Hawkeye Marching Band
Encyclopedia
The Hawkeye Marching Band (or HMB) 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 Marching Band Trophy in 1990. The band was founded in 1881 as a military band, giving membership to both music students and members of the military.http://myweb.uiowa.edu/jhillenb/home.html
Around this time, when the distinction between the military and the marching band grew larger, the band began to perform for more public events, rather than the military gatherings of the past. The Iowa marching band, like other Big Ten bands, began to make appearances at concerts, University ceremonies, and football games. During the mid-twentieth century, the band adopted a very militaristic style of marching. Marchers were expected to march with crack precision and the band's director during that time, Frederick C. Ebbs, eliminated any flags or twirlers that the band had used up to that point.
In 1973, Morgan Jones became director of the Hawkeye Marching Band and once again changed the style and look of the band. Jones added a line of flag twirlers and six other twirlers to accompany the featured twirler. Jones also changed the style of music played. The band began to perform different styles of music, easygoing slow music and loud fast-paced music, as well as displaying both abstract formations and recognizable patterns on the field. The Hawkeye Marching Band was widely regarded as one of the few bands that effectively executed all of these things. After the 1990 season, the band was awarded the prestigious John Philip Sousa Foundation
Sudler Trophy. The 1990 season and the Sudler Trophy would mark the end of the Morgan Jones era for the HMB. Jones' 18 year period as director was one of the most successful in the history of the Hawkeye Marching Band.
The band went through three different directors during the next few years and included a brief return by Morgan Jones during the mid-1990s. In the summer of 1998, the band found its next permanent director in Kevin Kastens, current HMB director and former director of the Marching Mizzou from the University of Missouri
, as well as the Marching Hundred, from Indiana University.
The HMB uses a squad system when writing drills for both pregame and halftime. Squads are composed of four members of a particular section and are designated an alphabetical symbol in marching drills. Sometimes, squads can be composed of members of different sections. For example, one particular squad may be made up of two members of the trumpet section and two members of the trombone section.
Sometimes, members of a section are placed on "reserve" for a certain week. This is because the amount of spots in a particular drill may not have enough spots for every member of a section. HMB members who are placed on reserve fill vacant spots during rehearsals and may even be called upon to fill spots during performances if the original member is not able to attend. Members placed on reserve may also be called upon to aid the graduate staff members with equipment or other items during performances.
during these routines. Students achieving the rank of drum major are also required to instruct the band during much of the training period at the beginning of a marching season.
A notable Hawkeye drum major and University of Iowa alumnus is David Woodley, from Winterset, Iowa. Woodley is currently director of the Marching Hundred of Indiana University
. http://myweb.uiowa.edu/jhillenb/home.html
, France
, Japan
, and The Netherlands) and has been the Miss Majorette of America
four times. She competed in the World Baton Twirling Competition in Gent, Belgium, receiving the gold in Duet competition(with partner, Karrissa Wimberely), the bronze in both Rhythmic Twirl and 2-Baton, and a 4th place finish in Strut. She has also appeared as the feature twirler in Dolly Parton
's music video Imagine as well as making an appearance on NBC's The Today Show.
Former Golden Girls Linda Simon, Jayna Sanchez and Diana Reed represented Iowa
, and Laurie Broderick represented Indiana
, in the Miss America pageant. All utilized their baton skills in the talent competition. Former Golden Girl Nikki Meredith (now Crawford) was World Champion twirler in 1984 and won the 2011 Ms Fitness USA.
Undergraduate staff members instruct HMB members in their section, both first-year and veteran members, on marching fundamentals and techniques. Both section leaders and undergraduate staffers may be called upon to serve as squad leaders after the conclusion of Hell Week.
marching style, where the upper leg is lifted parallel to the ground forming a 120 degree angle with the lower leg, and the foot is pointed to the ground. The band uses this traditional style during their pregame performance, parades, and lengthy drum cadence
called "The Series".
During the band's halftime performance, a more contemporary low-step style (glide step
) is used, where the toe is pointed upwards and the heel is rolled along the ground.
The Hawkeye Marching Band performs at all Iowa Hawkeye home football games. The band also travels with the team to usually one away game per year and the team's post-season bowl game
when the team plays in one. The band also travels to Ames, Iowa
every other year when the Hawkeyes play the Iowa State Cyclones
in the annual battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy.
The band also holds an indoor concert at Carver Hawkeye Arena (this concert was previously held in Hancher Auditorium but was moved due to the damage of Hancher Auditorium by the Flood of 2008) on the University of Iowa campus towards the end of the marching season. Along with other University musical groups, the HMB performs the traditional school songs like On Iowa
, The Iowa Fight Song
, and "Roll Along Iowa", and the different halftime selections from throughout the year.
Every third year, the band travels to Cedar Rapids, Iowa
where seven local metropolitan Cedar Rapids high school bands, along with the HMB, hold an exhibition of their halftime shows at the Cedar Rapids Indoor Marching Classic. The Hawkeye Marching Band rotates every third year with the Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity' Marching Band and the University of Northern Iowa Panther Marching Band (debut performance for 2007 was October 22, 2007).
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...
for the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
. 255 members strong, it performs at all home Hawkeye
Iowa Hawkeyes
The Iowa Hawkeyes are the athletics teams that represent the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. The Hawkeyes have varsity teams in 24 sports, 11 for men and 13 for women. The teams participate in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and are members of the...
football games inside historic Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium, formerly known as Iowa Stadium, and known in the area simply as Kinnick, is a stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the home stadium of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, in the sport of college football...
. It is the largest and most visible musical ensemble at the university and was awarded the Louis Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy in 1990. The band was founded in 1881 as a military band, giving membership to both music students and members of the military.http://myweb.uiowa.edu/jhillenb/home.html
History
The Hawkeye Marching Band was founded in 1881 in order to provide music for the State University of Iowa Battalion. During this time, members of the band would undergo the same training as their military counterparts. However, over the years, the military and band would gradually grow into separate entities. Because of this growing rift between the two organizations, the marching band became more of a form of entertainment than a military group by the year 1929, the same year that Kinnick Stadium was completed.Around this time, when the distinction between the military and the marching band grew larger, the band began to perform for more public events, rather than the military gatherings of the past. The Iowa marching band, like other Big Ten bands, began to make appearances at concerts, University ceremonies, and football games. During the mid-twentieth century, the band adopted a very militaristic style of marching. Marchers were expected to march with crack precision and the band's director during that time, Frederick C. Ebbs, eliminated any flags or twirlers that the band had used up to that point.
In 1973, Morgan Jones became director of the Hawkeye Marching Band and once again changed the style and look of the band. Jones added a line of flag twirlers and six other twirlers to accompany the featured twirler. Jones also changed the style of music played. The band began to perform different styles of music, easygoing slow music and loud fast-paced music, as well as displaying both abstract formations and recognizable patterns on the field. The Hawkeye Marching Band was widely regarded as one of the few bands that effectively executed all of these things. After the 1990 season, the band was awarded the prestigious John Philip Sousa Foundation
John Philip Sousa Foundation
The John Philip Sousa Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the promotion of band music internationally. The foundation administers a number of projects and awards supporting high quality band performance, conducting, and composition....
Sudler Trophy. The 1990 season and the Sudler Trophy would mark the end of the Morgan Jones era for the HMB. Jones' 18 year period as director was one of the most successful in the history of the Hawkeye Marching Band.
The band went through three different directors during the next few years and included a brief return by Morgan Jones during the mid-1990s. In the summer of 1998, the band found its next permanent director in Kevin Kastens, current HMB director and former director of the Marching Mizzou from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
, as well as the Marching Hundred, from Indiana University.
Personnel
Instrumentation
Instrumental sections are led by a section leader, who is charged with teaching the required musical selections for a particular show; and an "undergrad staff" member, who is in charge of teaching marching fundamentals to the section during the band's training week known as "Hell Week".The HMB uses a squad system when writing drills for both pregame and halftime. Squads are composed of four members of a particular section and are designated an alphabetical symbol in marching drills. Sometimes, squads can be composed of members of different sections. For example, one particular squad may be made up of two members of the trumpet section and two members of the trombone section.
Sometimes, members of a section are placed on "reserve" for a certain week. This is because the amount of spots in a particular drill may not have enough spots for every member of a section. HMB members who are placed on reserve fill vacant spots during rehearsals and may even be called upon to fill spots during performances if the original member is not able to attend. Members placed on reserve may also be called upon to aid the graduate staff members with equipment or other items during performances.
Drum Major
The drum major position is the highest rank that an undergraduate student can attain in the Hawkeye Marching Band. The drum major performs routines during both pregame and halftime shows and incorporates a maceCeremonial mace
The ceremonial mace is a highly ornamented staff of metal or wood, carried before a sovereign or other high official in civic ceremonies by a mace-bearer, intended to represent the official's authority. The mace, as used today, derives from the original mace used as a weapon...
during these routines. Students achieving the rank of drum major are also required to instruct the band during much of the training period at the beginning of a marching season.
A notable Hawkeye drum major and University of Iowa alumnus is David Woodley, from Winterset, Iowa. Woodley is currently director of the Marching Hundred of Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
. http://myweb.uiowa.edu/jhillenb/home.html
Golden Girl
Like many other collegiate marching bands, a featured baton twirler is used. In the HMB, this twirler is known as the "Golden Girl". The University of Iowa Golden Girl is one of only two full tuition scholarships available to the feature twirlers in the nation. Like the drum major, the Golden Girl performs choreographed routines during both pregame and halftime. Many of these routines are choreographed for both the drum major and Golden Girl performing with each other. The current Golden Girl is Chelsea Russell, an English major and French minor and a member of the UI Honors program. Russell has successfully competed both nationally and internationally (EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and The Netherlands) and has been the Miss Majorette of America
Miss Majorette of America
Miss Majorette of America is one of the highest honors received in the sport of twirling. Women from all over the United States and Canada compete for this honor at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana...
four times. She competed in the World Baton Twirling Competition in Gent, Belgium, receiving the gold in Duet competition(with partner, Karrissa Wimberely), the bronze in both Rhythmic Twirl and 2-Baton, and a 4th place finish in Strut. She has also appeared as the feature twirler in Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
's music video Imagine as well as making an appearance on NBC's The Today Show.
Former Golden Girls Linda Simon, Jayna Sanchez and Diana Reed represented Iowa
Miss Iowa
The Miss Iowa competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Iowa in the Miss America pageant.In 1970, Miss Iowa Cheryl Adrianne Browne became the first African American ever to compete in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City...
, and Laurie Broderick represented Indiana
Miss Indiana
The Miss Indiana competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of Indiana in the Miss America pageant.- Winners :- External links :*...
, in the Miss America pageant. All utilized their baton skills in the talent competition. Former Golden Girl Nikki Meredith (now Crawford) was World Champion twirler in 1984 and won the 2011 Ms Fitness USA.
Section Leaders and Undergraduate Staff
Section leaders are undergraduate members of the HMB and are responsible for the musical performance of their respective sections. Section leaders conduct musical warm-ups at all rehearsals and before performances and instruct their sections on new musical selections.Undergraduate staff members instruct HMB members in their section, both first-year and veteran members, on marching fundamentals and techniques. Both section leaders and undergraduate staffers may be called upon to serve as squad leaders after the conclusion of Hell Week.
Marching Style
The HMB employs a traditional Big Ten 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...
marching style, where the upper leg is lifted parallel to the ground forming a 120 degree angle with the lower leg, and the foot is pointed to the ground. The band uses this traditional style during their pregame performance, parades, and lengthy drum cadence
Drum cadence
In music, a drum cadence is a work played exclusively by the percussion section of a modern marching band , descended from early military marches, primarily as a purposefully emphasized means of providing a beat to marchers and often using patterned rhythmic drum strokes to produce a drum beat.A...
called "The Series".
During the band's halftime performance, a more contemporary low-step style (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...
) is used, where the toe is pointed upwards and the heel is rolled along the ground.
Performances
Bowl game
In North America, a bowl game is commonly considered to refer to one of a number of post-season college football games. Prior to 2002, bowl game statistics were not included in players' career totals and the games were mostly considered to be exhibition games involving a payout to participating...
when the team plays in one. The band also travels to Ames, Iowa
Ames, Iowa
Ames is a city located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa in Story County, and approximately north of Des Moines. The U.S. Census Bureau designates that Ames, Iowa metropolitan statistical area as encompassing all of Story County, and which, when combined with the Boone, Iowa...
every other year when the Hawkeyes play the Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State Cyclones
The Iowa State Cyclones are the athletic teams of Iowa State University. The university is a member of the Big 12 Conference and competes in NCAA Division I, fielding 16 varsity teams in 12 sports.*Men's sports...
in the annual battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy.
The band also holds an indoor concert at Carver Hawkeye Arena (this concert was previously held in Hancher Auditorium but was moved due to the damage of Hancher Auditorium by the Flood of 2008) on the University of Iowa campus towards the end of the marching season. Along with other University musical groups, the HMB performs the traditional school songs like On Iowa
On Iowa
"On Iowa" is one of three fight songs currently used by the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band along with the Iowa Fight Song and Roll Along Iowa. The lyrics were written W.R. Law in 1919.-Music Link:**-Lyrics:...
, The Iowa Fight Song
Iowa Fight Song
The "Iowa Fight Song" is one of three fight songs currently used by the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band along with On Iowa and Roll Along Iowa. The lyrics were written by Iowa native Meredith Willson, author of The Music Man, in 1951....
, and "Roll Along Iowa", and the different halftime selections from throughout the year.
Every third year, the band travels to Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
where seven local metropolitan Cedar Rapids high school bands, along with the HMB, hold an exhibition of their halftime shows at the Cedar Rapids Indoor Marching Classic. The Hawkeye Marching Band rotates every third year with the Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity' Marching Band and the University of Northern Iowa Panther Marching Band (debut performance for 2007 was October 22, 2007).
Past Directors
- 1911-1936 - O.E. Van Doren
- 1937-1953 - Charles B. Righter
- 1954-1966 - Frederick C. Ebbs
- 1967 - Frank Piersol
- 1968-1972 - Tom Davis
- 1973-1990 - Morgan Jones
- 1991-1992 - David Woodley
- 1993-1995 - Dave Henning
- 1996-1997 - Morgan Jones
- 1998-Present - Kevin Kastens
Traditions
- Hawkeye Victory PolkaHawkeye Victory PolkaThe Hawkeye Victory Polka is the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band's adaptation of the song In Heaven There Is No Beer. First played in the 1960s, it was very popular among students and was played frequently as if it were another fight song. Controversy, however, surrounded the song, as some...
- The HMB plays their rendition of the song "In Heaven There Is No Beer" after every Hawkeye victory. The band alternates between the verses instrumentally and vocally, along with Hawkeye fans. The song was originally played many times during a game when it was first introduced in the 1960s. However, controversy arose concerning the song's lyrics. Critics of the song claimed that the tune promoted the abuse of alcohol and that it was an inappropriate song for the band to play. In 2001, the University of Iowa President completely banned the song from being played, either instrumentally or vocally. However, overwhelming support for the song prompted the President to bring the song back to Hawkeye athletic events. The song is now performed only after Hawkeye victories and on special occasions. The HMB does not circulate sheet music of the "Hawkeye Victory Polka" or teach incoming members how to play it. Members must learn the song by ear. http://myweb.uiowa.edu/jhillenb/home.html (The song is commonly known amongst band members and alumni as "The Beer Song".)
- Hey Jude - Arranged by former HMB director Tom Davis, this popular Beatles classic was first played during a halftime show in 1968. The band then began to play the song during the break between the 3rd and 4th quarters. The band has played "Hey JudeHey Jude"Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The ballad evolved from "Hey Jules", a song widely accepted as being written to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, during his parents' divorce—although this explanation is not...
" in this way ever since. The song is played during the band's Rec Building Concert, post-game performances and other special events. http://myweb.uiowa.edu/jhillenb/home.html
- "Sousy Bowl" - During the week of the Iowa/Iowa State rivalry game the sousaphone sections from both the Hawkeye Marching Band and the Iowa State University Marching Band come together for a game of full-contact football. This annual event is alternates sites depending on which university is hosting the rivalry game that Saturday.
- "Vocal Alma Mater" - Unlike some other schools in the Big Ten, the Iowa Alma Mater is not played at football games, due to the length of the song and the complexity of the lyrics and melodies. For this reason the Alma Mater has been an 'unofficial trademark' of sorts for the HMB. They perform two versions of the Alma Mater, an instrumental ballad and a vocal version. The instrumental version is rarely played due to the popularity of the 4-part harmony vocal version. The band sings the vocal Alma Mater every week in the "tunnel" underneath Kinnick Stadium just before marching pre-game on the field. It is traditional that band members remove their marching shakos and/or hats, link arms and sway while performing the music. The band also sings the Alma Mater after the game is over and most fans have already cleared the stadium.
- The Boom - "The Boom" has become a trademark of the Hawkeye Marching Band. Occurring immediately prior to the band's pregame routine at games, the band's announcer speaks through the stadium sound system "It's time to get ready for the boom!" Immediately following this announcement, the drum line's bass drum players all play a single count, creating a loud boom that echoes inside the stadium. The Boom signals the beginning of the pregame routine.
- Band Camp Week - "Band Camp Week" aka "Hell Week" is the HMB's training week. It is held the week before classes at the University of Iowa begin and is held all day each day. New members learn the marching style as well as other important techniques while veteran members practice the same techniques. The first show of the year is also taught during this week.
- Rec Building Concert - Before every home football game, the HMB performs a brief concert inside the UI Recreation Building along with the Iowa Dance Team, cheerleaders, and the school mascot HerkyHerky the HawkHerky the Hawk is the athletics mascot of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Herky is a student dressed in black and gold, including wings made out of fabric, with a headpiece shaped like a hawk's head. Herky was first drawn as a cartoon in 1948, and was first portrayed at a football game in 1959....
. The band stands in concentric arcs and plays the common pregame fight songs as well as that week's halftime music. "The Series", the band's marching cadence, is also performed.
- Drill Down - Towards the end of Hell Week, all members of the band participate in a competition known as the Drill Down. The band begins in a large block formation and the drum major calls out various commands. If a band member makes any sort of mistake during this competition, he/she is eliminated from the competition. It is common for the drum major to intentionally confuse band members in order to gauge their concentration and skill. The eliminations continue until only one member is left and crowned the winner.
- Bones and Tones - The Rec Building Concert's opening act. Members of the baritone and trombone sections combine to entertain the concert crowd with different musical selections every game. The music for these performances is typically arranged for multi-part bones and tones by the members themselves. The small ensemble features particular cheers and tunes unique to the two low brass sections.
- Saxamatone Kickball - During Hell Week, the baritone and saxophone, both alto and tenor, sections combine to play a game of kickball on the marching band's practice field. No other sections may participate in the competition, but the drum major and Golden Girl may participate as either players or as officials. The baritones, although always vastly outnumbered (as much as 40-12) are the reigning champions for a third consecutive year, winning this year's match 5-4 in the bottom of the 9th inning.
- Band Banquet - After the marching season has ended, the Hawkeye Marching Band holds a formal dinner for all members of the band. During this banquet, students who have been selected by their peers as exceptional members of the band are awarded the "Rank of Honor" by the director. Members also compile a slide show to be played commemorating the past year and the different events and happenings during the season.
- The Salt Block- The Salt Block was just that - a block of salt commonly used in cattle feeding - carried along on band trips and events by the Sousaphone section. The Salt Block was featured at nearly every Sousy skit at the yearly Band Extravaganza. Tradition was that the Salt Block would be held for one year, then passed to another member of the Sousaphone section for safekeeping. It is traditional that every Sousy licks the salt block, in order from the most experienced member to the newest.