| Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band The Pride of the Southwest |
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2007 SDMB Pitchfork Formation before Sun Devil Football Team's Introduction. |
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| School | Arizona State University |
| Location | Tempe, Arizona |
| Conference | Pacific-12 Conference |
| Founded | 1915 |
| Director | Mr. James G. Hudson |
| Members | 400+ |
| Uniform | Maroon and white jackets with a mirror in the center of a sun on the front, black pants, maroon shakos with 14" white plumes, and white capes with the letters "ASU" in gold. |
| Website | http://music.asu.edu/sundevilband/ |
The Arizona State Sun Devil Marching Band (ASUSDMB), also known as The Pride of the Southwest, is the athletic band of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devil Marching Band motto is “Expect Great Things.” The acronym EGT is inscribed on a sign that hangs from the director’s podium towering over the band's practice field, and is a symbol of the high standards that band members strive to meet.[1] The ASU Band program, which includes the Marching and Pep bands, the Wind Ensemble, and the Symphonic Band, is a part of the Katherine K. Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, School of Music. The band is currently under the direction of Director of Athletic Bands James G. Hudson, who took over the program in 2006.[2] The Sun Devil Marching Band is a major ambassador for Arizona State University and the state of Arizona. Each year almost 500,000 people are entertained by the band, which plays at home football at Sun Devil Stadium and as a pep band for basketball games at Wells Fargo Arena, homecoming, bowl game parades, other community events in the Valley, across the country, and even abroad.
On September 20, 1915, the Arizona Board of Education accepted and ratified the creation of the Tempe Bulldogs Marching Band under Mrs. Lillian Williams (1915–1917).[3] Under her guidance she furnished on her own the bands instruments, uniforms, and repertoire of standard classical music. The Bulldogs Marching Band though would be discontinued due to World War I. Williams last appearance was during 1947 concert as then Sun Devil Marching Band director Felix E. McKernan honored her. The Bulldogs Marching Band return in 1929 under short tenure of the direction of John Paul Jones. In transition under the direction of Carl G. Hoyer in 1937 the band's first bowl appearance for the Tournament of Roses Parade where the band won second prize. Though that year Hoyer would leave after then Arizona governor, Benjamin Baker Moeur, rejected his Arizona State Song for the state song of Arizona. During Dr. Robert G. Lyon five year tenure was the addition of new parade and marching formations as well as swing music. Under Felix E. McKernan direction saw the various changes taken place for the band and the school. In 1946, the school's, mascot was redesigned by former Disney illustrator, Bert Anthony, from the Bulldog to Sparky, the Sun Devil. McKernan made his marks in the band by composing the school's fight song Maroon & Gold, implementing script drill formations in pregame and halftime shows, holding auditions for instrumentation placing, offering scholarships to boost membership, recruiting high school band members, establishing Band Day, and formatting three weekly rehearsals. All of which laid the basis for band to grow rapidly. The band's growing reputation brought a lot of praise from directors across the nation such as Clarence Sawhill (1947–1952) of the USC Trojan Band proclaimed the band as "The Best Marching Band in the Southwest." [3] McKernan's predecessor, Harold C. Hines, as well added to McKernan's body of work by holding band camp a week before the Fall semester begins, additions to pregame pageantry, 1957 implementing fireworks, band's active role in Proposition 200 in 1958 for university status, and establishing the Alumni Band for Homecoming Games. August 1974 initiated a new period in the history of the Sun Devil Band program with the hiring of two new directors. The two men brought a new style of marching and philosophy to ASU's band program. When Dr. Richard E. "Doc" Strange (1974–1999) became Director of Bands in 1974, the directorship was expanded to include an assistant director. Dr. Robert C. "Coach" Fleming (1974–2002) became ASU's first Assistant Director of Bands; this position was ultimately elevated to Associate Director of Bands, and is now designated Director of Athletic Bands. The Marching Band gained national recognition by performing at the 1987 and 1997 Rose Bowl games and Tournament of Roses Parades.[4][5] Also to the band's credit are performances at Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, the then Los Angeles Raiders and Los Angeles Rams professional football games, Phoenix Suns professional basketball games, Sea World, Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, Universal Studios, SeaWorld San Diego, on the deck of the Navy carrier USS Enterprise, and the 1990 Coca-Cola Bowl in Tokyo, Japan.[6] Of note during the San Francisco 49er gig fans were impressed by the Sun Devil Marching Band rendition of George Cory's I Left My Heart in San Francisco the franchise insisted on the band making a 1963 recording and continued on using it at 49ers home games. On November 9, 1991 the Sun Devil Marching Band became the first Pac-10 marching band to receive the prestigious Sudler Trophy.[7] This great honor is awarded annually to a college or university marching band that has demonstrated the highest musical standards and innovative marching routines and ideas. Recently, on February 3, 2008, the band was invited by the NFL, to be part of the pregame and halftime festivities of Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona.[8]
Sun Devil Marching Band has Graduate Teaching Assistants, Adjunct Instructors, and Student Staff who work under the Director and alongside the Drum Majors in running the band. For each section of the band, there is an individual instructor who specializes in the specific line's main concentration. The band also offers full-time student members annual paid jobs such as Athletic Band Librarians, Office Assistants, and Equipment Managers. Athletic Band Librarians are responsible for ensuring that music and drill sheets are printed and ready for rehearsals, in addition to managing the band music library. Office Assistants are responsible for assisting clerical work in the band office. Equipment Managers, along with being full-time students at ASU, are required to have a valid driver’s license and be 21 years of age; they are responsible for transporting drum major podiums, plumes for shakos, percussion instruments, and sousaphones with cases to each home game.
| Year | Drum Majors |
|---|---|
| 1950 | Duke Miller |
| 1951 | Duke Miller |
| 1952 | Bill Lester |
| 1973 | Steve Banks |
| 1974 | Steve Banks |
| 1975 | Steve Banks |
| 1976 | Dave Henderson |
| 1977 | Dave Henderson |
| 1978 | Dave Henderson |
| 1979 | Dave Henderson |
| 1984 | Jon Gomez |
| 1985 | Jon Gomez |
| 1986 | Jon Gomez |
| 1987 | Jon Gomez, Mike Goodwin |
| 1996 | Susanne Butcher, Michelle Butcher, Tawnya Milligan, Kristi Olsen |
| 1997 | Ginger Lockhart, Michelle Butcher, Cheryl Muller, Tawnya Milligan |
| 1998 | Ginger Lockhart, Jaime Ali, Cheryl Muller |
| 1999 | Cheryl Muller, Tawnya Milligan, June Wagner |
| 2000 | June Wagner, Emily Davis |
| 2001 | Emily Davis, Nathan Johnston, Ty Largo, Tawnya Milligan |
| 2002 | Tawnya Milligan, Shane Edrington, Nathan Johnston, Ty Largo |
| 2003 | Alex Raines, Shane Edrington, Nathan Johnston, Katie Thomas |
| 2004 | Alex Raines, Ivan Pour, Katie Thomas, TJ Witucky |
| 2005 | Ivan Pour, Liz Salazar, Tim Rall, TJ Witucky |
| 2006 | Chris Boccuzzo, DeAnna Uranga, Katie Rennell |
| 2007 | Chris Coughlin, DeAnna Uranga, Katie Rennell |
| 2008 | DeAnna Uranga, James Clemmons, Katie Rennell |
| 2009 | James Clemmons, Greg Mills, Jonathan Saturay |
| 2010 | James Clemmons and Greg Mills |
| 2011 | Patricia Estrada, Greg Rudolph, Robert Mattix, and Greg Mills |
Each section of the band has a section leader and one or two rank leaders, depending on the size of the section. They oversee their section during sectional rehearsals, which could cover music or marching technique. During games, trips, and other events, the drum majors often rely on the section leaders to help organize the band before parades and other performances. Section leaders are also responsible for administrative tasks for their sections such as ensuring attendance at events, and seeing that all necessary forms are filled out by their section members.
Membership in the Sun Devil Marching Band is open to all university and community college students with previous high school or college marching band experience. In order to receive one credit hour for the class for full-time ASU students and non-degree community college students seeking the credit enrollment in the class is required in order to obtain the credit hour. For some individuals interested in participating in the Sun Devil Marching Band, yet are not considered full-time, degree seeking students at ASU. In the past, these students have been required to apply to ASU as non-degree status in order to register for the course. Currently it is arrange that an alternate “registration” route for those who will only be registered for the marching band course(s), giving them the opportunity to participate in the Sun Devil Marching Band without incurring full tuition costs. Undergraduate music education majors in the School of Music are required to achieve 2 credit hours of marching band to fulfill School of Music requirements. Color Guard, Spirit Squad and Percussion have an additional class to add for one credit hour.
Battery Percussion, Colorguard, Dance Team/Spirit Squad, Featured Twirlers, and Front Ensemble are the only sections of the Sun Devil Marching Band that require a formal audition during the Spring. Drum Major candidates need to sign up for an audition with the athletic band director. For leadership roles in the band (section/rank leaders) members must sign up for an interview with the athletic band director. Guitar, Piano (Synthesizer), and Bass Players interested are required to sign up for an audition in front of athletic band director. Placement audition within Hornline sections is held during Band Camp in August.
One week prior to the start of the Fall semester regular classes, the Sun Devil Marching holds its annual Band Camp. Attending camp is crucial in order to join the band. Recently Band Camp has been modified with the addition of Arizona State University Athletics new indoor practice field known as, the Verde Dickey Center or "The Bubble", on 6th Street and Rural Road where the old band field resided. New relocation of band field is right behind Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium. With "The Bubble" the band has the opportunity to avoid the Arizona dry heat during the day when the Bubble is not occupied by the football team. Camp is also held at Gammage Auditorium for indoor rehearsals and gatherings. This camp involves extensive marching and playing exercises designed to introduce new members to the Sun Devil Marching Band style and "warm-up" old members. The pre-game show, the first half-time show, and much of the season's show music (at a minimum) is rehearsed during this camp. Other camp activities involve instrument, uniform, and music checkout, part placement auditions, and get-acquainted orientation social functions. Traditionally the Sousaphone players have a custom of welcoming their new members known as "Tuba Baptism" in Cady Fountain on Cady Mall. During this initiation the new members are call out one by one to receive their nickname. Through the course of the season they are to figure out the origin of their nickname and if not solved is later revealed at the end of the season. Additionally, incoming Freshmen and new members of the band, or "Blue Chippers", are expected to learn and perform "Maroon and Gold" and the ASU Alma Mater on the last evening of the camp.
During the Fall semester the band meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Color guard, Percussion, and Spirit Squad run separate rehearsals after from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and full band in the morning of game day.[10] Rehearsals are used to perfect and improve the many shows the band member will have to learn. Attendance is mandatory for every member at all rehearsals, performances, and official functions. Unless excused absence, a member can be held from a performance, receive a lower letter grade, dropped from the class for excessive unexcused absences. After the Friday rehearsal before a game day, the whole band joins in arms to sing the Alma Mater.
Brand new university tradition for 2010 Fall Semester held on Thursdays at noon right at the Memorial Union North Stage. The purpose of the rally is to encourage student attendance at student athletic events on campus.
Tradition started in the 2009 Fall Semester of going onto Mill Avenue and playing a few songs for Mill Avenue patrons the Friday night before a home football game.
The Sun Devil Marching Band starts off game day with a short morning rehearsal to go over pre-game and halftime material. Two hours before the game starts, Devil Walk, a fairly new tradition where the band performs welcoming fans and the football team as they arrive to Sun Devil Stadium. After warming up on the steps of Wells Fargo Arena the band performs standstill Pregame and Halftime show excerpts. The band then marches around parking lot 59 en route to the North Gate in preparation of Pregame. During this trek through lot 59, a couple can be seen chucking bags of peanuts at members of the band to consume later in the stands. This couple, Dave and Jenni Ryon know affectionally by the band as the "Peanut People" have continued this tradition since 1981 at all home games. Pregame starts with the battery entering the field from the Northeast Entrance performing their drum cadence, "Big Game." Towards the end of the cadence the rest of the band then storms on to the field into formation performing Pregame Fanfare, Maroon & Gold. In the past, the band - including sousaphones, would run out from the South Endzone tunnel in what was called the "Trot". God Bless the USA, National Anthem, and Arizona State University Alma Mater make up the core of pregame music with variations made for presentations and special events. After the pregame show, the band performs "Go Go Devils" also known as The Al Davis Fight Song, while forming a "Pitchfork" at the South Endzone for the Sun Devil players to go through during football team's introduction. The band then exits the field and makes their way to Section 19, which is reserved for band to perform stand tunes to support the football team and rile up the student section and fans. The band then returns to the field at Halftime for a performance. For a season, the band performs up to 4 to 5 Halftime shows depending on how many home games are scheduled. During the third quarter, a selected group of band members known as the traveling band plays for many seating areas within the stadium for an up close experience for fans to enjoy. This group can be seen sprinting through concession areas between stops at seating areas.
"Maroon & Gold", ASU’s fight song, is a familiar tune for Sun Devils all over the country, but it is not the only "fight song" at Arizona State. In the 1940s, band director Albert Davis wrote "Go, Go Sun Devils" (more commonly known to the band as "The Al Davis Fight Song"). Although Davis retired in the 1950s, to this day, the Sun Devil Marching Band continues to play the Al Davis Fight Song in their pregame performance as the Sun Devils come out of the tunnel onto the field, and occasionally makes up humorous lyrics.
The band once played Here Comes the King known as the Budweiser Song when they received sponsorship from the local Anheuser-Busch distributor. Since then the campus and stadium have gone dry and the song has fallen out of favor. The alumni band still plays the song in recognition of the past.
On the morning of the Homecoming Game, the band can be seen featured in the Homecoming Parade marching down University Drive. Homecoming also welcomes back Sun Devil Marching Band alums as they follow a previous band tradition warming up in front of the Student Service Building. They also get re-acquainted with Frank Kush Field performing Pregame Fanfare and Maroon and Gold. The alumni band then sits at the Northwest corner of Sun Devil Stadium to perform stand tunes from years past.
On the morning of the rivalry game against Arizona Wildcats both Sun Devil Marching Band and Pride of Arizona join together to host the Battle of the Bands. This event is free to the public as both of the bands play their shows for each other and combine together afterwards to rehearse on a tune to be performed at halftime.
In the 2006 and 2007 seasons the band had opportunities of bringing in guest appearances of nationally and world renowned recording artists for halftime performances.
The first Band Day was held on December 4, 1948 in conjunction with the 1948 Homecoming. Since then, the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band hosts its Band Day on the football team's road game or bye week at Sun Devil Stadium. High school bands from all over the state of Arizona come to play for judges and their peers. About 50+ high school bands perform, followed by the Sun Devil Marching Band. There is a morning block for one half of the bands to perform and a night block known as Sun Devil Showdown of the rest of the bands to perform which makes Band Day an all-day event, as well as making ASU Band Day the biggest marching band competition in the state.[13] For the 2008 Band Day, the top high school band, Mesa Mountain View Toro Band won the first Dr. Robert "Coach" Fleming Outstanding Band Award in honor of the Sun Devil Marching Band's eleventh band director.
Towards the end of every marching season the band performs Pregame and all Halftime shows headlining the "Pass in Review" concert held this past year in Wells Fargo Arena. A compact disc recording of the Sun Devil Marching Band performance at Pass in Review is available through Sun Devil Marching Band Merchandise Website. Pass in Review also takes time to recognize upperclass band members who will not be returning the following year by allowing them to lead in a rendition of Maroon & Gold.[1]
Annual event where all members are encouraged to come and bring their families to share an evening of awards, remembrance, and celebration. Sun Devil Marching Band recognizes members with excellent service records. The awards of note for service records are that three year members get a Sun Devil Marching Band lined windbreaker and four year members get a Sun Devil Marching Band watch. Kappa Kappa Psi sponsors awards to Outstanding Freshmen, Outstanding Senior, and Outstanding All Around members of the Sun Devil Marching Band.
The band has traveled all over the original Pac-10. Prior to 2009, the band made an annual trip to Los Angeles, California for either the USC or UCLA games. The band continues to travel bi-annually to Tucson, Arizona to play against rival University of Arizona. They also follow the football team to any bowl game that they get invited to if funding is available.
On one occasion the band was unable to support the Sun Devil football team at the 2006 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl in Honolulu (Halawa), Hawaii.[14] The bowl payout for 2006 was $300,000 in addition the Pac-10 conference paid $389,000 (total $689,000) to offset expenses for the university.[15] However, the university spent $824,000 total on the trip, losing $135,000 on the trip. In contrast the 1999 & 2000 Aloha Bowl paid $750,000 with no conference contribution, but with a higher ticket guarantee and only lost $70,000 on each trip.[16] The bowl after decided to drop the Pac-10 Conference deal and made a current deal with Conference USA.[17]
In 2007, in its 60th season titled as the Sun Devil Marching Band the band received a very generous donation from donor Dr. Verde Dickey, funding the purchase of a new set of uniforms for the Sun Devil Marching Band.[18] These new uniforms consist of white jackets fading into gold with a sunburst at the clip. In the middle of the sunburst is a mirror which represents the illumination of not only the sun, but also the bright personality a Sun Devil reflects. One arm of the jacket is maroon, while the other is gold. White gauntlets fastened with suns, and white gloves using Velcro finish the sleeves. A cape with the ASU lettering is added to the ensemble as a throwback to capes worn by the band in years past. The pants are purely black, rising to about chest level with the aid of suspenders. Black Viper marching shoes are used paired with equally black socks.[11][19]
The marching band uses many different instruments of varying range and sound in its ranks. Providing a central point to tempo and beat by conducting on the sideline are the three Drum Majors. The hornline is divided into two major groups: woodwinds and brass. In addition to the hornline, the band also uses a percussion section that is divided into a marching battery of drums and a stationary sideline pit. With presence of a pit as part of the percussion section, it makes the Sun Devil Devil Marching Band one of the few college marching bands to field a pit. The other Pac-12 marching band currently fielding a pit is the Oregon Marching Band.[20] The bottom bass drum in the battery section is known as the "thumper" for count offs for the band during march around the stadium, parades, and entering the field for halftime shows.
Hornline is sponsored by Jupiter Band Instruments.[21]
Brass
Woodwinds
Percussion is sponsored by Mapex Drums and Majestic Percussion,[22] Pro-Mark Drumsticks,[23] Remo, and Avedis Zildjian Company. In the past outside of marching season the drum line has branched out to other spectrums of percussion world such as forming ASU PASIC Drumline in 1995 with Percussive Arts Society International Convention being held locally and hosted by Dr. J.B. Smith, Professor of Music and the Coordinator of Percussion Studies in the School of Music at Arizona State University, at Phoenix Civic Plaza in Phoenix, Arizona.[24] With the recent sensation of indoor percussion has had few lines part take in it. Initially with the 1998 ASU Spring Line and with the addition of the pit during the 2006 marching season the staff formed the 2007 ASU Winter Drumline. Competing locally in the Winter Guard Arizona circuit as well as nationally in Winter Guard International Percussion Regionals in Phoenix and Las Vegas in order to qualify in Winter Guard International Percussion World Championship in Dayton, Ohio. The winter line though has been on hold due to constraints since its inaugural line in 2007.[25]
Battery
Front Ensemble
Outside of the music producing sections of the band are the Sun Devil Spirit Squad/Dance Team, Featured Twirlers, and the Colorguard, all in charge of providing visually stimulating color and movement to the band in addition to the band's show forms and design.
Implemented in the 1975 season, known for the most visible aspects of the Sun Devil Marching Band. Presenting the visual story of the band's halftime performance through the use of flags, rifles, sabers, props, and dance. Colorguard members get a "corps-style" choreography and benefit from the instruction by some of the field's leaders. The colorguard program also features a World Class Winterguard in the off season and holds auditions in the fall for the next active winter season. The ASU Winterguard competes locally in the Winter Guard Arizona circuit as well as WGI regional events culminating at the Winter Guard International Championship held in Dayton, Ohio. [27]
The Feature Twirler position offers one of the most prestigious twirling opportunities in the country. Through competitive auditions for one-year appointments, nationally recognized twirlers are used prominently during all Sun Devil Marching Band shows. The current twirlers are Lauren Basile, Megan Husted, Danielle Cobb and Kristin Brumleau. Handling of the baton instrument to create visual images, pictures, and patterns, executed with dexterity, smoothness, fluidity, and speed, both close in and around the body and by releasing the baton into the air.[28]
As a visible representative and ambassador of the university's athletics, the Spirit Squad/Dance Team devotes 15–20 hours every week to rehearsals, football games (home and away), Men's and Women's Basketball games, special appearances, clinics, competitions, and various special events.[29] The creation of the Spirit Squad came in Spring 2008 with the university's decision to disband the cheerleading squad and merge the cheer and dance team, under the direction of the Athletic Band Director.[30] Male members of the Spirit Squad are known as Sparky's Crew, assisting Sparky the Sun Devil and Spirit Squad in cheers with megaphones, banners, and signs.[31]
Members of the Marching Band are allowed to participate in the ASU Pep Band, which plays at all home Men's and Women's Basketball games at Wells Fargo Arena and traveled annually to San Jose, California for the Women's Pac-10 tournament before it was moved to coincide with the Men's Pac-10 tournament in Los Angeles, California. They also follow the teams to any NCAA and NIT tournaments they qualify for.[32]
In addition the Dixie Devils and Sparky's Sliders are the newest members of the ASU Athletic Band family. Both groups, under the direction of world renown and ASU School of Music Professor Sam Pilafian. Dixie Devils is a traditional six-piece Dixieland Combo that specializes in Early Jazz, Ragtime, and Swing Music, focusing primarily on the music of Louis Armstrong, Bix Biederbecke, King Oliver, and Freddie Keppard. The Dixie Devils can be seen outside around Sun Devil Stadium at all Sun Devil home football games, select basketball and baseball games and are available for all functions, Commercial or Private.[33] Sparky's Sliders is an all Trombone Dixie Band that can be seen inside Wells Fargo Arena for Devil's Lair tailgating entertaining fans before games.[34]
The ASU Band is served by the Beta Omicron chapter[35] of Kappa Kappa Psi. Pursuant with purposes of Kappa Kappa Psi, the Beta Omicron chapter works to serve the ASU Bands by "assisting the Director of Bands in developing the leadership and enthusiasm that is required of his/her band." Goals are to provide the band not only with organized and concentrated service activities, but to give our membership valid and wholesome experiences in organization, leadership, and social contacts.
The honorary nature of membership is based on the premise that “it is an honor to be selected to serve” the band, its department of music, its sponsoring institution, and the cause of band music in the nation's colleges and universities.[36]
The ASU Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi was founded on November 12, 1949. Since that time, Beta Omicron has been awarded the Founder's Trophy twice (1985 and 2003), the F. Lee Bowling Participation Award once (1993), recognized as a "Top Chapter" 11 times, and served as a host site for the National Convention twice (1993 and 2009). Beta Omicron has also hosted the Western District Convention once (1989) and the Western District Leadership Conference twice (1999 and 2008).
Of special note, the ASU Bands were originally served by 2 fraternities: the Beta Omicron chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi for male bandsmen and the Sigma Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma (ΤΒΣ) for female bandsmen. In 1978, ASU was the first university in the country to merge these brother fraternities into a coed chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, with the female members of TBΣ being formally initiated into Kappa Kappa Psi.
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