Crowd participation is off the charts. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Purdue University All-American Marching Band, 10. The Marching Hundred Marching Band was founded in 1896. Several marching bands also use flags, rifles, or some other kind of prop in their routines. 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. You can start by learning to read music. With a whopping 22% of the entire 2022 Top HBCU Bands poll on its own, we celebrate Prairie View A&M University's (PVAMU) The Marching Storm Band for the true force of nature that it is. The Marching Illini of the University of Illinois is one of the oldest collegiate marching bands in the country. With a few modern additions, this pregame is a total throw back. University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band 3. Top 10 College Marching Bands in the United States The Top Ten 1 Western Carolina Pride of the Mountains Mind boggling production. Founded in 1885, the band was one of the first intercollegiate travel ensembles, performing in different since 1915. TheMarching Band held its first rehearsal in 1896 and first publically performed the next year. University of Alabama- Million Dollar Band #2. Read on to learn about them! Fight Song: "Oskee Wow-Wow". The marching band was founded in 1881 to provide music for the State University of Iowa Battalion. 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 One of the unique things about the Cal Band is that it is run by students rather than the schools music department. These includeUSA Today, NCAA, ESPN, andTime. More videos means for fan appreciation. have to audition every week to be able to play in the game. 1. Founded in 1893, theTiger Marching Bandhas 325 members and is the largest single organization in the university. Architecture Degree competition levels. Which is the best marching band in college? 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. The Pride also appears in parades. Fans of college football wellknow of the dominance of the University of Alabama football team over the past decade. Here is the deal. 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. Fight Song: War Eagle Glory to Ole Auburn, Other institutions need to give descriptive names to their bands in order to praise them. Mark time mark! #4. Florida A&M University The Marching "100" 2. Apparently,Tennessee's pregame is unrivaled in college football. While other bands play modern music in their halftime shows, Texas A&Ms Fightin Texas Aggie Band is a strictly traditional military marching band. James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes 5. The Georgia Tech "Yellowjacket Marching Band" is truly one of the best marching bands in the country. University of Tennessee Pride of the Southland Band 3. There isnothing more "Game Time" then that. Consider your mind blown at the sight of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band . The band marched in the 2007 Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in celebration of the state of Oklahomas one-hundredth anniversary. I can't search for them if they're not there. The band has appeared in dozens of films and TV broadcasts and has performed with some pop music stars. In addition to performing at Purdue football games, the All-American Marching Band has also performed at the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rose Bowl, and the Presidential Inauguration. In addition to playing at football games, the Blue Band also performs at a variety of other events throughout the year. Unlike other bands, the Fightin Texas Aggie Band works according to military guidelines because the band is a part of the Corps of Cadets. Purdue University "All-American" Marching Band. Find on Ebay Customer Reviews. And the feather on top is called a plume. The band is also famous for playing six Super Bowls, and the Saints returned to the Superdome in 2006. i can tell you that the Ohio State Marching Band is the best in the 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.. There is a big difference between "Show Time" and "Game Time.". The Marching Royal Dukes won the Sudler Trophy in 1994 and have performed at three regular seasons NFL games and one NFC Championship Game. Some have just a few dozen members. Southern University and A&M College have a band that may be the most famous thing about the Louisiana school. "Top College Marching Band Programs." Bethune Cookman University Marching Wildcats. The "Trojan Marching Band" puts on a real "Game Time" performance. The Badger Band also marches in and performs in parades, concerts, and exhibitions around the state of Wisconsin. The different styles of marching band hats have different names. After an Alabama loss in the 1920s, a sportswriter asked a former player what Alabama had going for. It may sound like a lame way to scope fan appreciation, but when you look at Ohio State vs. Baylor in terms of pregame videos, Ohio State has over 200 more videos than Baylor does. Popularity Score 9.7. 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 "Blue Band" puts on traditions such as the pregame "Floating Lions Drill" and the drum major flip. The number of Pregame videos per school on Youtube made a big difference in my judging because if there were more videos available for any specific pregame, then there is more fan appreciation for it. Fall evokes thoughts of Saturday college football, frenzied fans, and rousing renditions of the university fight song by the marching band. Ohio State University Marching Band. In addition to performing at sports events, the band performs two indoor concerts at Northrop Auditorium, and every other year at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota. Under the direction of Gregory Drane, the band performs at all Penn State home football games as well as other sporting events. 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. They play football well, produce some spectacular quarterbacks, and they have a shin-kicking marching band. While A&M started as a military college, it gradually shifted to a more traditional university, which began attracting more students. Interior Design Programs "The Pride of Oklahoma," Oklahoma Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images Quality Score 9. Plus I'm amazed how they created some form of crowd participation with the William TellOverture. The Tiger Band performs for all home football games as well as full-band away games and bowl games. Grambling: The Bayou Classic is a must-watch in the . Longhorn Bands famous Big Bertha drum made its debut in 1955 and has been a major part of their performances ever since. Privacy Policy Sitemap Contact About Posts. The band also has international acclaim, having performed at athletic events in Australia, Japan, and Brazilsomething not all marching bands on this list can boast. Fun tidbit: The Blue Band's twirler is called "Blue Sapphire." 3. Fight Songs: On Iowa, Iowa Fight Song, and Roll Along Iowa. 10. In 1907, the band was first in breaking military rank and forming a block P for Purdue. With over 350 members, the Pride of the Southland Band is one of the largest college marching bands in the country. The Pride of Oklahoma has come a long way since their humble beginnings as a pep band in the early 1900s and today is one of the premier marching bands in the country having performed at numerous Bowl Games over the years. The Texas Aggie Band is a 400+ member military marching band - the largest of its kind. 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. The West Virginia University "Mountaineer Marching Band" has Copeland's "Simple Gifts of anAppalachianSpring" to play with. I wish there was more added to the entrance because it was a very climatic moment. I hope this helped a little bit. University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band. The Longhorn Band incorporates woodwinds, brass, percussion, and a full color guard in their energetic and enthusiastic ensemble. Big time college football fans know that there is more to the allure than just the action on the field when it comes to college football. We ranked the top 10 marching bands with the most badass traditions. With a program that incorporates a dance troupe with outstanding musical and choreographic execution, the band has performed at numerous NFL games, including six Super Bowls, and exhibitions, in addition to rallying school spirit at Southern football games. What are the top 10 largest college marching band. Program wikipedia.org Auburn welcomes its new members with a program called the R.A.T. They are truly one of the best marching bands in the country, and their performances are always a sight to behold. Auburn University- The Auburn University Marching Band #3. Sentiment Score 9.5. If it looked like "Game Time," I ranked that school higher. 3 Reeths-Puffer HS Marching Band - Muskegon, Michigan. Thatdealtmore with how much fan interaction, types of music played and tradition involved with the pregame. 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. 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 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. 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. Joe Robbins/Getty Images . This band plays at varsity sporting events, with the exception of their fall football games--the Marching Band performs at those games. Founded in 1900 by a chemistry professor, the University of Texas Longhorn Band (also called Showband of the Southwest) is yet another outstanding program that puts on eye-catching halftime spectacles and has played Super Bowls and presidential inaugurations. University of Iowa -Hawkeye Marching Band. 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 Pride of Oklahoma," Oklahoma HBCU school bands take on a revered, mythical status. University of Southern California's Trojan Marching Band (TMB) 1. 10 Mind-Blowing College Marching Band Cover Songs. Known for their precision and spirit, the Longhorn Band performs at all home football games and represents the university at various events around the world. 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. Every fall, they perform at all home football games, adding to the game day experience for fans and supporting the team on the field. The entire performance is dedicated to promoting state and national pride. Documents from the battle mention that the English Artillery had a "drumme and phife (or fyffe). 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 "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. I honestly cant tell you the top ten college marching bands. And their passion for music and proud tradition is evident in every performance. since even Ohio State and Penn State, Univ of Michigan, and That is actually okay, though, because it is USC football and it doesn't take a lot to get the crowd going. ago Colleges with Opportunities for Music Non-Majors, Great Summer Music Programs for High School Students, Georgian Court University GPA, SAT and ACT Data, Illinois Wesleyan University GPA, SAT and ACT Data, Moore College of Art and Design Admissions, Top Middle Atlantic Colleges and Universities, opportunities for students who aren't music majors. If you think your favorite school is underestimated on this list, look up your favorite team on Youtube. 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. Hardest College Majors Because it is a military band, its marches are exclusively traditional. Long recognized as one of the top marching bands in the country the Pride was awarded the coveted Sudler Trophy in 1987. It's slightly different at. It is comprised entirely of students from the schools military group, The Corps of Cadets, and is the largest Military Band in the world. The Fightin Aggies have performed in front of many U.S. presidents. Founded in 1869, the band has a long history of entertaining audiences with its high-energy performances. The Michigan Marching Band is composed of woodwind, brass, and percussion, with a full color guard. The Illini, at present directed by Barry L. Houser, is drill focused and somewhat conservative in comparison to other marching bands. Under the direction of John Pasquale, the Michigan Marching Band has come a long way since it first consisted of 22 musicians in 1896. Dpt Programs Voting for bands in this list that are so different is not an easy endeavor. Marching to the fight song The Eyes of Texas, the Longhorn Band is a source of pride for students, alumni, and fans alike. The band has been a staple of Purdue athletics for over a century, and their performances are always a highlight of any game day. While theGoldenGophers may be lacking "W's," they're still in the B1G and need to have a pregame to prove it. Sometimes I had to watch two or three from the same school to get a sense of the entire pregame. However, the quality of musical sounds and the outstanding drill precision the band employs along with its long and hallowed tradition makes the Marching Illini an exceptional college marching band. When OU went on a years-long winning streak in the 1950s, the bands stock rose alongside that of the football team because they got so much exposure just by being associated with such a successful program. No extra fluff. The modern football fan gets treated to elaborate halftime performances with highly stylized choreographed routines that sometimes even trump the actual game. By audition only, over eighty percent of the band members are from disciplines outside of music. 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. Florida A&M's marching band has built a legendary program over the last few decades. And, in 2013, the 483 member band marched in the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade. With a stellar drumline, classic formations, and a rousing song repertoire, Michigan's marching band is a tough act to follow. The University of Oklahoma does a lot of things well. Membership is for all woodwind, brass, battery percussion, sideline percussion, colorguard, twirlers, and dance team. 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 Minuteman Marching Band played at the 1981, 1985, and 2001 Presidential Inauguration Ceremonies and won the Sudler Trophy in 1998. The band has also performed for U.S. presidents and first ladies. 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. I know of that probably fit in the top ten are Arizona State and Conestoga High School Marching Pioneer Band. TheSpirit of Troy marching band sums up and channels the USC spirit. Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions get in touch! The "Goin' Band From Raider Land" can, in any given year, have over 400 members. John Phillip Sousa also dubbed the Marching Illini as the "Worlds Greatest College Band.". Because of the subjective nature of evaluating musical and marching traditions, this ranking presents the bands in alphabetical order. bands as well as drum corps. Accelerated Bachelors Degree, Online Photography Degree The band has an instrumental version of the song, but their sung rendition is so popular, they rarely break out the instruments for it. 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. As with most pregames created post-9/11, there is a lot of "God Bless America" involved, but the band's entrance, crowd participation and overall energy level make this pregame very intense. The "Marching Hundred" Marching Band was founded in 1896. Named for the original number of band members, the Marching 110 now includes over 240 members. 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. Top 10 Best College Marching Bands Of All Time. Purdue University All-American Marching Band. As the official band of USC, the Trojan Marching Band represents the university at a variety of events, both on and off campus. #1 James Madison University with around 475 members. Not only do the Marching Royal Dukes entertain university football fans, but the band has also appeared in presidential and gubernatorial inaugurations and has performed in many NFL halftime shows. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The band has released 13 albums since 1967 and is famous for its wild antics. Every year, thousands of fans flock to Athens, Ohio to watch the Marching 110 perform at home football games. The band has performed for several U.S. presidents, played in five Rose Bowls, two Worlds Fairs. And, the band has been performing at university events, especially football and other sports, for over 100 years old and has become one of the most highly respected university marchingbands in the United States. It is Texas, so there is a lot of crowd participation. Known as the Human Jukebox, this college marching band is highly regarded, and has won several awards for its playing and marching performances. That year, the band split with the ROTC and became part of the college of music. ), Script Texas, and Block T. Founded in 1894, theFightin Texas Aggie Bandis a 300+member military marching band, making it the biggest such band in the country. 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 University of Michigan Marching Band. Presently under the direction of Dr. David Thornton, the Spartan Marching Band continues to amaze crowds with its intricate percussion cadences and overall outstanding level of musical and organizational quality. The band was the first to break line ranks, to form a letter on the field (now a common practice, with much more intricate drill routines). 5 Pride of Bixby, Bixby HS - Bixby, OK. Under the direction of Dr. Timothy Rhea, the band is known for its military precision. Today, the Pride of the Southland Band is best known for its elaborate halftime shows, which feature intricate formations and dazzling pyrotechnics. University of Oklahoma Pride of Oklahoma Fall Saturdays can be exhilarating times, what with college football in full effect. The "Blue Band" puts on traditions such as the pregame "Floating Lions Drill" and the drum major flip. 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. Why? All Popular Articles, Best Online Certificate Programs Established in 1867, that band now boasts around 375 members. Most importantly, all the bands listed here balance band practice with studying--your education always comes first. Music majors represent less than 25% of the group. The Purdue University marching band, formed in 1886, was originally 5 members. 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. The programs here are listed alphabetically by school, so there are no arbitrary distinctions between rankings. 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. Best College Marching Bands 2021 | GreatValueColleges Colleges today have completely revolutionized the idea of a "band geek" into entertainment machines that are competing to be great college marching bands. Not only do they add historical value to the colleges they play for, but they also boost morale of the players and fans during games. 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. In 2005, the Blue Band was awarded the Sudler Trophy as the top band in the country for that year. This season's first ranking had Bethune-Cookman as the No. When most schools need something sung, they go to the choir to get it done. Formed in 1880, the band is now over 300 members and is the largest pep groups on the USC campus.