Marching Band

Summary

A marching band is a group of instrumental musicians who generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching or other movement with their musical performance. The size of the band can vary widely, but it typically includes brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. A high school marching band may only have 30 players while a university band may have over 400.

Marching bands often perform in parades, football games, and other events, and their music is often upbeat and energetic to match the lively atmosphere of these events. The band is usually led by a drum major who directs the band's movements and musical performance.

Instrumentation

The instrumentation of a marching band shares similarities with that of a concert band, but incorporates key modifications to enhance outdoor performance and facilitate movement. Notably, double reed instruments like oboes and bassoons are generally excluded. The percussion section is typically expanded and designed for greater mobility. Furthermore, certain instruments are substituted with alternatives more suitable for outdoor performances, such as:

Mellophones instead of French Horns

Sousaphones instead of Tubas

Marching Baritones instead of Baritones/Euphoniums

A marching band may vary widely in size consisting of 75 to 400+ performers. A typical ensemble would consist of the following:

1. WOODWINDS

   • 8-24 Flutes and/or Piccolos

   • 8-24 Clarinets

   • 1-4 Bass Clarinets (not common)

   • 8-24 Alto Saxophones

   • 2-16 Tenor Saxophones

   • 1-4 Baritone Saxophones (not common)

2. BRASS

   • 12-70 Trumpets

   • 6-24 Mellophones

   • 10-40 Trombones

   • 4-20 Baritones

   • 6-24 Sousaphones

3. DRUMLINE (also called the ”battery”)

   • 4-10 Snare Drums

   • 2-8 Tenor Drums (also called “Quad Toms” or just “Quads”)

   • 4-10 Marching Bass Drums

   • 1-4 Cymbals

4. Front Ensemble (also called the "pit")

   • 2-4 Mallet percussion instruments (Marimbas, Vibraphones, Xylophones)

   • 1 Timpani

   • 1-2 Auxiliary percussion (e.g., Chimes, Gongs, Tam-tams, Piatti)

   • 1-2 Synthesizers and other electronic instruments

   • *Most collegiate marching bands perform without a front ensemble

5. COLOR GUARD

   • 6-24 Guards

     • The color guard enhances the visual presentation of the marching band through choreographed routines featuring flag spinning, rifle tosses, and dance elements. While not contributing directly to the musical performance, their synchronized movements add a dynamic visual component that complements the band's sound. Some color guard units may also include featured baton twirlers to further augment the spectacle.

6. DRUM MAJORS

   • 1-4 Drum Majors

     • The drum majors serve as conductors, initiating pieces at the appropriate tempo and guiding the ensemble throughout the performance. Additionally, these skilled individuals often contribute to the visual spectacle by executing impressive maneuvers and choreographed movements.

7. STAFF

   • 2-8 Staff Members

     • Marching bands require substantial logistical support, particularly during travel. Staff members are essential for equipment management, transportation coordination, and catering arrangements, ensuring smooth operations both on and off the field.

Understanding Repertoire of Marching Bands

Marching bands and pep bands play a wide variety of music that is designed to energize and entertain audiences, particularly at sporting events, parades, and pep rallies. Their repertoire includes marches, fight songs, pop and rock hits, show tunes, movie themes, jazz, classical transcriptions, drum cadences, cheer chants, patriotic music, and original compositions. Here is a detailed description of the types of music they typically perform:

MARCHES

Marches are a staple of marching band repertoire. These pieces are characterized by a strong, steady rhythm and are often played at parades or during the band's field show performances.

Famous march composers include John Philip Sousa, known as the "March King," whose works like "The Stars and Stripes Forever" and "Semper Fidelis" are frequently performed.

FIGHT SONGS

Fight songs are spirited and lively tunes associated with a particular school or sports team. These songs are played to rally the crowd and boost team spirit during games and pep rallies. Each school usually has its own fight song, and bands often play these songs multiple times throughout an event.

POP & ROCK HITS

Marching and pep bands often perform arrangements of popular music, including current pop hits and classic rock songs. These arrangements are designed to be upbeat and recognizable, engaging the audience and creating an exciting atmosphere. Examples include songs by artists like Queen, Michael Jackson, and Bruno Mars.

SHOW TUNES & MOVIE THEMES

Music from Broadway shows and popular movies is also common in marching band and pep band repertoires. These pieces are often arranged to highlight the dramatic and dynamic elements of the original scores. Examples include themes from "Star Wars," "The Avengers," and "The Phantom of the Opera."

JAZZ & SWING

Some marching and pep bands incorporate jazz and swing tunes into their performances. These pieces often feature syncopated rhythms and opportunities for instrumental solos, adding variety and showcasing the musical talents of individual band members.

CLASSICAL TRANSCRIPTIONS & ARRANGEMENTS

Although less common, some marching bands perform transcriptions of classical music. These arrangements adapt orchestral works for the instrumentation of a marching band, allowing bands to perform pieces by composers like Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Holst.

DRUM CADENCES

Drum cadences are rhythmically complex pieces performed by the drumline, often while marching. These cadences are used to keep time and add a dynamic, percussive element to the band's performance. They are particularly popular during parades and when the band is moving from one place to another.

CHANTS & CHEERS

Pep bands frequently play short, repetitive pieces designed to encourage crowd participation and support for the team. These pieces often include simple, catchy melodies and rhythms that are easy for the audience to clap or chant along with.

PATRIOTIC

Patriotic tunes are a common feature of marching band performances, especially at events like parades and civic ceremonies. These pieces include national anthems, such as "The Star-Spangled Banner," and other patriotic songs like "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America."

CONTEMPORARY

Many marching bands also perform original compositions and custom arrangements written specifically for their ensemble. These pieces can be tailored to highlight the strengths of the band and are often used in competitive field shows.

Contemporary music encompasses compositions generally written after 1945. This broad category includes diverse genres such as serial, experimental, minimalist, and electronic music, each representing unique approaches to musical composition and expression.

10 Current Notable Marching Bands

• The Ohio State University Marching Band (Ohio, USA)

• University of Texas Longhorn Band (Texas, USA)

• University of Michigan Marching Band (Michigan, USA)

• Texas A&M Fightin' Texas Aggie Band (Texas, USA)

• University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band (California, USA)

• The University of Illinois Marching Illini (Illinois, USA)

• University of Notre Dame Marching Band (Indiana, USA)

• Florida A&M University Marching 100 (Florida, USA)

• Louisiana State University Tiger Marching Band (Louisiana, USA)

• Penn State Blue Band (Pennsylvania, USA)

Sources

• Rasmussen, R. (2007). "Marching Band Techniques and Methods." Oxford University Press.

• Smith, J. D. (2019). "The Evolution of the Modern Marching Band." Music Educators Journal, 105(2), 45-51.

• National Association for Music Education. (2023). "Guidelines for Marching Band Programs."

• Bailey, W. (2015). "Teaching Marching Band: A Comprehensive Manual." Meredith Music Publications.

• Garrison, N. (2018). "The History and Development of the American Marching Band." Journal of Band Research, 53(2), 1-15.