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 Southern University and A&M College have a band that may be the most famous thing about the Louisiana school. Since then, he's been working to make music theory easy for over 1 million students in over 80 countries around the world. ThoughtCo. 5. Michigan States bands are not as large. 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 University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band is one of the most exciting and spirited groups on campus. It's slightly different at. Joining forces with Starter, the band now sells Human Jukeboxbranded apparel on a national scale. Texas A&M Aggie Band. The Illini, at present directed by Barry L. Houser, is drill focused and somewhat conservative in comparison to other marching bands. Across the country, these ensembles are known for their impressive productions and spirited performances. The Marching Hundred Marching Band was founded in 1896. They are important to every marching band, although the wood blocks are more of an experimental instrument than the glockenspiel. 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. Clarion. Pictured: Howard University Marching Band 10. 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. It took some time for me weave my way through all the videos out there, but I think I did a good job. Known as the Human Jukebox, this college marching band is highly regarded, and has won several awards for its playing and marching performances. This list of the 10 best college marching bands of all time is sure to get you fired up for some gridiron action. Several media outlets and publications have recognized the outstanding quality of the Human Jukebox. ", The Band of the Fighting Irish gets to play the "Notre Dame Victory March.". Now in its second century of performing, the 320 member Pride marching band, marches into the future with an evolving program that brings tradition into the present. Known for incredibly complex drill maneuvers and precision marching, this band maintains its high standards for all incoming and returning students. Their repertoire of upbeat, modern music is always impressive and entertaining. The band has also offered its talents for Walt Disney Productions and was featured, in 1988 and 1991, at the Bands of America Grand National Championships. 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. Students in the band are not required to be music majors; the MI boasts members from every academic discipline on campus. This allowed for harder music and more intricate shows. These include concerts, pep rallies, and community outreach events. Ohio University Marching 110. But, some people overlook the halftime action, as the players are in the locker room, but thats when the college marching bands shine the brightest. I believe the Largest Music The Human Jukebox is one of the only marching bands in the world with a partnership with an athletic clothing company. Famous performances by the band include the 1968 AFL All-Star Game and Super Bowl III. since even Ohio State and Penn State, Univ of Michigan, and 1 year online doctoral programs The University of Alabama "Million Dollar Band" is so good that they just walk onto the field with swagger. "Top College Marching Band Programs." When. https://www.thoughtco.com/top-college-marching-band-programs-788278 (accessed March 4, 2023). 3 Reeths-Puffer HS Marching Band - Muskegon, Michigan. By audition only, over eighty percent of the band members are from disciplines outside of music. Human Jukebox. University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band, 2. 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 University of Michigan Marching Band is one of the most renowned college marching bands in the country. 5. Wisconsin is also better known for producing more alcoholics than graduates. The University of Alabamas football team has more national championships than anybody. The Minuteman Marching Band played at the 1981, 1985, and 2001 Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies and won the Sudler Trophy in 1998. Coaching legend Bear Bryant often credited the band with helping the Crimson Tide win football games. The Pride of the Southland Marching Band is one of the oldest marching bands, having been founded in 1869. The University of Arkansas "Razorback Marching Band" isdefinitelya show-band. Winner of the 2002 Sudler Trophy for the outstanding collegiate marching band, the Spirit of Troy has been recognized byHuffington Post. Thatdealtmore with how much fan interaction, types of music played and tradition involved with the pregame. There are many high school and college marching University of Texas Longhorn Band. I was on the fence between Baylor or Texas Tech for a spot on this list, and the tie-breaker came down to how many more videos Tech had over Baylor on Youtube. The Hawkeye Marching Band is one of the only bands that sings its alma mater before gamesin four-part harmony. Quality Score 9. The Blue Band has marched in the Rose Parade in Pasadena and has appeared on the screen in the TV movie Something for Joey (1977) and the 1993 filmRudy. And the feather on top is called a plume. TheMarching Illiniof the University of Illinois is one of the oldest collegiate marching bands in the country. Ohio State University Marching Band. In addition to marching at football home games and major parades, the band has made tours of and performed on an international stage in Canada, Ireland, and Italy. 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. 1. For one, the bandeven if its just a small unitplays at every single football game. Many members of the band go on to successful careers in music and other fields. In 1983, the band was the first recipient of the Sudler Trophy. In 1990, under the direction of Morgan Jones, the Hawkeye Marching Band was awarded the Sudler Trophy as the top intercollegiate marching band in the country. Dan Farrant, the founder of Hello Music Theory, has been teaching music for over 15 years, helping hundreds of thousands of students unlock the joy of music. Several marching bands also use flags, rifles, or some other kind of prop in their routines. 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. And their passion for music and proud tradition is evident in every performance. Others that I know of that probably fit in the top ten are Arizona State and. They currently perform at over 350 engagements year, including (in recent years) international travel. Additionally, they have appeared in every presidential inauguration but one since 1953. 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. The group started 13 years after the end of the Civil War as part of the ROTC program. In 2017, theMillion Dollar Bandparticipated at the Bands of America Grand Nationals in Indianapolis. In 2007, the band traveled to Dublin to play and march in the St. Patricks Day Parade. These are the best of the best. Winners of the 2000 Sudler Trophy, the Redcoats were the first SEC marching band to receive this honor. University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band. Also known as The Best Damn Band in the Land, the OSU Marching Band has been delighting audiences with its visuals and sound for over a century. . Summing Up Our List Of The Greatest College Marching Bands, 13 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Thrash Metal Bands, 11 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Jam Bands, 10 Of The Most Famous Musicians From New Mexico, 21 Of The Best Songs About Rivers And Streams. TheAll-American Marching Bandat Purdue University has a storied tradition of band excellence through its long history. Some of the most notable features are the use of Cowbells, Big Bertha (the biggest marching drum in the world! Ohio State University Marching Band 1. 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. As a result, the Marching 110 has become a source of school pride for Ohio University students and alumni. TheMarching 110, directed by Dr. Richard Suk, is the most exciting band in the land. Having performed for over forty NFL halftime shows, and rallying fan support at every football home game, the Ohio Universitys marching band is one of the premier collegiate ensembles in the country. Long recognized as one of the top marching bands in the country the Pride was awarded the coveted Sudler Trophy in 1987. For the past 60 years, the Human Jukebox has performed in a number of parades, halftime shows, and, more recently, commercials and music videos. The next year the Tiger Marching Band was included in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. They have a "12th Man," so I'd figure out a way to use them more. Directed by Dowell Taylor, Roderick Little, and Lowell Hollinger, the Sonic Boom, sometimes called Hollywoods band of choice, and was featured in a TV special commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of Motown and in the 34th NAACP Image Awards. It is also packed full off Texas-ness. Purdue is known for its singular twirling line-up: the Silver Twins, the Girl in Black, and the Golden Girl. These twirlers are highly-sought after positions and are often considered the bands ambassadors. Whether youre a fan of college football or not, theres no denying that marching bands are an integral part of the game-day experience. More recently, the Marching Royal Dukes drum line was featured in Keith Urbans Love, Pain & the whole crazy World Tour in 2007 and 2008. Also, band directors throughout the SEC voted the Tiger Marching Band the best in the conference and in 2012 the Huffington Post named them one of the Top 10 College Marching Bands in the United States..