There are many marching bands in the US that march on different Adulting 101, Accredited Online Colleges Now under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Dye, the Band of the Fighting Irish continues as one of the oldest college bands in the country. Auburn University Marching Band: R.A.T. Like the other bands in this ranking, the primary job of the Marching Illini is performing at football home games to foster school spirit. One thing that sticks out to me when watching this pregame, even though it's much more "Show Time" rather than "Game Time," is that everyone in Neyland Stadium is on there feet, clapping and singing along. . The Athletic Band is also open to any interested students, whereas the Marching Band is audition-only. I believe the Largest Music The band has also been on the forefront of technology breakthroughs having been the first college band to release a CD in 1986 and the first to have a website in 1994. since even Ohio State and Penn State, Univ of Michigan, and As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Scheduled to take place Saturday, January 29th, the 2011 Invitational . In addition,to live performances, the Sonic Boom was filmed for EA Sports NCAA 2005 video game. The 380 member band won the 2004 Sudler Trophy and was one of six bands to compete in ESPNs Battle of the Bands. Next on the list are the Marching Illini, who hold the honor of being the first college band to perform in the Dublin, Ireland St. Patricks Day Parade. The "Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band performs an amazing pregame packed-full of old school formations similar to those found in marching band film from the 1950's. Ohio State University Marching Band. Conestoga High School Marching Pioneer Band. That is actually okay, though, because it is USC football and it doesn't take a lot to get the crowd going. Marching bands come in many sizes. This band plays at varsity sporting events, with the exception of their fall football games--the Marching Band performs at those games. Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images. With a broad fan base and national admirers, the University of Michigan Marching Band has a busy travel schedule performing at sporting events and band exhibitions across the country. Top 10 Best College Marching Bands Of All Time. The Tiger Band performs for all home football games as well as full-band away games and bowl games. It's not likeMinnesota football has done anything impressive within the past few years, or decades, but their marching band does offer you a decent game day atmosphere. With his and other coaches success, the Million Dollar Band has appeared in the halftime show of more than 50 postseason bowl games. By John Gentile. Bruins must also be at the top of their game. The 382 member band is presently directed by Jay Gephart, who continues to build upon and develop the Purdue marching band tradition at football games and other sporting events as well as parades and exhibitions throughout the U.S. and internationally. A total of 11,157 people in 317 bands, including a flag team of 1,092, marched at the Japan International Exposition Memorial Grand in Osaka, Japan on the 11 May 1997, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Music for Wind Instruments League in Kansai. 1. By 1929, membership had grown to about 100, and today, the band boasts about 400 members. The year 2008 saw the band become the first college marching band to perform in China at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Culture. The University of Tennessee isnt the first SEC school to have an exceptional marching band on this list, and it wont be the last. The band has also performed at a number of high-profile events. Winner of the 1986 Sudler Trophy, the band has made its mark at home and abroad, performing for U.S. presidents and with famous music artists such as Clay Walker and Willie Nelson. The over 360 member band has performed all over the world with its most notable appearance taking place at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. But that is not the only place to see and hear the band play. While Rocky Top isnt UTs official fight song, many people believe it to be since its so closely associated with the marching band; they play it often. Longhorn Bands famous Big Bertha drum made its debut in 1955 and has been a major part of their performances ever since. The Pride of Bethune-Cookman University, The Marching Wildcats, was top-ranked in two of this season's four polls, as was Miles College's Purple Marching Machine. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cornhusker Marching Band was founded in 1879 and is known as one of the oldest and best-known collegiate marching bands in the U.S. Because of the successful Husker college football program, this band is one of the more traveled bands in the country, having performed at all of the Plus I'm amazed how they created some form of crowd participation with the William TellOverture. 9. 3 Reeths-Puffer HS Marching Band - Muskegon, Michigan. The football program has long had a tradition excellence on the field, and right alongside the Longhorn Band has developed its reputation for brilliant musicality and precise choreography. Currently, the band has more than 300 members and rehearses three days a week during the marching season. 3 Reeths-Puffer HS Marching Band - Muskegon, Michigan. 1 Division I band, while Winston-Salem State was tops in the Division II rankings. The band gives an annual indoor concert and has appeared at halftime of Chicago Bears games. i can tell you that the Ohio State Marching Band is the best in the The band has played every Trojans home and road game since 1987 and is known as Hollywoods Band due to the large amount of appearances the band has made with celebrities. University of Alabama- Million Dollar Band #2. Elements of the bands halftime shows and game-day traditions date back to the 1920s, but the band took its current form in 1952. Winner of the 2002 Sudler Trophy for the outstanding collegiate marching band, the Spirit of Troy has been recognized byHuffington Post. In 2008, the band won first place in an ESPN band exhibition. When putting together this list I was looking for "Game Time" and lots of "Rah-Rah" and Michigan can do it all with one formation and one song; and everyone in the stands goes nutz. The band plays and marches at every Texas A&M football home game and many away games as well. The band is presently under the direction of Eric Allen and was in 1999 the recipient of the Sudler Trophy as the outstanding marching band of that year. It is said the the Florida State University "MarchingChiefs" have never lost a halftime. Fightin' Texas Aggie BandTexas A&M University. WC Pride of the Mountains pushes the envelope of what a marching band can do. Liz Wager wrote and edited college admissions articles on ThoughtCo for three years. When. University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band 3. Some Marching Bands do it much better than others, while some of the best college marchingbandsin the country miss the markcompletely. And their passion for music and proud tradition is evident in every performance. Voting for bands in this list that are so different is not an easy endeavor. This season's first ranking had Bethune-Cookman as the No. Home Rankings Online Schools How-to Scholarships 10 Advantages to Earning College Credit In High School Accelerated Bachelors Degree, Online Photography Degree After the National Anthem and salute to the opposing school, the band then performs a series of songs and formations to usher in "Game Time." If I couldn't find it then it isn't there. You can start by learning to read music. Online Pharmacy School Of course the pregame is clean and polished from start to finish, but more crowd participation would make this pregame a grand slam. With their Matador Style uniforms, which matches the Spanish architecture of the Texas Tech campus, the massive 400+membersGoin Band from Raiderland, is one of the most exciting band to watch. This list of the 10 best college marching bands of all time is sure to get you fired up for some gridiron action. More recently, the Marching Royal Dukes drum line was featured in Keith Urbans Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour in 2007 and 2008. The "Goin' Band From Raider Land" can, in any given year, have over 400 members. US college marching bands have been around for well over 100 years. And the feather on top is called a plume. Online Degrees by State, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 20 Accredited Online Schools - No Application Fees, 30 Cheap Online Doctorate (Ph.D.) Degrees. Under the direction of Dr. Timothy Rhea, the band is known for its military precision. University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band, 2. Known for its big sound and precise, traditional drill, this marching band can practice up to 40 hours per week. This 389-member band is this largest college marching band in the Big 10 and one of the largest in the nation. You wont hear them play a Beatles song, but John Philip Sousas marches are another story. The Michigan band was the first band to appear at Yankee Stadium and the Rose Bowl in the same season and was the first Big Ten band to perform at the Super Bowl. This list includes Chris Burnett, Brown University Band and more artists. The drum was eight feet in diameter, and upon its 2022 retirement, it was replaced by Big Bertha II, which is bigger than the first at nine and a half feet in diameter. Grambling: The Bayou Classic is a must-watch in the . In 1994, the band received the Sudler Trophy. The Penn State Blue Band is one of the most diversified college marching bands in the country, and its a real treasure. The band employs a blend of traditional and corps style maneuvers at all Texas Tech home games. Theyve also played on TV several times including the Motown 30th Anniversary and 34th NAACP Image Awards. In 1919, the band became an annual performer at the Indy 500. Rhyeland (Author) Also known as the Spirit of Troy, this world-renowned band has performed at Super Bowls, Olympics, and Presidential Inaugurations. A shako. They are truly one of the best marching bands in the country, and their performances are always a sight to behold. 1 Ohio State University Marching Band 408 votes College: The Ohio State University Founded: 1878 2 Purdue All-American Marching Band 145 votes College: Purdue University Founded: 1886 3 Sonic Boom of the South 241 votes College: Jackson State University Founded: 1940s 4 Marching Chiefs 132 votes College : Florida State University Founded: 1939 5 The Wisconsin Marching Band can be considered more like rock-stars than band geeks. September 10, 2010 Torrance, Calif. A spot in the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands ( www.hondabattleofthebands) Invitational Showcase is to a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band as a trip to Super Bowl XLV is to a professional football team. The University of Michigan Marching Band. Fight Song: War Eagle Glory to Ole Auburn, Other institutions need to give descriptive names to their bands in order to praise them. University of Southern California's Trojan Marching Band (TMB) 1. Fall Saturdays can be exhilarating times, what with college football in full effect. To be fair, the Texas Longhorn Marching Band does refer to themselves the "Show-band of the Southwest," though. Jackson States band has performed halftime shows for several NFL teams including the Falcons, Lions, Saints, and Bengals. Best is an arbitrary term here, but for me, they are it. This is one of my favorite pregames because everything is geared towards school pride and the football game itself. When the Super Bowl was held in Minnesota in 2018, the Pride performed during the halftime show with Justin Timberlake, and the Pride performed earlier at Super Bowl XXVI in 1992. Wager, Liz. The band has performed for several U.S. presidents, played in five Rose Bowls, two Worlds Fairs. Students in the band are not required to be music majors; the MI boasts members from every academic discipline on campus. Why? Named for the original number of band members, the Marching 110 now includes over 240 members. The band performances reach back to its founding principles and bring them forward in musical and marching performances designed to delight, impress, and entertain audiences of all ages. Band members keep track of how many times they play Boomer Sooner, the schools fight song, each football season, and the number is often in the 900s. Top 10 HBCU Division I Bands Auxiliaries Southern University Alabama State University Hampton University Norfolk State University Alcorn State University Drum Major Bethune-Cookman University Alabama State University Jackson State University Florida A&M University Southern University Musicality Florida A&M University Bethune-Cookman University And in 2010, the All-American Marching Band of Purdue University become the first Big Ten conference band to march in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. With the athletic successes of the university, the band has performed on the national stage in several bowl games as well as exhibitions, parades and other events throughout the country. Fight on, State! played by theBlue Bandof Penn State University rouses Nittany Lions fans to cheer on their football team in the best spirit of intercollegiate athletics. A forceful clash will give a high pitched sound while a less forceful clash will reduce the intensity of the sound. If youre looking for a little pre-game entertainment, be sure to check out these incredible college marching bands! This step involves bringing the heel to the ground with the toe . Students are either placed in the main block or the reserve block, determined after an audition at the summer band camp. In 2007, the band traveled to Dublin to play and march in the St. Patricks Day Parade. The Ohio State pregame is about as traditional as you can possibly get in college football. We ranked the top 10 marching bands with the most badass traditions. While small compared to most of the bands on this list, the 180 member Screaming Eagles have played at numerous events including the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Japan Bowl in Yokohama. They are important to every marching band, although the wood blocks are more of an experimental instrument than the glockenspiel. The Pride also appears in parades. The Minuteman Marching Band played at the 1981, 1985, and 2001 Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies and won the Sudler Trophy in 1998. Today, the Pride of the Southland Band is best known for its elaborate halftime shows, which feature intricate formations and dazzling pyrotechnics. Formed in 1880, the band is now over 300 members and is the largest pep groups on the USC campus. The Marching Royal Dukes have developed a strong international following as a result of several tours all over Europe. In 2012, CNN Headline News called the Hawkeye Marching Band One of the top ten best college marching bands in the nation! And, in 2014, Sports Illustrated website raved: the Hawkeyes marching band is one of 7 Big Ten Halftime Shows Worth the Watch., Fight Songs: Illinois Loyalty and Oskee Wow Wow. The Human Jukebox Marching Band has an app and has been recognized as one of the top bands in the country by several media outlets including USA Today and ESPN. The quality of the music, the precision of its drills, and the fine image that it portrays have made it unnecessary for us to say more than, This is the Auburn University Band.'. 19. Clarion. Please feel free to comment on my results. In 2003 theMillion Dollar Bandwon the Sudler Award, which designates the equivalent of a national champion in college and university bands. Hawkeye Marching Band is one of the top college marching bands. The traditional marching band features woodwind, brass, and percussion. ThoughtCo. Founded in 1900, theLonghorn Band has been a mainstay as Texas football games for decades. The 10 Best College Marching Bands Texas A&M Aggie Band Everything is bigger in Texas and the marching bands are no exception. With only about 30% of the band members being music majors, any students who play an instrument are welcome to audition for the world-renowned group. That annual battle occurs at the Grambling-Southern football game and is one of the few halftime shows that gets national airtime. Established in 1867, that band now boasts around 375 members. Here are 25 bands that put on must-see shows that elevate attending these schools game from a should go to a MUST GO!, Appalachian State Mountaineers Basketball, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. The band is best known for leading the USC faithful in rallying behind the Trojan football team and other USC athletic events. The Pride of the Southland Band is presently under the direction of Donald Ryder. He graduated from The Royal Academy of Music in 2012 and then launched Hello Music Theory in 2014. The Cornhusker Marching Band is one of the oldest in the country dating back to 1879. In 2017, theMillion Dollar Bandparticipated at the Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indianapolis. If you think your favorite school is underestimated on this list, look up your favorite team on Youtube. University marching band's. Procrastination: Why Wait For one, the bandeven if its just a small unitplays at every single football game. Boasting over 400 members, the band is the largest student organization at the University of Alabama. You might not expect to find one of the best college marching bands in the country in a small town in Ohio, but thats exactly where youll find the Ohio University Marching 110. Across the country, these ensembles are known for their impressive productions and spirited performances. competition levels. Architecture Degree TheBadger Bandhas been a fixture for Wisconsin football in rallying school spirit. With a few modern additions, this pregame is a total throw back. I hope this helped a little bit. Their season extends through the football bowl season and includes football games and other exhibitions. The band has been a staple of Purdue athletics for over a century, and their performances are always a highlight of any game day. . I watched a ton of videos for this list. And while the band always marches at halftime in that game and many away games, the group has also notched multiple national television appearances and recorded more than a dozen full-length albums since 1972. While A&M started as a military college, it gradually shifted to a more traditional university, which began attracting more students. Ohio State University Marching Band. I've always said there are a million ways to describe someone from West Virginia, but they sure can put classical art on the fieldin a "Game Time" fashion too. Michigan States bands are not as large. With over 350 members, the Pride of the Southland Band is one of the largest college marching bands in the country. I almost shrugged off this pregame as "Show Time" until the end when they formed the Minnesota "M" and what little crowd was in the stands began to cheer loud and chant. They returned to the Super Bowl in the 1980s and played for President Obamas first inauguration. At halftime . Did your band make the cut? Dating back to 1904, the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band fields upwards of 300 band and auxiliary members for halftime shows, and like most other college bands, smaller contingents play at other sporting events like basketball games. How many times in this pregame does the band stray from the LSU formation? Under the direction of Gregory Drane, the band performs at all Penn State home football games as well as other sporting events. The "Pride of the Sunshine" doesn't march onto the field, they chomp their way on to it. Established in 1925 and boasting over 400 performers, the Goin Band from Raiderland is both the oldest and largest student organization on the Texas Tech campus. Known for its elaborate and highly technical programs, in 1988, the Spartan Marching Band was awarded the Sudler Trophy as the top intercollegiate marching band in the United States. The marching band is a staple of American college life. The University of Nebraska "Cornhusker Marching Band" offers lots ofopportunitiesto clap-along, but not many to sing-along. Since 2016, the Pride of Minnesota has been under the direction of Betsy McCann and continues to perform one of the longest and most difficult programs of any collegiate band in the country. Wisconsin is also better known for producing more alcoholics than graduates. The bands most famous routine is the Floating Lion Drill where they spell out LIONS across the field. In 1983, the band was the first recipient of the Sudler Trophy. Wager, Liz. The University of Southern Californias band, also known as the Spirit of Troy and the Hollywood Band, does a lot of things most other bands dont or cant. Fun tidbit: The Blue Band's twirler is called "Blue Sapphire." 3. Founded just after the Civil War, the now 350-memberPride of the Southland Band is regarded throughout the world as one of the countrys most outstanding collegiate marching. Of all the pregames in college football, the Ohio State has by far the most basic show: ramp entrance, one fight song down the field, the other team's fight song up the field, the "Script Ohio," the team entrance and the National Anthem. Here weve listed 11 of the best college marching bands around. ThoughtCo, Jul. Students do not have to be music majors to participate in band, however, students in the band will be enrolled in a year-long course for the band. 5. to pass a tryout, and even after they make it in the band they all Because the people fromTennesseesay so. Ohio State University Marching Band 1. Since the state of Texas is renowned for its high school music programs, A&M began getting an influx of intensely talented players in the 1970s and on. 20 of the Best Engelbert Humperdinck Songs of All Time, 20 of the Best Breaking Benjamin Songs of All Time, The 30 Most Popular Karaoke Songs of All Time, 1. I know that the Middle Tennessee State University Band of Blue