Chair step
Encyclopedia
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
s. This step is named because of the resemblance of the leg
Human leg
The human leg is the entire lower extremity or limb of the human body, including the foot, thigh and even the hip or gluteal region; however, the precise definition in human anatomy refers only to the section of the lower limb extending from the knee to the ankle.Legs are used for standing,...
in action to a leg's position when sitting in a chair
Chair
A chair is a stable, raised surface used to sit on, commonly for use by one person. Chairs are most often supported by four legs and have a back; however, a chair can have three legs or could have a different shape depending on the criteria of the chair specifications. A chair without a back or...
. It is primarily used by bands that define themselves as traditional style bands. The bands of the Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
athletic conference are most widely known for their chair step.
The chair step emphasizes leg movement with a sharp pop on each step, during which the thigh of the action leg may raise as high as parallel to the ground, with the lower part of the leg and foot remaining out. As with the ankle knee step
Ankle knee step
The ankle knee step is a type of high step used by marching bands. It is named such because when executed properly, the ankle of one leg should be at the height of the knee of the other leg...
, the toe is the last part of the foot to leave the ground and the first to reconnect.
This is the basic step used for most field marching in traditional style bands. Most bands, such as the University of Minnesota Marching Band, will emphasize that the knee be at a 90-degree angle. Other bands, such as the University of Wisconsin Marching Band
University of Wisconsin Marching Band
The University of Wisconsin Marching Band is the marching band for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It was formed with 11 members in the fall of 1885 to support the military battalion. Today, it has grown to over 300 members and performs at all Badger home football games.-History:The...
(seen pictured) will use a 45-degree angle.
One element of chair step highlighted by many bands is a horn flip that is executed during the march.
Chair step is also very common in Mid-West high school marching bands, as it clearly defines the march, and is easy to learn.
History
John "High 'Steppin" Hudak of the Falcon Marching Band (Rochester High School) invented what he calls the "High Step" an early form of the chair step. Back when he was in marching band, he decided "we're not working hard enough" and suggested the idea of a marching style that emphasizes the knee being at a 90-degree angle with the toe pointed towards the ground. This has been used ever since in the Falcon Marching Band and altered for the other bands' uses.Stop at the Top
While most marching bands execute the chair step in a smooth continuous motion, some marching bands emphasize a pause at the height of the step. This makes for a more physically demanding marching style as well as a more dynamic appearance. The University of Wisconsin Marching Band is the only band that uses the Stop at the Top.Bands that use Chair Step
- Falcon Marching Band (Rochester High School)
- The Pride of Highland Marching Band (Highland High School)
- The Kent State University Marching Golden Flashes (Kent State University)
- Falcon Marching BandFalcon Marching BandThe Falcon Marching Band is the marching band of Bowling Green State University. It features a symphonic sound and chair step marching that rivals bands of larger conferences. Under the direction of Dr. Carol Hayward, the 275 member marching band is the largest student organization on campus...
(Bowling Green State University) - Purdue All-American Marching BandPurdue All-American Marching BandThe Purdue "All-American" Marching Band is the marching band of Purdue University. The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band is the primary source of auxiliary entertainment for Purdue University football games...
(Purdue University) - Indiana University Marching HundredIndiana University Marching HundredThe Marching Hundred is Indiana University's marching band. Indiana University's famed Marching Hundred is the product of tradition dating back to the organization of the first band at Indiana in 1896. Originally founded to provide recreation for interested students, the 22-piece band of 1896...
(Indiana University) - Marching IlliniMarching IlliniThe Marching Illini is the marching band of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The Marching Illini is a close-knit organization which annually includes approximately 350 students enrolled in the University of Illinois...
(University of Illinois) - Brush Arcs Marching Band (Brush BandsBrush BandsThe Brush Bands belongs to Charles F. Brush High School in Lyndhurst, Ohio. It is currently the largest organization in the school, with roughly 175 students involved. The marching band performs at all football games, as well as community parades and events in Cleveland, Ohio...
) (Charles F. Brush High School) - Penn State Blue BandPenn State Blue BandThe Penn State University Marching Blue Band, known generally as the Blue Band, is the marching band of Pennsylvania State University. Founded in 1899, it is the largest recognized student organization at the University Park campus of Penn State, presently with over 300 active student members...
(The Pennsylvania State University) - The Pride of Minnesota (University of Minnesota)
- The Ohio State University Marching BandThe Ohio State University Marching BandThe Ohio State University Marching Band performs at Ohio State football games and other events during the fall quarter...
(The Ohio State University) - University of Wisconsin Marching BandUniversity of Wisconsin Marching BandThe University of Wisconsin Marching Band is the marching band for the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It was formed with 11 members in the fall of 1885 to support the military battalion. Today, it has grown to over 300 members and performs at all Badger home football games.-History:The...
(University of Wisconsin) - Michigan State University Spartan Marching BandMichigan State University Spartan Marching BandThe Spartan Marching Band is Michigan State University's Marching Band. Founded in 1870 as a 10-member student group, the 300-member SMB has since grown into one of the premier college bands in the nation...
(Michigan State University) - Michigan Marching BandMichigan Marching BandThe Michigan Marching Band is the University of Michigan's marching band.-History:In 1896 the MMB was founded as a student organization and became a firm part of the Michigan tradition in 1898. Shortly after William D. Revelli became director he aligned the MMB with the School of Music which...
(University of Michigan) - Northwestern Wildcat Marching Band (Northwestern)
- Hawkeye Marching BandHawkeye Marching BandThe Hawkeye Marching Band is the marching band for the University of Iowa. 255 members strong, it performs at all home Hawkeye football games inside historic Kinnick Stadium. It is the largest and most visible musical ensemble at the university and was awarded the Louis Sudler Intercollegiate...
(University of Iowa) - Band of the Fighting IrishBand of the Fighting IrishThe Band of the Fighting Irish is the marching band of the University of Notre Dame. The over 380 members of the band represent nearly every field of study, and include students from all fifty states as well as from overseas...
(The University of Notre Dame) - Marching ChiefsMarching ChiefsSince 1949, the name Marching Chiefs has served as the official title of the marching band of The Florida State University. The Marching Chiefs is the largest college marching band in the world with approximately 470 members.-History:...
(Florida State University) - Spirit of TroySpirit of TroyThe Spirit of Troy, also known as the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band , self-described as "The Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe," represents USC at various collegiate sports, broadcast, popular music recording, and national public appearance functions.The...
(University of Southern California) - University of Washington Husky Marching BandUniversity of Washington Husky Marching BandThe University of Washington Husky Marching Band is a 240-member ensemble utilizing the traditional Chair step style of marching. The HMB is a year-round ensemble that actively participates in supporting all of the Husky Athletics. Members participate during the fall to help support Husky...
(University of Washington) - North Olmsted High School Eagle Marching Band (North Olmsted High School)
- The Ohio University Marching 110The Ohio University Marching 110The Ohio University Marching Band, known as the Marching 110, is known for its high-intensity, hard-driving marching style.Originally referring to the 110 members of the band in 1968, the band has now extended its membership to 227 members during this 2011 season...
(Ohio University) - Spruce Creek High Steppin' Hawks (Spruce Cree High School)