The Michigan Marching Band (also known as the University of Michigan Marching Band or simply MMB) is the official marching band of the University of Michigan. The band performs at all Michigan Wolverines football home games, select away games, and numerous concerts, pep rallies, and parades. As a student musical ensemble, the MMB evolved from the original Michigan Band of twenty-two players in 1896 to today's band of over 400 members.
History
Pre-1900
Though there is evidence of one or more bands formed at the University of Michigan between 1844 and 1859, there no continuous link between those early groups and the organization of a 22-member university band by Harry dePont on November 13, 1896. From its start, the band received no financial support from the university. The band's first performance was for the Law School's observance of Washington's Birthday on February 22, 1897. University president James Burrill Angell granted dePont's request for rehearsal space in Room A of University Hall, and by 1898 the band was being referred to as the "University of Michigan Band" and performed at football games.
1900–1929
The ensemble disbanded in early 1903, but reunited that fall. Eugene J. Fischer became the band's conductor with the start of the 1906 season. During Wilfred Wilson's subsequent tenure as director, membership in the band grew to nearly 100 musicians and the university allocated permanent space for the band's use in Morris Hall. Nicholas Falcone was appointed as conductor in 1927. The band became an adjunct part of the university in 1929.
1930–1949
During the Michigan–Ohio State football game in 1932, the MMB first performed a "script Ohio". That field formation was subsequently embellished by the Ohio State University Marching Band, which continues to perform a similar field routine today. The band performed at the Century of Progress exhibition in Chicago in October 1933.
On August 26, 1935, while Bernard Hirsch was serving as Acting Conductor during Nicholas Falcone's medical leave due to hearing loss, the university offered Falcone's position to William D. Revelli who accepted. By 1942, the band had been "voted 'All-American Band' by the nation's sportswriters" for two consecutive years. The band was able to continue performing during the years of World War II. The band's home was relocated to Harris Hall in 1946.
1950–1969
Life featured the band's New York City performance in its October 30, 1950, edition that included an Alfred Eisenstadt photograph of children marching behind drum major Dick Smith. During Homecoming Weekend in November 1950, sixty-five former Michigan bandsmen attended a reunion which resulted in the formation of the University of Michigan Band Alumni Association. In 1953, the Alumni Band began to join the regular band playing and marching at the Homecoming pre-game and halftime shows. George R. Cavender was appointed as Assistant Director of Bands for the University of Michigan in 1952. The band was featured on a color broadcast of the "Today Show" with host Dave Garroway in October 1955. The MMB performed in the so-called "Snow Bowl" game against Ohio State in late November, and later traveled by train to perform in the 1951 Rose Bowl.
Starting in 1961, the Symphony Band recorded several music albums released by Vanguard Records that were credited to "University of Michigan Band." These albums documented the continued, functional specialization of the various ensembles comprising the Michigan Bands at that time. The Varsity Band played at basketball games and campus affairs. The Symphony Band performed in more traditional concert settings. The Marching Band performed at football games. The band received new uniforms, percussion equipment, and fiberglass sousaphones in 1962. The annual Band-O-Rama concert was first held in November 1964. The band performed its "Peace Show" at the nationally televised Michigan-Ohio State football game in 1969. The MMB also performed at the 1970 Rose Bowl following the 1969 season.