band as a whole play blend together. Judges will listen for things like intonation, tone, rhythm, musicality, etc.
2. Visual Performance (individual and ensemble) - Judges will see if everyone is in step and will also view the show from the press box to see how clean the drill is.
3. Musical General Effect - Judges look to see if the music is played with dynamics and with emotion so that the crowd enjoys the show.
4. Visual General Effect - The drill should coordinate with the music to evoke excitement.

The scores of all judges are averaged to form a final score out of 100 points. Smaller classes (1A) will usually receive lower scores based on the fact that the bands simply don't have enough bodies to create as much sound or emotion based on drill as the bigger bands (6A) have. When I was in high school we deemed anything above a 60 as decent but above a 70 a job well done. The bands that really wow the crowds and their peers usually receive scores above 80 (i.e. Marion Catholic, Lincoln Way East). As to my knowledge there has never been a band to score a perfect 100. A show as mindblowing as that would be humanly impossible.

A winning show usually, but not always uses sounds besides instruments and props. For example, one band built a mini stage on which a choir of 15 stood and sang for 2/3 of the show. Bands have used giant posters, tarps, towers - basically anything to catch the attention of the crowd and to make the show memorable. The champion of the Illinois State competition featured a color guard member who ran onto a field in a giant, inflatable hampster ball - quite the crowd pleaser. However, I find that the bands who perform a solid show with no props are the most enjoyable to watch. There's nothing better than a traditional marching band. No props or singers to distract from the woodwinds that can't play certain licks in the piece.

The Practice Field

Question of the ages:

"Why do you do it? Your life would be easier without all those early morning rehearsals. The late night uniform repair. Frozen valves. Broken reeds. Marching rehearsals that just don't end. Rookies that just don't get it."

Occasionally, my logical, purely scientific brother asks me what's so great about band. He constantly criticizes the music the band plays, the forms it makes, and even the uniform style. He can do this because he's never been a part of band or any musical organization for that matter. Band, especially marching band, is one of those activities that you cannot truly understand fully until you've been a part of it. Nevertheless, for those interested in becoming more educated on college bands, I've just come across this site entitled, "The Practice Field." It's a website dedicated to Big 10 bands learning about their fellow bands. The information is provided by members of the band and any information you feel needs to be added can be reviewed using the "submit" form. This is a good site to get a broad overview. However, some bands have not been updated for quite some time (i.e. Purdue's last update was in 2003). In addition to the information on bands, there is also a forum where band members can talk with other band members. I'm sure the administrators would not be opposed to fans joining in on the conversation as "anything is allowed." This website is a great place for cross-country friendships to be formed between band members and even between those left-brained engineering types. In any case, why should anyone put up with marching band?

Here's your answer:

"Why put up with it all? You wouldn't be the same without those Inside jokes. The not intentionally dirty, but actually quite dirty director comments. Friendships that thrive even after you've seen each other every day for a month straight. Free t-shirts. Free football games. And if your lucky, the free bowl trips don't hurt.

You love band, don't you... Don't try and hide it."
[The Practice Field]

It's the truth.

Golden Gophers

This band, known as "The Pride of Minnesota," was formed in 1892 with 29 members, all of which were male. It was only during the WWII years when women from the concert band started "filling in" for the men. From that point on, women have been an important part of the band, even forming their own division until 1972 when they were officially incorporated into the band. Women continue to make progress in this organization. As recently as 2006, the first female drum major in the history of this band was chosen.

Currently, there are no required auditions in order to become a member except for the 30-piece drumline. All other instruments tryout for spots for pregame, where only 250 positions are available, the Monday before a game. However, no one is a bench warmer as everyone gets to march the halftime show. The University puts on an impressive pregame show with the impressive rotation of the Block "M." The following video features this and other pregame traditions:

For more information on the gopher band, check out their official website for more information. For an insider's view of the band, check out the ever-interesting trombone site where you can learn about bone traditions like the “Tmabone Musical Institute” Cake, the "Ski-U-Mah" plume cheer, and "Bone Jit-Su."

[the original University Cadet Band]

Banned Badgers

This past weekend the University of Wisconsin marching band was thrust into the spotlight, not for their amazing performance at the first Big 10 football game against none other than Ohio State, but for serious accusations of hazing within the band. On October 3, 2008, the band was suspended indefinitely by the director, Mike Leckrone. However, this is not the first time allegations similar to this one have been reported. In 2006, inappropriate behavior was recounted by students on a trip to Michigan. Since then, the director has taken many steps to improve band conduct by holding seminars on alcohol and sexual abuse. Yet it still seems that this culture is a custom and tradition for some sections. Leckrone says he will not give up and is determined to see the band culture change. For more information, check out this "BadgerBeat" article or this article from NBC.


Last year at about this time, this author was actually trying to decide between attending the University of Wisconsin versus coming to Purdue. It now seems I made the right decision. Right now, I'm part of one of the greatest bands in Purdue history. I could have just as easily been suspended at this point if I had decided on Wisconsin. It's times like these when you take enormous amounts of pride in your own university and what you do there (or rather, what you don't do).

Cleaning Tips

For those of us currently in marching band, keeping our uniforms clean can be a hassle. While the bulk of the uniform (pants and coats) may be dry-cleaned, the extra accessories are usually taken care of by the individual student. Here are some tips I've learned over the years when it come to taking care of a uniform.

First, the shoes. Depending on what type of finish the shoe has, you can either use all-purpose cleaner and may want to invest in some shoe polish. For example, in high school, we marched in MTXs which had a matted finish. For these shoes I preferred using "Kiwi Leather Cuir," not because I like endorsing the brand but because I could buy it on a trip to Wal-Mart. In college, we march in Dinkles. Currently I have no special way to get these super clean other than using some "409" and wiping them down with a paper towel.

Going along with the footwear theme, we come to the spats. Again, "409" works well on a majority of the surface of the spat. However, there is fabric trim on the tops and bottoms. To get these clean you can purchase a handy "Tide-to-Go" pen or any product of that cleaning family. If you're feeling ambitious, you can also hand wash spats in cold water and hang them to dry.

After taking care of your feet, you can move onto the hands. In high school, my band marched with black gloves, and there was no motivation to do any sort of cleaning. At Purdue, white glove are used. To take care of these, throwing them in any load of laundry will work. If you don't want any amount of shrinkage, hand washing them in cold water with a little bit of detergent works just as well.


Still moving up the body, we come to the hat and plume. The hat, like many other parts of the uniform can be cleaned with an all-purpose cleaner and wiped down with a paper towel if the material is water resistant. So far I haven't come across any fabric hats, but for those of you out there who may own one, I recommend the "Tide-to-Go" pen for any small stains. The plumes, on the other hand, can be a bit finicky. The best method I've seen so far is to mix cold water and something like "Woolite" in a small container or bucket and soak the plume. It's best to hang the plume up to dry, but if you're short on time, a blow dryer works just as well. Hopefully these tips help you look your best on the field.

University of Illinois

How many times have you asked yourself, "What the heck is a mellophone?" The answer to that is probably never or if ever, you may have been in an intoxicated state. Well today's the day when the question can be fully answered with a little help from our friends, the Fighting Illini. Check out the mellophone section's site to discover the difference between a mellophone, a Frumpet, and a marching french horn.

As anyone can see, these Illini are serious when it comes to marching band. The band performed their first halftime show in 1907 and have come a long way since then receiving the Sudler trophy in 1983. Like many Big 10 bands, the Marching Illini have traditions for every gameday such as pregame. After run-on, the band performs "Revised Entrance #3" to the school song, "Illinois Loyalty," and the fight song, "Oskee Wow Wow." "Illinois Loyalty" is one of the oldest school songs in existence with the exception of the University of Michigan's "Victors." In 1911, "Oskee Wow Wow" was composed by two students because the original school song didn't raise any school spirit whatsoever. [Interesting tidbit: The first recording of the fight song was made in 1925 on a Victrola record. Click here to listen.] The band also marches its U of I logos across the field before playing a number of patriotic songs according to the Marching Illini Official Site. Below is a video of part of Illini pregame:

"Dancing with the Band"

Na nadada nananana Macarena
Da danana danadadadana dada
Hum deedeedum dumdeedada Macarena
Hey- Macarena!

It's that song we all love (or despise) and can dance to in our sleep. But what do the lyrics truly mean? Here's an even better question- what are the lyrics?!
Here's the translation of the above version:

Dale a tu cuerpo alegria Macarena
Que tu cuerpo es pa' darle alegria y cosa buena
Dale a tu cuerpo alegria, Macarena
Heeeeey Macarena
AAAhAA!

[Los Del Rio]

Another translation into English tells us that Macarena is a girl who makes her body happy by dancing. It's no wonder why the AAMB chose to include this song its show "Dancing with the Band" which will premier this Saturday when Purdue plays Penn State. This show only consists of three songs because not only will the football team be traveling to Ross Aide, the band will be too. Sharing the field with Penn State requires that the band only march a seven minute halftime show. The first selection of music is Al Jarreau's "Boogie Down." Like many of the band's songs, it's an upbeat selection meant to get the crowd in a light-hearted mood. At the end of the song, the drill sets up the band into four major blocks. The next song the band performs is a medley of four popular line dances; hence the four band blocks. Bands will be dancing "Shout," the "Y.M.C.A.," the "Macarena," and the "Chicken Dance." Finally, everyone on the field joins together to dance the "Time Warp" from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Following this segment, the drum line breaks into a krupa beat, and the band continues the dancing theme with "Swing, Swing, Swing" from the Motion Picture 1941. This show is full of drum line features, including bringing out five drum sets onto the field while the entire color guard takes up cymbals. There are many more surprises in this short show, but you'll have to wait for halftime to experience it all.


Now for your entertainment, here's a short video involving the "Macarena." The only background information you need to know is that the policemen are not real.