University of Wisconsin Marching Band

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
The University of Wisconsin Marching Band
Image:N2200176860 37894.jpg
   School University of Wisconsin
   Location Madison, Wisconsin
   Conference Big Ten
   Founded 1885
   Director Michael Leckrone
   Members 325
   Uniform White hat with red/white plume, red jacket with red/white overlay with W logos, black pants, black shoes with white spats.

The University of Wisconsin Marching Band is the marching band for the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was formed with 11 members in the fall of 1885 to support the military battalion. Today, it has grown to considerable size and performs at all Badger home football games.

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] The Early Years

[edit] Morphy Period

[edit] Dvorak Era

[edit] Leckrone Years

[edit] Instrumentation

This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims.
 Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the talk page for details.

The band, composed of just over 320 members, is divided into 28 ranks, including various alternate spots. On any given show, there are 224 marchers on the field, not counting the drum major. These ranks number from 1 to 25 and letters A through C. There are also "fill" or "X" spots designated X-1 through X-18. Further, every member on the field is assigned a number from 1 to 8 reflecting their position within their rank. So, the rank leader, who marches in the front of the rank, is assigned the number 1. The rank leader of rank 1 is number 1-1 (shortened to 11), rank 2's leader is 21, 3 is 31, and so on.

  • Rank 1, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 18, 20, 22, 25, A: Trumpets (111 members)- By far the most numerous of any section, all trumpets are B-Flat and often carry the melody, along with the trombones. The trumpets furnish the Band that powerful, crisp sound heard.
  • Rank 2: Clarinets (15 members)- Provide the Band with the much needed higher overtones. Particularly known for their trills and marching style, the clarinets are among the first out onto the field to perform run-on.
  • Rank 3, 6, 9, 19, 21, 23: Trombones (58 members)- The trombones, as well as the trumpets, are the primary carriers of the melody. They provide the Band with the base of their powerful and deep sound.
  • Rank 7, C: Mellophones (15 members)- Also known as the marching french horns, the mellophones, in conjunction with the flügelhorns and euphoniums, also provide the Band's sound a great deal of color with their high note riffs at the end of songs. By far, this is the loudest section in the Band based on a per person basis.
  • Rank 12, 13: Percussion (29 members)- Perhaps the flashiest section of the Band, the percussion is made up of snare and bass drums, cymbals and duos. They are the hardest working section in the Band and infuse the Band with the rhythm and drive that keeps the Wisconsin Band engine churning.
  • Rank 14, 15: Tubas (21 members)- Also known as the sousaphones, the tubas are the most recognizable section of the Band. From leading the Band onto the field for pre-game through the traditional "cranking," to the ever important bass line, the tubas provide the Band with an irreverent enthusiasm.
  • Rank 16: Flügelhorns (8 members)- The flügelhorns traditionally consist of the best marchers from the trumpet section. With "Wank & Drive" as their motto, the flügelhorns, along with the mellophones and euphoniums, provide the color that rounds out the sound of the Wisconsin Band.
  • Rank 17: Euphoniums (9 members)- Comprised of both bass and treble clef parts, the euphonium are the most difficult instrument to march with. They, along with the flügelhorns and mellophones, provide the color for the sound of the Wisconsin Band.
  • Rank 24, B: Saxophones (22 members)- Also very good marchers, the saxes consist of both alto and tenors. They give the Band a well-rounded sound and an unmatched enthusiasm.

[edit] Traditions

[edit] The 5th Quarter

Most bands have a post-game performance, but the University of Wisconsin Marching Band by far has the most famous: The Fifth Quarter. First, the entire band marches onto the field from the closest endzone. The band then halts, faces the winning team's stands and plays their team's school song (usually facing the home stands and starting with On Wisconsin); then they turn to the other side and play that team's school song. After that, all hell breaks loose as band members play, sing, roll on the turf, play leapfrog, and generally have a good time.

Played during the Fifth Quarter are "On Wisconsin", "You've Said It All", "Space Badgers", "Dance Little Bird" (The Chicken Dance), "Beer Barrel Polka", "Tequila", "Hey Baby", and much more. Singing along are thousands of spectators who remain in the stands to enjoy the show. The Fifth Quarter has been performed everywhere across America, and even during two blackouts.

At the end of the Fifth Quarter, the band lines up once more to play Varsity, and everyone joins in. The band then exits the field to the north entrance to perform a little more and sing "It's Hard to Be Humble", after which the band parades to Humanities, with fans tagging along and experiencing the unique antics of the Badger Band on the move.

[edit] Band Banquet

[edit] Band Day

[edit] Dismissal

[edit] On Wisconsin Finale

[edit] 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 it signifies 'looking back' at the victory that day.

[edit] Skyrockets

[edit] Tuba March

[edit] 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 do a skyrocket, and then the band plays On Wisconsin twice, and Hot Time once. Then the band plays an abbreviated version of the opposing school's song, followed by the pregame concert selection. The band then plays the halftime show and gets ready to march to Camp Randall for pregame. However, before the band leaves, they play "The Bud Song" (You've Said It All) and On Wisconsin one last time to fire up the fans. Then they march to the Camp Randall for pregame.

[edit] Varsity Arm Swing

[edit] The Uniform

[edit] Drum Major Uniform

[edit] Director Uniforms

[edit] The Pride of Wisconsin

[edit] Timeline

[edit] References

[edit] External links


Marching bands of the Big Ten
Marching Illini (Illinois) • Indiana University Marching Hundred (Indiana) • Hawkeye Marching Band (Iowa) • Michigan Marching Band (Michigan) • Spartan Marching Band (Michigan State) • University of Minnesota Marching Band (Minnesota) • The Ohio State University Marching Band (Ohio State) • Penn State Blue Band (Penn State) • Purdue All-American Marching Band (Purdue) • Wildcat Marching Band (Northwestern) • University of Wisconsin Marching Band (Wisconsin)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../u/n/i/University_of_Wisconsin_Marching_Band_15b6.html"