History of Marching Band

The U.S. marching band performance

From regimental bands parading with and accompanying soldiers into battle during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, to the half-time spectacles of today’s televised football games seen by millions, pulse-pounding march music rendered by colorful marching bands has been a part of America’s heritage since the country’s earliest days. Indeed, bands, parades, and Sousa’s famous march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” have come to symbolize freedom, democracy, and the good old United States of America itself.

The word “Band” derives from the Latin bandum meaning “banner,” and “company” and “crowd.” In popular usage “band” has come to mean any group of instruments, from jug to rock, but its specific meaning derives from the medieval music ensemble of louder instruments, primarily brass, reeds, and percussion, geared for performance out-of-doors; this is in contrast to the “orchestra” of softer instruments, strings, and woodwinds, performing in interior settings.

Marching Bands are mostly known for performing at the halftime games of American football games. The first halftime show performed by a marching band at a football game was the University of Illinois Marching Illini in 1907, the game was against the University of Chicago.

The fight song appeared at about the same time, which was associated with the university’s band. Known university fight songs are the University of Michigan “The Victors,” Notre Dame “Victory March,” and the United States Naval Academy’s “Anchors Aweigh,” which are used in various high schools through the United States.

The marching band began in the 1940s at what was then Jackson State College, now Jackson State University under the directorship of Frederick D. Hall, who had directed a band at the college as early as the 1920s, in addition to the chorus and orchestra. It was initially made up of students from Jackson College and Lanier High School.

The band marches with a high step, raising the knees to 90° and pointing the toes downwards. This military-style march is distinct from that employed by high school bands who march with a “corps step”, keeping feet close to the ground and landing heel first, rolling forward onto the toes. The marchers also sway their bodies side-to-side in unison. When the band performs displays, where the initials of the university (“JSU”) or other initials have formed the marchers, have to take exact steps of 22½ inches.

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