The 10 Best College Marching Bands Texas A&M Aggie Band Everything is bigger in Texas and the marching bands are no exception. Top College Marching Band Programs. University of Georgia- Redcoat Band, . There were lots of very elaborate and visually impressive pregames out there, but if it looked more like a halftime showdisguisedas a pregame, I gave them a lower ranking. The entire performance is dedicated to promoting state and national pride. The order of this list changes dyanimcally based on who likes what -- so make your voice heard by voting for your favorite . James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes 5. Forget everything you think you know about college marching bands. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/top-college-marching-band-programs-788278. A&Ms Fightin Texas Aggie Band performs at all home football games and some away games, as well as various school and community events throughout the year. Would you like to join a marching band one day? The game-day experience is not only full of anticipation, but thepageantry surrounding itthe pep-rallies, the tailgating and the music. In addition to university and national events the band performed in Hong Kong in 2010 as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, and in 2014 the band marched in the Dublin St. Patricks Day Parade. If youre looking for a little pre-game entertainment, be sure to check out these incredible college marching bands! But that is not the only place to see and hear the band play. By 1936, the band had become part of the University Fine Arts department and is now part of the University School of Music. Sometimes I had to watch two or three from the same school to get a sense of the entire pregame. In 2003 theMillion Dollar Bandwon the Sudler Award, which designates the equivalent of a national champion in college and university bands. Documents from the battle mention that the English Artillery had a "drumme and phife (or fyffe). The band marched in the 2007 Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in celebration of the state of Oklahomas one-hundredth anniversary. Students in the band are not required to be music majors; the MI boasts members from every academic discipline on campus. Not as many, perhaps, are aware of the universitys outstandingMillion Dollar Band that is every bit as much a Crimson Tide tradition as Alabama football. The Pride of the Southland Band is presently under the direction of Donald Ryder. 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. . Marching bands come in many sizes. These includeUSA Today, NCAA, ESPN, andTime. 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. Artist vs Musician Whats the Difference. We ranked the top 10 marching bands with the most badass traditions. The Fightin Texas Aggie Band is the largest military band in the nation with over 400 members and is famous for winning the Sudler Award in 2001. For now, here's this week's Fan Index top 10: 1. When. Students are required to audition for the band, both in music and in marching, and then, once admitted, must enroll in the marching band course for credit. The Pride also appears in parades. The Penn State Blue Band is one of the most diversified college marching bands in the country, and its a real treasure. Known for their precision and athleticism, the Penn State Blue Band is one of the most respected college marching bands in the country. This list of the 10 best college marching bands of all time is sure to get you fired up for some gridiron action. program (Rookie Auburn Tiger). This band plays at varsity sporting events, with the exception of their fall football games--the Marching Band performs at those games. With trademark Trojan regalia, the USC marching band is both one of the most recognizable and most highly regarded college marching bands in the country. The Penn State "Marching Blue Band" doesn't have to do much to get the crowd going in State College because, as many people have stated in the past, the Penn State faithful are nutz. The University of Michigan Marching Band is one of the most renowned college marching bands in the country. The Ohio State University Marching Band is the largest all brass band in the world (and percussion) Many bands use a glide step, also known as the roll step. The Oklahoma marching band knows how to get the party started. They play football well, produce some spectacular quarterbacks, and they have a shin-kicking marching band. Here at Down the Drive, we're counting down the 10 best bands in college football as we find ourselves less than three months shy of the kickoff of the 2019 season. Top 10 Legendary HBCU Marching Bands. The band was declared a Landmark of American Music by the National Music Council in 1976. Both bands have a long legacy of high-energy, high-quality performances. Here are 25 bands that put on must-see shows that elevate attending these schools game from a should go to a MUST GO!. Most importantly, all the bands listed here balance band practice with studying--your education always comes first. Procrastination: Why Wait The Athletic Band is also open to any interested students, whereas the Marching Band is audition-only. TheBruin Marching Bandis a 250 member group founded in 1928. Membership numbers vary, and a contingent of the band plays at every football game, both home and away. Texas A& M Aggie Band. Winners of the 2000 Sudler Trophy, the Redcoats were the first SEC marching band to receive this honor. Formed in 1888, the Trojan Marching Band is the oldest marching band in USC history. There are 260 people in the Hawkeye Marching Band. 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. The Redcoats were also at the 2018 College Football National Championship in Atlanta. The programs here are listed alphabetically by school, so there are no arbitrary distinctions between rankings. Texas Tech University Gameday 2012: Goin' Band from Raiderland Texas Tech University takes the entire thing about college marching bands very seriously indeed, even to the point of having a course available about it. The band is split into pep bands, taking turns playing at all home gamesboth in the stands, and during halftimeaway games, and several special events on- and off-campus. The band, now comprising over three hundred members, in addition to playing and marching at MSU home games, has maintained a tradition of taking its show on the road. The Marching Illini consists of around 350 members, (including the drumline and guard) with a portion of that group playing the pre-game and half-time shows at home football games. The All-American Marching Band made its debut a year before the Purdue football team and is the largest band in the Big Ten with 389 members. Texas A&M Aggie Band. Marching to the fight song The Eyes of Texas, the Longhorn Band is a source of pride for students, alumni, and fans alike. Bethune Cookman University Marching Wildcats. I like the simplicity of their pregame, but not much for the crowd to participate with. Here are 25 bands that put on must-see shows that elevate attending these schools game from a "should go" to a "MUST GO!" 1 University of Oklahoma Pride of Oklahoma 2 Boston College Screaming Eagles Marching Band 3 Louisiana State University Tiger Marching Band 4 1. The Ohio State University Marching Band is one of the most iconic and beloved college marching bands in the country. In addition to playing impressive halftime shows, the band also boasted Big Bertha, the largest bass drum in the world, for nearly 100 years. Whether at a football game or during a parade, these bands always put on a show. Voting for bands in this list that are so different is not an easy endeavor. Pharm D Degrees John Phillip Sousa also dubbed the Marching Illini as the "Worlds Greatest College Band.". In 1907, the band was first in breaking military rank and forming a block P for Purdue. It is also packed full off Texas-ness. has over 385 members. I wonder when, or how, LSU was able tocoordinate 90,000 people to clap the way they do while the "Golden Band from Tiger Land" takes the field. This allowed for harder music and more intricate shows. Wager, Liz. A forceful clash will give a high pitched sound while a less forceful clash will reduce the intensity of the sound. The band traces its history to 1557 during the battle of St. Quentin. University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band, 3. The UCLA band has made numerous international appearances including Tokyos Mirage Bowl and holds the honor of winning the 1993 Sudler Trophy. Membership is for all woodwind, brass, battery percussion, sideline percussion, colorguard, twirlers, and dance team. I used only videos I could find on Youtube. The squad from Tallahassee, Florida is known as "The Marching 100." Strong precision and ingenuity have. Whether youre a fan of college football or not, theres no denying that marching bands are an integral part of the game-day experience. Founded in 1885, the band was one of the first intercollegiate travel ensembles, performing in different since 1915. And though not everyone appreciates the marching bandspartly because they get far less exposure to national audiences than the football playersthese musicians bring something special to every game. The Trojan Marching Band is the spirit and soul of the University of Southern California. 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. I know of that probably fit in the top ten are Arizona State and Michigan States bands are not as large. The Blue Band has been a Penn State tradition for over a century, and their performances are an integral part of game days at Beaver Stadium. No extra fluff. Part of the military department of the university, the band was originally strictly cornets; now it is comprised of brass, winds, percussion (no bells or xylophones), a full color guard, and majorettes. 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. Ohio State University Marching Band 1. The Cal Band's pregame is "Game Time" from start to finish. Everyone knows that the action on the field is what matters at a college football game. The different styles of marching band hats have different names. Additionally, the band is known as Hollywoods Band of Choice and has over 300 members. If you want your school to be ranked higher then put some damn videos up. Over the years, the band has endured many changes, not the least of which was the decision to open membership to women in the 1940s. The Trojan Marching Band is best known for its unique style of low brass playing and its signature Trojan fanfare. Trade Schools The band also has opportunities you dont get outside of southern Calithings like playing at the Grammys and the Oscars, appearing at the Summer Olympics and performing with a diverse array of artists, including Beyonc, Fleetwood Mac, John Williams, Michael Jackson, and Radiohead. Ohio State University Marching Band. It is said the the Florida State University "MarchingChiefs" have never lost a halftime. Fight Songs: "On Iowa," "Iowa Fight Song," and "Roll Along Iowa". The Hawkeye Marching Band is one of the only bands that sings its alma mater before gamesin four-part harmony. They are important to every marching band, although the wood blocks are more of an experimental instrument than the glockenspiel. It is Texas, so there is a lot of crowd participation. Fight Song: War Eagle Glory to Ole Auburn, Other institutions need to give descriptive names to their bands in order to praise them. In addition,to live performances, the Sonic Boom was filmed for EA Sports NCAA 2005 video game. The Marching Blue Band has played at every major bowl game and had their photo appear in Vogue and W magazines in 2005. 1. As one of the most visible and recognizable bands in the country, the Trojan Marching Band plays an important role in promoting USCs image and spirit. Rhyeland (Author) If you think your favorite school is underestimated on this list, look up your favorite team on Youtube. They provide music throughout the game, playing the school fight song and other pieces, wowing the crowd with their harmony and energizing music.