Falcon Marching Band
Encyclopedia
The 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. The band performs at all home football games, which are hosted in Doyt Perry Stadium
, and other various university functions. However the marching band only exists during the football seasons.
during parts of pre-game. However, during half-time the marching band marches in a traditional glide step
(a heel to toe style march). This is due to the concentration necessary for the band's symphonic sound.
s. The drum majors typically direct and lead the band. Drum majors serve as secondary directors when the band's official director is leading performances, or when special guests lead the band in performance.
executing chair step marching. After finishing the cadences that they enter the field to, the band then "collects" the members from a block formation to their unique "X" block style marching. They march down the field "8 to 5" with this "X" style to the fight song. After performing the fight song, they play "Go BG Warriors" (previously Happy Days Are Here Again) and then play "Ay Ziggy Zoomba". The band presents Freddie and Frieda Falcon, the college mascots, where they then begin to perform Bowling Green State University's Alma Mater. The Alma Mater is followed by a special arrangement of "America." Going into a patriotic melody, the marching band then does an advanced left-face which faces them toward the flag for the United States National Anthem directed by the college's Director of Bands (or visiting band director when present). They then do an about face and exit the field to the traditional cadences.
The Falcon Marching Band is known for its signature pregame entrance. The entrance goes back to the late 1960s and was written and designed by Mark S. Kelly, director of bands at BGSU from 1966-1994. Small changes and modifications have been made to the entrance over the years to accommodate increases in membership, but the entrance has been relatively unchanged over the years. The traditional pregame entrance is similar to pregame entrances of Big Ten schools in that it uses fast cadences and makes use of the chair step. The traditional Bowling Green entrance uses various squences and flashy visuals to bring the band on to the field for the downward march to the fight song.
The description of the pregame entrance is as follows: The tuba, percussion sections are in a block-like formation in the back of the end zone. The tuba section is lined up in two lines facing downfield. The rest of the band is lined up on the sidelines. With the blowing of the drum majors' whistles the band moves into attention. The drum major blows a long whistle to signal for the rest of the band on the sidelines to kneel down. The drum major turns and faces the tuba and percussion sections. Together they bend back and shout out "Right up in there!" The crowd cheers knowing it is the start of pregame. At this moment the band does a sequence called " boom up". At the sound of a drum boom, the band on the sidelines bounces up back into attention. Then the drum major commands the percussion section to forward march. Using a combination of chair step and glide step and to the cheering of the crowd, the percussion section enters the field from the end zone. Once onto the field, using cymbal crashes on each letter, the band shouts out B-G-S-U. At this moment the cadence starts at about 180 beats per minute. Using a powered chair step, the tuba section high steps out of the end zone. On count 16 of the cadence, two things happen. As the tuba section enters the field, on count 16, the right and left sides of the tuba section flank out. The right side does a 270 spin on the flank while the left side just flanks left. As the flank happens, the tubas then move themselves into a downfield position. As they move into this position, each tuba on the left sides does a 270 spin and then moves into downfield position. Also, on the count of sixteen of the cadence, the rest of the band on the sidelines marks time using a power chair step and enters the field.As the band is entering the field from the sidelines, the drum major(s), kicking up their legs, move quickly from the endzone to the front of the band. When the cadence ends, the band does a halt and twists toward the homeside. After the twist, the band plays the "Falcon Fanfare" and then marches down the field to "Forward Falcons", the university fight song, using a chair step.
s, trombone
s, sousaphone
s, mellophone
s, euphonium
s, saxophone
s (alto and tenor), clarinet
s, flute
s, piccolo
s, and typical drumline
percussion equipment. The reasoning for not limiting instruments to a certain set, is the band's tradition of always projecting a unique symphonic sound using a variety of instruments and composition techniques. The goal is to feature a sound not usually found among most high school and collegiate marching bands.
In 2004, Ryan Nowlin, to honor them for their work and performance, he wrote a piece titled Chorale for Dr. Carol Hayward and the Falcon Marching Band. This piece featured themes from Frontiers. The band still uses this now traditional piece as a warm-up and for public performances.
Forward Falcons,
Fight for victory.
Show our spirit,
make them fear it,
Fight for ol' Bee Gee.
Forward Falcons,
Forward Falcons,
Make the contest keen.
Shout out the fame
of our mighty name,
and win for Bowling Green!
Ay Ziggy Zoomba Zoomba Ze
Ay Ziggy Zoomba Zoomba Zoomba
Ay Ziggy Zoomba Zoomba Ze
Roll along you BG warriors
Roll along and win for BGSU!
" (more commonly known as "Fundies Week", "fundies" being short for "fundamentals) that works on marching fundamentals, drills and music rehearsals seven days prior to the opening of classes. However, the flag corps and twirler auditions are held prior to rehearsals. The FMB is composed of students from all colleges of the University and membership is open by audition to students of all class levels and all majors.
. Additional trips have included bowl games in Fresno, Calif. (Raisin Bowl), Las Vegas (Silver Bowl), Detroit (Motor City Bowl), and Mobile, Alabama (GMAC Bowl). In 2009, a seventy member contingent (composed of the senior members and student leadership) of the Falcon Marching Band attended the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho. In 2007, they were invited to perform in exhibition at the Bands of America
Regional in Indianapolis.
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...
of Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
. It features a symphonic sound and chair step
Chair step
The chair step is a type of high step used by marching bands. This step is named because of the resemblance of the leg in action to a leg's position when sitting in a chair. It is primarily used by bands that define themselves as traditional style bands...
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. The band performs at all home football games, which are hosted in Doyt Perry Stadium
Doyt Perry Stadium
Doyt L. Perry Stadium is a stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Bowling Green State University Falcons. It opened in 1966 and originally held 23,232 people. Recent renovations and new NCAA seating regulations have...
, and other various university functions. However the marching band only exists during the football seasons.
Style & Tradition
The Bowling Green State University FMB has a long line of traditions since its first performance in 1923. This long history has also allowed the Falcon Marching Band to form a unique style.Concerts
A pre-game concert is offered before every football game free of charge as fans of both teams enter the stadium. Also, the FMB offers a "Sounds of the Stadium" concert which features all the show songs during the year and standard school songs.Marching style
The FMB marches in a high-powered chair stepChair step
The chair step is a type of high step used by marching bands. This step is named because of the resemblance of the leg in action to a leg's position when sitting in a chair. It is primarily used by bands that define themselves as traditional style bands...
during parts of pre-game. However, during half-time the marching band marches in a traditional glide step
Glide step
Glide step is a form of movement used by marching bands to minimize upper body movement, enabling musicians to play their instruments and march without air-stream interruptions. Standardizing the style of marching also serves to add to the visual effect of a marching band. Sometimes special shoes...
(a heel to toe style march). This is due to the concentration necessary for the band's symphonic sound.
Band members
The band has roughly 220 members every year. During the 2009 season, the Falcon Marching Band reached a record-high 238 members. During the 2010 season, they broke the 2009 record with 275 members. This includes twirlers, a color guard, and three drum majorDrum Major
A drum major is the leader of a marching band, drum and bugle corps, or pipe band, usually positioned at the head of the band or corps. The drum major, who is often dressed in more ornate clothing than the rest of the band or corps, is responsible for providing commands to the ensemble regarding...
s. The drum majors typically direct and lead the band. Drum majors serve as secondary directors when the band's official director is leading performances, or when special guests lead the band in performance.
Student staff
The band also has student staff. The staff has section leaders who are assigned to certain instruments and/or instrument parts. They assist in helping the band's directors during practices and performance planning. The staff also features uniform, fiscal, secretarial, and other various forms of managers.Pre-game show
The traditional pregame was recently changed for the centennial celebration of the school. The original pre-game is: FMB enters the field near the end of Doyt Perry StadiumDoyt Perry Stadium
Doyt L. Perry Stadium is a stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Bowling Green State University Falcons. It opened in 1966 and originally held 23,232 people. Recent renovations and new NCAA seating regulations have...
executing chair step marching. After finishing the cadences that they enter the field to, the band then "collects" the members from a block formation to their unique "X" block style marching. They march down the field "8 to 5" with this "X" style to the fight song. After performing the fight song, they play "Go BG Warriors" (previously Happy Days Are Here Again) and then play "Ay Ziggy Zoomba". The band presents Freddie and Frieda Falcon, the college mascots, where they then begin to perform Bowling Green State University's Alma Mater. The Alma Mater is followed by a special arrangement of "America." Going into a patriotic melody, the marching band then does an advanced left-face which faces them toward the flag for the United States National Anthem directed by the college's Director of Bands (or visiting band director when present). They then do an about face and exit the field to the traditional cadences.
The Falcon Marching Band is known for its signature pregame entrance. The entrance goes back to the late 1960s and was written and designed by Mark S. Kelly, director of bands at BGSU from 1966-1994. Small changes and modifications have been made to the entrance over the years to accommodate increases in membership, but the entrance has been relatively unchanged over the years. The traditional pregame entrance is similar to pregame entrances of Big Ten schools in that it uses fast cadences and makes use of the chair step. The traditional Bowling Green entrance uses various squences and flashy visuals to bring the band on to the field for the downward march to the fight song.
The description of the pregame entrance is as follows: The tuba, percussion sections are in a block-like formation in the back of the end zone. The tuba section is lined up in two lines facing downfield. The rest of the band is lined up on the sidelines. With the blowing of the drum majors' whistles the band moves into attention. The drum major blows a long whistle to signal for the rest of the band on the sidelines to kneel down. The drum major turns and faces the tuba and percussion sections. Together they bend back and shout out "Right up in there!" The crowd cheers knowing it is the start of pregame. At this moment the band does a sequence called " boom up". At the sound of a drum boom, the band on the sidelines bounces up back into attention. Then the drum major commands the percussion section to forward march. Using a combination of chair step and glide step and to the cheering of the crowd, the percussion section enters the field from the end zone. Once onto the field, using cymbal crashes on each letter, the band shouts out B-G-S-U. At this moment the cadence starts at about 180 beats per minute. Using a powered chair step, the tuba section high steps out of the end zone. On count 16 of the cadence, two things happen. As the tuba section enters the field, on count 16, the right and left sides of the tuba section flank out. The right side does a 270 spin on the flank while the left side just flanks left. As the flank happens, the tubas then move themselves into a downfield position. As they move into this position, each tuba on the left sides does a 270 spin and then moves into downfield position. Also, on the count of sixteen of the cadence, the rest of the band on the sidelines marks time using a power chair step and enters the field.As the band is entering the field from the sidelines, the drum major(s), kicking up their legs, move quickly from the endzone to the front of the band. When the cadence ends, the band does a halt and twists toward the homeside. After the twist, the band plays the "Falcon Fanfare" and then marches down the field to "Forward Falcons", the university fight song, using a chair step.
Post-game show
After every football game, the band, football players, and fans collect at the band's stand to sing/play the Alma Mater. If a win, the band will play "Ay Ziggy Zoomba." Every major athletic event ends with a playing of "Beer Barrel Polka." During "Beer Barrel Polka," the tubas do a march through the goal zone before the band exits playing their traditional cadences.Symphonic sound
The Falcon Marching Band has a traditional United States style marching band. Instrumentation features trumpetTrumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
s, trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
s, sousaphone
Sousaphone
The sousaphone is a type of tuba that is widely employed in marching bands. Designed so that it fits around the body of the musician and is supported by the left shoulder, the sousaphone may be readily played while being carried...
s, mellophone
Mellophone
The mellophone is a brass instrument that is typically used in place of the horn in marching bands or drum and bugle corps....
s, euphonium
Euphonium
The euphonium is a conical-bore, tenor-voiced brass instrument. It derives its name from the Greek word euphonos, meaning "well-sounding" or "sweet-voiced"...
s, saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
s (alto and tenor), clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
s, flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
s, piccolo
Piccolo
The piccolo is a half-size flute, and a member of the woodwind family of musical instruments. The piccolo has the same fingerings as its larger sibling, the standard transverse flute, but the sound it produces is an octave higher than written...
s, and typical drumline
Drumline
A drumline is a section of percussion instruments usually played as part of a musical marching ensemble. High school and college marching bands, drill and drum corps, drum and bugle corps, indoor percussion ensembles, and pipe bands usually incorporate drumlines; however, drumlines can exist...
percussion equipment. The reasoning for not limiting instruments to a certain set, is the band's tradition of always projecting a unique symphonic sound using a variety of instruments and composition techniques. The goal is to feature a sound not usually found among most high school and collegiate marching bands.
Commissioned music
The band, in its history, has had original music commissioned and then performed. In 2003, the band commissioned music by Ryan Nowlin (BGSU Classes of 2000 and 2004) titled Frontiers. The band premiered this show on November 28, 2003. In 2007, the band again commissioned a work from Ryan Nowlin titled New Frontiers. The music composed by Ryan Nowlin, with percussion by Michael Sander, and visual design from Jason Sivill, had themes from the original Frontiers. This band premiered the show on November 2, 2007. They have commissioned a new chorale from the New Frontiers composition.In 2004, Ryan Nowlin, to honor them for their work and performance, he wrote a piece titled Chorale for Dr. Carol Hayward and the Falcon Marching Band. This piece featured themes from Frontiers. The band still uses this now traditional piece as a warm-up and for public performances.
School songs
The BGSU FMB has three common songs that can be heard at various athletic and academic events. These three song "standards" for the college include; the Alma Mater, "Forward Falcons", and "Ay Ziggy Zomba" which is played to hype the crowd at events, which is quite possibly the most recognizable song for the students, alumni, and fans.Forward Falcons (fight song)
Forward Falcons,Forward Falcons,
Fight for victory.
Show our spirit,
make them fear it,
Fight for ol' Bee Gee.
Forward Falcons,
Forward Falcons,
Make the contest keen.
Shout out the fame
of our mighty name,
and win for Bowling Green!
Ay Ziggy Zoomba
Ay Ziggy Zoomba Zoomba ZoombaAy Ziggy Zoomba Zoomba Ze
Ay Ziggy Zoomba Zoomba Zoomba
Ay Ziggy Zoomba Zoomba Ze
Roll along you BG warriors
Roll along and win for BGSU!
Audition process
Auditions are held during the beginning of August rehearsals. The students that have already been accepted into the College of Music and the university itself move into their assigned residence halls prior to the normal move in date for other students. Then they have to form of "band campBand camp
A band camp typically refers to a high school, college, or university marching band summer camp. Band camp is often mandatory for members of the band, and constitutes the majority of the preparation a marching band makes before its marching season...
" (more commonly known as "Fundies Week", "fundies" being short for "fundamentals) that works on marching fundamentals, drills and music rehearsals seven days prior to the opening of classes. However, the flag corps and twirler auditions are held prior to rehearsals. The FMB is composed of students from all colleges of the University and membership is open by audition to students of all class levels and all majors.
Notable performances
The FMB travels extensively. Those travels have included; the University of Akron, University of Michigan, University of Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Miami, West Virginia, Marshall, Ohio State, Ball State, as well as professional football games at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, the Pontiac Silverdome, and Cleveland Browns Stadium, and many high school band festivals. The band has also been featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day ParadeMacy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, often shortened to Macy's Day Parade, is an annual parade presented by Macy's. The tradition started in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along with America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, and four years younger than...
. Additional trips have included bowl games in Fresno, Calif. (Raisin Bowl), Las Vegas (Silver Bowl), Detroit (Motor City Bowl), and Mobile, Alabama (GMAC Bowl). In 2009, a seventy member contingent (composed of the senior members and student leadership) of the Falcon Marching Band attended the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho. In 2007, they were invited to perform in exhibition at the Bands of America
Bands of America
Bands of America , a division of Music for All, Inc., is an organization that promotes and organizes marching band competitions for high school students. Competitions include both Regional and Super Regional Championships as well as the Grand National Championships...
Regional in Indianapolis.