Mighty Sound of Maryland

The Mighty Sound of Maryland
School	University of Maryland
Location	College Park, MD
Conference	Big Ten Conference
Founded	1908
Director	Eli R. Osterloh (Director of Bands)
Assistant director	Craig Potter (Assistant Director of Athletic Bands)
Members	250
Fight song	"The Victory Song (The University recognizes two songs. This is what is used primarily at sporting events, but is technically known as the Victory Song.)"
Uniform
Website	Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band

The Mighty Sound of Maryland is the marching band of the University of Maryland. It was founded in 1908 at what was then known as the Maryland Agricultural College. The band performs pregame and halftime shows at all Maryland Terrapins home football games, and travels to at least one away game each year.

History

Early Years

For 50 years prior to 1909, the military-style college heard music by the Cadet Corps Drum and Buglers. Then, in 1909, the Maryland Agricultural College prevailed upon Mr. Levi G. Smith, a local violinist, to organize and conduct a band capable of playing for all formal ROTC functions. The result was a 19-piece band, which set up in the barracks behind present day South Campus Dining Hall. It played exclusively for ROTC functions for its first year, but later branched out to other school and community events. By 1927, three student bands were organized, and the bands were first recognized as an official student organization. In 1928, Sgt. Otto Siebeneichen, retired director of the U.S. Army Band, was appointed the first full-time director admitted to the faculty of the University of Maryland.

In 1924, the old football stadium was built. It occupied the location where Fraternity Row now stands. The stadium was razed in 1953 so that construction of Frat Row could begin. Women were allowed in the concert bands for the first time in 1937.

Mr. Frank V. Sykora, a graduate of the Imperial Russian Conservatory, directed the bands from 1947-1949. During his tenure, the size of the bands grew to over 100 members and began extensive traveling.

In 1950, the football arena, Byrd Stadium, opened with a win over Navy, and the band was fortunate to gain the guidance of Warrant Officer Robert L. Landers, the conductor of the world-renowned "Singing Sergeants" as well as the Maryland Red and White Band.

The Music Department at Maryland was established in 1954, led by Homer Ulrich. The university hired Ulrich as the first full-time band director to be member of the music faculty.

Hubert Henderson, hired in 1955, established the band in the Music Department and integrated it as an ensemble (both marching and concert) in the music performance and music education programs. He was assisted by associate directors Norman Heim, Henry Romersa and Acton Ostling, Jr.

Queen Elizabeth visited the campus while touring the U.S.A. in 1957.^[1] Her visit was so important that the band was given $10,000 to purchase new uniforms to be used at the football game that she attended.

Henderson left in 1965 and Ostling became the director of bands. John Wakefield was hired to work with Ostling as associate director. When Ostling left in 1968, Wakefield became the director of bands. With the help of associate directors Fred Heath, Jerry Gardner, Dieter Zimmer and L. Richmond Sparks, Wakefield has led the bands to the superior ensembles they are today.

2000-2009

The Mighty Sound of Maryland forms the "Block M" formation in 2007 at Maryland Stadium (then Byrd Stadium).

In August 2000, the bands moved from their old home of Tawes Fine Arts Building into the brand new state of the art Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. In November of that year the Mighty Sound of Maryland marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. In September 2001, the new band room was dedicated to Mr. John E. Wakefield, Director of Bands, in appreciation of all his hard work and dedication to the University of Maryland Band Program.

During Early Week (band camp) of 2006, band director L. Richmond Sparks introduced the idea of a volunteer trip to New Orleans to the band. The idea was met with much enthusiasm and excitement, and on September 9, 2006 the band played a New Orleans Tribute halftime show. After finishing on the field, each member of the band took to the stands to collect donations in their shakos to help fund a service trip to New Orleans over winter break. In the third quarter of the game over $25,000 was raised. By the end of the semester, over $50,000 had been raised to fund the band's trip. After a long bus ride, over 240 members of the band spent a week in New Orleans building houses with Habitat for Humanity at the Musicians' Village Project. While in Louisiana, the band also performed for Habitat for Humanity volunteers, at Gallier Hall for the mayor, and at the Krewe of Alla's Mardi Gras kickoff parade in Gretna, LA.^[2]

In the Fall of 2008, the Maryland band program celebrated its 100th anniversary.^[3]

2010-Present

In 2010, the Mighty Sound of Maryland won CBS's Hawaii Five-0 theme song contest, gaining a prize of $25,000 for the band program. Part of their recorded performance of the theme was also aired on CBS during the show.^[4] The band was able to purchase new uniforms with their winnings.

The Mighty Sound of Maryland marched in the 2013 inauguration parade for President Barack Obama. The band was selected from over 2,800 other applicants and marked the fourth time they had participated in an inaugural parade.^[5]

In 2014, the Maryland Terrapins and the band joined the Big Ten Conference, home to bands widely considered to be some of the nation's finest..^[6] The bands directors expressed hope that the move would generate both additional exposure and funding for the band.

The Truck

During pre- and post-game parades, the Mighty Sound of Maryland performs a choreographed cheer and drum cadence known as "The Truck." Each section of the band writes their own lyrics and dances to The Truck, often cheering on the team and referencing the friendly rivalries between sections.

When the Terps win, band members wear their shakos backwards while performing The Truck.

Pregame Show

The Mighty Sound of Maryland pregame show begins with a double-time Tunnel Entrance into a large block on the field. The band performs the Pregame Fanfare followed by the Victory Song while executing an eight-to-five march into the "Block M" formation. The band then performs Freedom Fanfare and Battle Hymn of the Republic and The Star-Spangled Banner as a salute to the United States.

Following the Star-Spangled Banner, the band performs a cheer while spelling out "MARYLAND," then playing the Fight Song. The formation is flipped to spell "GO TERPS" to the backfield as the band plays Maryland, My Maryland. Facing the visitor's side, the band then performs the visiting team's fight song.

At the conclusion of the visiting team's fight song, the band moves to a large block in the center of the field to execute the Mighty Sound of Maryland's signature move, "Block and Mess." The band unwinds the block in a double-time march at over 250 beats per minute, forming a script "UM" designed to appear upright from either side of the stadium. The band then performs the Alma Mater.

At the conclusion of the Alma Mater, the band moves into a shield formation during the playing of Crown Imperial. Midway through the piece, the world's largest Maryland State Flag, measuring about 20 yards long, is unfurled by the Dance Team inside the shield. The formation and flag are recognized as another hallmark of the Mighty Sound of Maryland pregame show.

Following Crown Imperial, the band moves under cadence to form a tunnel for the football team's entrance before exiting the field.

Stands

The band performs a number of school songs and popular pieces in the stands during the game. The Victory Song is played following successful field goals and extra points, while The Fight Song is played after a Maryland touchdown.

Mars, the Bringer of War is played during kickoffs.

The Bone Cheer is performed by KAOS, the trombone and baritone section, usually once per game. The cheer involves the section alone playing a song and the rest of the band yelling "Go! Fight! Win!" Once the cheer ends, the Tenor Sax Challenge begins, in which tenor saxophone players hold up their instruments from the base using only one hand for as long as they can. Another KAOS cheer is performing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah.

The band performs a number of popular pieces as well, with staples including Take on Me, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Seven Nation Army.

Following every victory, the band plays Battle Hymn from the film Gladiator after playing the Alma Mater.

Discontinued Traditions

The Amen Chorus was played at the end of victories, accompanied loudly by students and fans. It was considered a tradition unique to the University of Maryland. It was discontinued in the late 80's. The tradition was revived for one night only on January 11, 2017, while the band served as a pep band during a men's basketball game, in honor of Coach Lefty Driesell.

Rock and Roll Part II was played following touchdowns and other big plays to energize the crowd. Due to the student section's improvised lyrics - and the university's concerns about sportsmanship and its image - the band was forbidden from playing the song at all football and basketball games in 2004.^[7]

References

External links

• Official website