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.