University of Wisconsin Marching Band
Encyclopedia
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.
In September 1928 it was announced that all football engagements would be handled by 100 men, to relieve the strain from concert performers. This was the beginning of the current Band Department. Under Edson W. Morphy the "Second Band" became more active with Athletic Department events. In 1934 the band gained a new director, Raymond F. Dvorak, who continued to revolutionize the band in many ways, including introducing the now famous "arm-swinging" during the singing of Varsity, the school's alma mater.
Late in the summer of 1969 the band gained a new director, Mike Leckrone. The military aspects of a marching band were not popular with students of the time, and enrollment was suffering. Leckrone introduced physical conditioning by requiring that every member attend Registration Week (Reg-Week) fundamental drills, as well as by pioneering a more physically demanding marching step ("stop at the top") and a new pre-game entrance (the "Run-On"). He ordered every performance to be filmed, and scheduled viewing sessions in which he pointed out any inconsistencies or errors, which lead to the publishing of the "Dummy List", or a list of every performer's errors. These traditions are still maintained.
Every potential member also must perform a short music-only audition for the director, Mike Leckrone. Membership is also not guaranteed for returning members in order to ensure that everyone works to the best of their ability.
Thousands of spectators remain in the stands for fifteen minutes after the game for the Fifth Quarter performance. Usually played during the Fifth Quarter are songs such as "On Wisconsin", "You've Said It All", "Space Badgers", "Dance Little Bird" (The Chicken Dance), "Beer Barrel Polka
", "Tequila
", "Hey Baby", and others. The band first played "You've Said It All", also known as the "Bud" song, at hockey
games during the 1972 season. The song, by New York composer Steve Karmen
, had become a Budweiser
advertising jingle in 1970 and is the basis for the beer brand's more recent commercial song, "Here Comes the King
." It became popular among Wisconsin fans when the band traveled to Boston
for the 1973 NCAA men's hockey championship
, where the song was played at games, on the street, and in hotel lobbies. When performed by the Wisconsin band, the advertising line at the end of the original beer ad is replaced by the line "When You Say WIS-CON-SIN, You've Said It All!"
At the end of the Fifth Quarter, the band lines up once more to play "Varsity", while the spectators sing. The band then exits the field to the north entrance to perform more and to sing "It's Hard to Be Humble".
s with plates and silverware. There is an awards ceremony, including the Steve Singel Award, the Custer Award, the Crazy Horse Award, the PA Award, the Little Bighorn Award, the MVP Award and the Karl Strieby Award. The Steve Singel Award is given to the person who most embodies the "Spirit and the Pride of the Wisconsin Marching Band." The Custer, Crazy Horse, PA and Little Bighorn Awards are awarded to individuals that exemplify the dedication it takes to march in the band. The MVP Award goes to the most valuable percussionist and the Karl Strieby Award, presented by the flügelhorns, is given to the band member who makes the biggest marching mistake during the year but (almost) makes it look as if it wasn't a mistake at all, suggesting that, "if you're going to make a mistake, make it with class." The night ends with a slide show and the singing of Varsity.
version of On Wisconsin, the band forms vertical lines. At once, lines expand into the letters On Wis and the band marches towards the audience, ending the performance in a knee bow.
after its road trip to Michigan
. Then, on October 3, 2008 Leckrone announced the band would be suspended from performing because of serious hazing
allegations that involved alcohol and "inappropriate sexual behavior". As a result, the band missed the nationally televised game against Ohio State
. It marked the first time in at least 40 years, and the first (and as of the 2010 season, only) time in Leckrone's tenure as director, that the band had missed a home football game. Leckrone said that although only a small number of band members were involved, because members had a "shared responsibility" to the band and the university, "the only thing I could do to send the message was to suspend." A letter from UW–Madison Dean of Students, Lori Berquam, to parents of band members, stated that "Some allegations include but are not limited to: being forced or pressured to have their hair cut in a way that is not flattering; being forced or pressured to eat something disgusting; being sexually fondled against their will; being forced or pressured to drink alcohol or other concoctions that may contain alcohol." Berquam later stated, "I regret the allegation of sexual fondling was misrepresented as confirmed fact in some news reports. We have nothing to substantiate that allegation."
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 Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
. 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
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers are the collegiate athletic teams from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This NCAA Division I athletic program has teams in football, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, soccer, cross country, tennis, swimming, wrestling, track and field, rowing, golf, and softball...
home football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
games.
History
The University of Wisconsin Marching Band was created in 1885 as the Wisconsin Regimental Band. Previously the University Military Battalion marched to only a drum, and the Battalion commandant, Major Chase, stressed in 1883 that there was a "need for a fife and drum corps to play for the Battalion drills." The first band consisted of 11 members, with two or three more joining before the year ended. It was not until 1894 that the 26 members of the University Band began playing at football games.In September 1928 it was announced that all football engagements would be handled by 100 men, to relieve the strain from concert performers. This was the beginning of the current Band Department. Under Edson W. Morphy the "Second Band" became more active with Athletic Department events. In 1934 the band gained a new director, Raymond F. Dvorak, who continued to revolutionize the band in many ways, including introducing the now famous "arm-swinging" during the singing of Varsity, the school's alma mater.
Late in the summer of 1969 the band gained a new director, Mike Leckrone. The military aspects of a marching band were not popular with students of the time, and enrollment was suffering. Leckrone introduced physical conditioning by requiring that every member attend Registration Week (Reg-Week) fundamental drills, as well as by pioneering a more physically demanding marching step ("stop at the top") and a new pre-game entrance (the "Run-On"). He ordered every performance to be filmed, and scheduled viewing sessions in which he pointed out any inconsistencies or errors, which lead to the publishing of the "Dummy List", or a list of every performer's errors. These traditions are still maintained.
Auditions and membership
At the end of August returning and prospective band members attend "Welcome" or "Registration Week" (Reg-Week), commonly known to students as 'Hell-Week'. Reg-Week teaches prospective members the fundamentals of the signature "stop-at-the-top" marching style and serves as a period of intense physical conditioning. Over the course of the week, the band marches for 2–3 hours each morning, has a short break for lunch, and then marches for another 3–4 hours in the afternoon. At night there is often a 2-3 hour music-only rehearsal. A highlight of Reg-Week is the countdowns, which are similar to "suicides" in basketball or "lines" in volleyball, where members march out and back five yards at a time. Countdowns during Reg-Week are typically 50 yards.Every potential member also must perform a short music-only audition for the director, Mike Leckrone. Membership is also not guaranteed for returning members in order to ensure that everyone works to the best of their ability.
Instrumentation
The University of Wisconsin Marching Band is composed of just over 320 members and divided into 28 ranks. On average, there are about 224 marchers on the field, not including the drum major. These ranks number from 1 to 25 and letters A through C. There are also "X" spots designated X-1 through X-18, which fill gaps in formations. The drum major is considered the primary student leader within the band. Each year, the director and field assistants select one drum major and one assistant drum major. All band members are issued silver instruments (with the exception of the school-issued white clarinets). Following is a list of instruments, the ranks they occupy, and the number of members for the 2008-2009 school year.- TrumpetTrumpetThe 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 - Ranks 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 18, 20, 22, 25, A, C - 111 members - ClarinetClarinetThe 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 - Rank 2 - 13 members - TromboneTromboneThe 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 - Ranks 3, 6, 9, 19, 21, 23, B - 68 members - MellophoneMellophoneThe mellophone is a brass instrument that is typically used in place of the horn in marching bands or drum and bugle corps....
s - Rank 7 - 17 members - PercussionMarching percussionMarching percussion instruments are specially designed to be played while moving. This is achieved by attaching the drum to a special harness worn by the drummer. The drums are designed and tuned for maximum articulation and projection of sound, as marching activities are almost always outdoors or...
- Ranks 12, 13 - 29 members - TubaSousaphoneThe 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 - Ranks 14, 15 - 23 members - FlügelhornsFlugelhornThe flugelhorn is a brass instrument resembling a trumpet but with a wider, conical bore. Some consider it to be a member of the saxhorn family developed by Adolphe Sax ; however, other historians assert that it derives from the valve bugle designed by Michael Saurle , Munich 1832 , thus...
- Rank 16 - 8 members - EuphoniumEuphoniumThe 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 - Rank 17 - 14 members - SaxophoneSaxophoneThe 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 - Ranks 24 - 21 members
The 5th Quarter
The University of Wisconsin Marching Band's Fifth Quarter is one of its most recognizable traditions. The band marches onto the field from the nearest end zone, then halts, and facing the winning team's stands, plays that team's school song. They then turn, face the other side, and play that team's school song.Thousands of spectators remain in the stands for fifteen minutes after the game for the Fifth Quarter performance. Usually played during the Fifth Quarter are songs such as "On Wisconsin", "You've Said It All", "Space Badgers", "Dance Little Bird" (The Chicken Dance), "Beer Barrel Polka
Beer Barrel Polka
Beer Barrel Polka, also known as Roll Out the Barrel, is a song which became popular worldwide during World War II. The music was composed by the Czech musician Jaromír Vejvoda in 1927. Eduard Ingriš wrote the first arrangement of the piece, after Vejvoda came upon the melody and sought Ingriš's...
", "Tequila
Tequila (song)
"Tequila" is a 1958 Latin-flavored rock and roll song recorded by the group, the Champs. The title of the song constitutes the entirety of the lyrics, and is spoken a total of three times during the course of the song. "Tequila" became a #1 hit on both the pop and R&B charts at the time of its...
", "Hey Baby", and others. The band first played "You've Said It All", also known as the "Bud" song, at hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
games during the 1972 season. The song, by New York composer Steve Karmen
Steve Karmen
Steve Karmen is a composer, most famous for several jingles. Among his better known works are the New York State song, "I Love New York", the jingle Here Comes the King, the Exxon Song , and Wrigley Spearmint Gum / Carry The Big Fresh Flavor...
, had become a Budweiser
Budweiser
Budweiser is a German adjective describing something or someone from the city of České Budějovice in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic.Beer brewing in České Budějovice dates back to the 13th century...
advertising jingle in 1970 and is the basis for the beer brand's more recent commercial song, "Here Comes the King
Here Comes the King
Here Comes the King is a well-known advertising jingle written for Budweiser, whose slogan is "The King of beers." Budweiser is the flagship brand of the Anheuser-Busch brewery....
." It became popular among Wisconsin fans when the band traveled to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
for the 1973 NCAA men's hockey championship
NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship
The annual NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship tournament determines the top men's ice hockey team in NCAA Division I and Division III. The semi-finals and finals of the Division I Championship are branded as the Frozen Four, a passing nod to the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship - known...
, where the song was played at games, on the street, and in hotel lobbies. When performed by the Wisconsin band, the advertising line at the end of the original beer ad is replaced by the line "When You Say WIS-CON-SIN, You've Said It All!"
At the end of the Fifth Quarter, the band lines up once more to play "Varsity", while the spectators sing. The band then exits the field to the north entrance to perform more and to sing "It's Hard to Be Humble".
Band banquet
Begun during the 1927-28 school year by then-band director, Edson W. Morphy, and traditionally held in late November or early December, the band banquet is a chance for band members to reflect on the past marching season and tell stories or jokes. The dress is formal, the band invites speakers and the percussion section performs drum cadenceDrum 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...
s with plates and silverware. There is an awards ceremony, including the Steve Singel Award, the Custer Award, the Crazy Horse Award, the PA Award, the Little Bighorn Award, the MVP Award and the Karl Strieby Award. The Steve Singel Award is given to the person who most embodies the "Spirit and the Pride of the Wisconsin Marching Band." The Custer, Crazy Horse, PA and Little Bighorn Awards are awarded to individuals that exemplify the dedication it takes to march in the band. The MVP Award goes to the most valuable percussionist and the Karl Strieby Award, presented by the flügelhorns, is given to the band member who makes the biggest marching mistake during the year but (almost) makes it look as if it wasn't a mistake at all, suggesting that, "if you're going to make a mistake, make it with class." The night ends with a slide show and the singing of Varsity.
On Wisconsin Finale
Beginning in 1974 the halftime show of the last home football game of the year is ended with On Wisconsin Finale. While playing a maestosoMaestoso
Maestoso is an Italian musical term and is used to direct performers to play a certain passage of music in a stately, dignified and majestic fashion or, it is used to describe music as such. The term is commonly used in relatively slow pieces; however, there are numerous examples - such as the...
version of On Wisconsin, the band forms vertical lines. At once, lines expand into the letters On Wis and the band marches towards the audience, ending the performance in a knee bow.
Reversing the Caps
When the football team wins the game, the members of the Band take their hats off and put them on backwards. This is a tradition started years ago and signifies "looking back" at the victory that day.Skyrockets
Skyrockets are a method that the Wisconsin Band uses to call attention to something, such as in announcing a song or cheer, telling a joke, or greeting someone. It began as a school-wide practice, where students use them to greet a professor at the beginning of a lecture. The sound of a skyrocket is meant to mimic a real rocket by beginning in a low hiss, followed by a short, loud "boom", an "ahhh" and ending in a whistle. An example of a "classic" skyrocket is: "SSSSS ... BOOM ... AHHHH .... WHISTLE! Hey Seattle, is that the Space Needle or are you just happy to see us?"Tuba March
At the beginning of the fourth quarter the tubas line up single file and begin a march around the stadium, weaving in and out of the stands and concourse, playing songs such as Semper Fidelis, Beer Barrel Polka, and On Wisconsin. This tradition began some time in the 1950s and when athletic director Elroy Hirsch banned the tuba march in 1971 many students and alumni protested. The uproar was so great that the tuba march was reinstated the following year.Union South
One hour before every home game, the Badger Band congregates at Union South to perform a pregame concert for fans. After playing Chorale #1, the Tubas tell a joke using a skyrocket, and then the band plays On Wisconsin twice. Then the band plays an abbreviated version of the opposing school's song, the pregame concert selection, the halftime show, and finally "The Bud Song" and On Wisconsin one last time to fire up the fans. Then they march to the Camp Randall for pregame.Controversy
In 2006 the band was placed on probation by then Chancellor John WileyJohn Wiley
John Wiley may refer to:*John Wiley & Sons, publishing company*John Cooper Wiley, US foreign service officer and ambassador*John D. Wiley, former Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin–Madison*John M. Wiley , U.S...
after its road trip to Michigan
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
. Then, on October 3, 2008 Leckrone announced the band would be suspended from performing because of serious hazing
Hazing
Hazing is a term used to describe various ritual and other activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group....
allegations that involved alcohol and "inappropriate sexual behavior". As a result, the band missed the nationally televised game against Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
. It marked the first time in at least 40 years, and the first (and as of the 2010 season, only) time in Leckrone's tenure as director, that the band had missed a home football game. Leckrone said that although only a small number of band members were involved, because members had a "shared responsibility" to the band and the university, "the only thing I could do to send the message was to suspend." A letter from UW–Madison Dean of Students, Lori Berquam, to parents of band members, stated that "Some allegations include but are not limited to: being forced or pressured to have their hair cut in a way that is not flattering; being forced or pressured to eat something disgusting; being sexually fondled against their will; being forced or pressured to drink alcohol or other concoctions that may contain alcohol." Berquam later stated, "I regret the allegation of sexual fondling was misrepresented as confirmed fact in some news reports. We have nothing to substantiate that allegation."
Other performances
The band performs at other venues, such as local concerts and parades around the state of Wisconsin.External links
- University of Wisconsin Marching Band's Official Site, accessed Nov. 22, 2006
- Downloadable 16-minute audio interview with UW Band Director Michael Leckrone, Leckrone talks about band history, evolution of the Spring Concert and UW fans around the United States.
- Wisconsin Mellophones, accessed Nov. 22, 2006
- University of Wisconsin Marching Clarinets, accessed Nov. 22, 2006
- mumupi.org, accessed Nov. 22, 2006
- Official website of Trombones section, accessed July 30, 2009
- Dean of Students Lori M. Berquam wrote a letter to parents/guardians of members of the band on 3 Oct 2008, accessed Oct. 9, 2008