Marching Mizzou
Encyclopedia
Marching Mizzou, M2, or The Big 'M' of the Midwest is the performing marching band
for the University of Missouri
formed in 1885 with 12 members. It is the largest student organization on campus and performs at all home football
games. Marching Mizzou's signature drill "Flip Tigers" (seen below) is a staple of the pre-game show before each football game.
, and was so well received by the assembled students and alumni that they were asked back to the next season's football games. The Corps obliged, and the band over doubled in numbers by 1886.
As the bands' renown grew on campus, so did its numbers, no doubt helped by the eventual opening of the band to the entire university following the dissolution of the Corps of Cadets in the 1930s. During this time, the Golden Girls were created, as the band director at the time wished to include a baton-twirling troupe to augment the band's performances. They remained twirlers until 1968, when during a halftime performance they threw their batons up en masse, let them drop to the turf and began to dance. Since then, they have become one of the nation's most successful college dance teams. In the 1970s, the band became the first American university band to play shows in Great Britain
, when they performed at halftime and after football (soccer)
matches at Stamford Bridge
and Wembley Stadium.
Members from Marching Mizzou have also, especially in recent years, spun off to form smaller bands, under the auspices of the Department of Music. These bands (currently Mini Mizzou for men's basketball, 3-Point Play for women's basketball, and Point Mizzou for volleyball) generally support the school's most popular indoor sporting teams, and serve much more of a pep band function. While not specifically part of M2, these smaller groups still perform traditional Mizzou songs, but also add many more contemporary tunes, and make other allowances for the indoor setting (such as using a drum kit instead of a drum/cymbal line, and the addition of a bass guitar
).
The bands' shows at pregame and halftime offer a marked contrast between different styles of marching—traditional, conservative formations before the game. Pregame, the band is led on the field by the head drum major (who, upon reaching midfield, tips his hat to the crowd at Faurot Field
), and performs many of the school's "standards". During the playing of "Old Missouri", the school's alma mater
, the crowd traditionally links arms and sways, adding fist pumps and emphasis at the lines "here's a HEALTH! to thee" and "thy high FAME! shall last". For the Missouri Waltz
, the band plays the first half of the song as a slow waltz, with the supporters waving their arms to the beat. At the midpoint of the song, Marching Mizzou changes to cut time, playing the remainder of the song at a fast clip. These songs are traditionally repeated post-game and before the start of the fourth quarter, respectively. At the half, the bands' shows feature only several distinct formations, which the band remains in for a long period of time. Most of these formations based length-wise, and facing the west (alumni/boosters) end. During the game, the band sits in the south end of Faurot, and will often play short pieces or drum cadences during breaks in the action. Pre-recorded music is only used on defensive third downs or when the band is near the sidelines before halftime.
Marching Mizzou has a wide repertoire of songs, ranging from older marches to classic and modern rock and hip-hop. In addition to the school's songs, and a few band favorites. Halftime shows will normally organize themselves around a particular theme, ranging from specific musical styles or groups.
Normally at an early-season home game, Missouri holds "M2 Band Day", when high school marching bands from across the state are invited to practice and perform at halftime with M2. The songs for the performance are often kept simple, such as patriotic songs or popular marching-band tunes. The performance ends with the bands playing "Every True Son" and "Fight, Tigers".
At the "cut time" portion of the song, the band changes from "waltz step" to a high mark time "chair step" as they continue to float the "M" to mid-field. During this portion of the song, the crowd will enthusiastically clap along with the beat.
.
2010 Insight Bowl
2009 Texas Bowl
2008 Alamo Bowl (2008 Season)
2008 Cotton Bowl (2007 Season)
2006 Sun Bowl
2005 Independence Bowl
2003 Independence Bowl
1998 Insight.com Bowl
1997 Holiday Bowl
1983 Holiday Bowl
1981 Tangerine Bowl
1980 Liberty Bowl
1979 While the Tigers football team played in the 1979 Hall of Fame Bowl, money was not available to send the full band, and Marching Mizzou chose not to attend the game with a reduced band.
1978 Liberty Bowl
1973 Sun Bowl
1972 Fiesta Bowl
1969 Orange Bowl
1968 Gator Bowl
1965 Sugar Bowl
1962 Bluebonnet Bowl
1960 Orange Bowl
1959 Orange Bowl
1949 Gator Bowl
1948 Gator Bowl
1945 Cotton Bowl
1941 Sugar Bowl
1939 Orange Bowl
1924 Christmas Festival
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 Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
formed in 1885 with 12 members. It is the largest student organization on campus and performs at all 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. Marching Mizzou's signature drill "Flip Tigers" (seen below) is a staple of the pre-game show before each football game.
History
Marching Mizzou was founded in 1885, originally as a military-styled band with its membership drawn from the school's old Corps of Cadets. The band made only one appearance that season, at a football game against KansasUniversity of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
, and was so well received by the assembled students and alumni that they were asked back to the next season's football games. The Corps obliged, and the band over doubled in numbers by 1886.
As the bands' renown grew on campus, so did its numbers, no doubt helped by the eventual opening of the band to the entire university following the dissolution of the Corps of Cadets in the 1930s. During this time, the Golden Girls were created, as the band director at the time wished to include a baton-twirling troupe to augment the band's performances. They remained twirlers until 1968, when during a halftime performance they threw their batons up en masse, let them drop to the turf and began to dance. Since then, they have become one of the nation's most successful college dance teams. In the 1970s, the band became the first American university band to play shows in Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, when they performed at halftime and after football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
matches at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
and Wembley Stadium.
Members from Marching Mizzou have also, especially in recent years, spun off to form smaller bands, under the auspices of the Department of Music. These bands (currently Mini Mizzou for men's basketball, 3-Point Play for women's basketball, and Point Mizzou for volleyball) generally support the school's most popular indoor sporting teams, and serve much more of a pep band function. While not specifically part of M2, these smaller groups still perform traditional Mizzou songs, but also add many more contemporary tunes, and make other allowances for the indoor setting (such as using a drum kit instead of a drum/cymbal line, and the addition of a bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
).
M2 Today
Marching Mizzou today has over 300 band members, a full color guard, a featured twirler and four drum majors. These drum majors serve as the top student leaders in M2, assisting in practices and with show design. The Golden Girls, under the direction of Shannon Fry, work closely with the bands' leaders and attend daily practices with Marching Mizzou.The bands' shows at pregame and halftime offer a marked contrast between different styles of marching—traditional, conservative formations before the game. Pregame, the band is led on the field by the head drum major (who, upon reaching midfield, tips his hat to the crowd at Faurot Field
Faurot Field
Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium is the home field of the University of Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Missouri. It is primarily used for football. In 1972, Memorial Stadium's playing surface was named Faurot Field in honor of longtime coach Don Faurot. During the offseason, soccer goals are set up...
), and performs many of the school's "standards". During the playing of "Old Missouri", the school's alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
, the crowd traditionally links arms and sways, adding fist pumps and emphasis at the lines "here's a HEALTH! to thee" and "thy high FAME! shall last". For the Missouri Waltz
Missouri Waltz
Missouri Waltz is the official state song of Missouri and is associated with the University of Missouri.-History of the song:The "Missouri Waltz," which had essentially been a minstrel song, became the state song under an act adopted by the General Assembly on June 30, 1949...
, the band plays the first half of the song as a slow waltz, with the supporters waving their arms to the beat. At the midpoint of the song, Marching Mizzou changes to cut time, playing the remainder of the song at a fast clip. These songs are traditionally repeated post-game and before the start of the fourth quarter, respectively. At the half, the bands' shows feature only several distinct formations, which the band remains in for a long period of time. Most of these formations based length-wise, and facing the west (alumni/boosters) end. During the game, the band sits in the south end of Faurot, and will often play short pieces or drum cadences during breaks in the action. Pre-recorded music is only used on defensive third downs or when the band is near the sidelines before halftime.
Marching Mizzou has a wide repertoire of songs, ranging from older marches to classic and modern rock and hip-hop. In addition to the school's songs, and a few band favorites. Halftime shows will normally organize themselves around a particular theme, ranging from specific musical styles or groups.
Normally at an early-season home game, Missouri holds "M2 Band Day", when high school marching bands from across the state are invited to practice and perform at halftime with M2. The songs for the performance are often kept simple, such as patriotic songs or popular marching-band tunes. The performance ends with the bands playing "Every True Son" and "Fight, Tigers".
Staff
- Dr. Brad Snow (Director of Athletic Bands)
- Dr. John Freeman (Assistant Director of Athletic Bands)
- Shannon Fry (Director of the Golden Girls)
- Brandt Crocker (The Voice of Marching Mizzou)
- Jeff Panhorst (Head Drum Major)
- Paul Heddings (Drum Major)
- Elliot Naes (Drum Major)
"Missouri Waltz"
As part of the pre-game show, Marching Mizzou forms a Block "M" and "waltz-steps" down the field while playing the first part of the "Missouri Waltz". During this portion of the song, the crowd will wave their arms back and forth to the beat of the song.At the "cut time" portion of the song, the band changes from "waltz step" to a high mark time "chair step" as they continue to float the "M" to mid-field. During this portion of the song, the crowd will enthusiastically clap along with the beat.
"Old Missouri"
As part of the pre-game show, Marching Mizzou forms the outline of the state of Missouri with the letters "MU" in the lower quadrant of the shape. In this formation Marching Mizzou plays the alma mater of the University of Missouri - Old Missouri"Flip Tigers"
As part of the pre-game show, Marching Mizzou forms straight lines while playing Every True Son. After chanting "Hit It! Hooray! Hurrah! Mizzou! Mizzou! Hooray! Hurrah! Mizzou! Mizzou! Hooray! Hurrah -- and a Bully for Ole Mizzou RAH! RAH! RAH! Mizzoooou-RAH! Mizzoooou-RAH! Mizzoooou-RAH! TIGERS!" The band forms the letters "MIZZOU" and plays Fight Tiger. After playing through Fight Tiger once there are eight counts of rim shots by the drumline as the band chants "T-I-G-E-R-S-TIGERS-GO!" while flipping to spell "TIGERS" which is then floated off the field to the South Endzone before breaking into the tunnel for the football players to run through.Events
In January 2001, Marching Mizzou traveled to Washington D.C. to perform in the inaugural parade for President George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
.
Bowl Game Appearances
Marching Mizzou has supported the Mizzou Tigers at 25 bowl games since the marching band was first founded. The most recent bowl game was the Insight Bowl, which was played on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona.2010 Insight Bowl
2009 Texas Bowl
2008 Alamo Bowl (2008 Season)
2008 Cotton Bowl (2007 Season)
2006 Sun Bowl
2005 Independence Bowl
2003 Independence Bowl
1998 Insight.com Bowl
1997 Holiday Bowl
1983 Holiday Bowl
1981 Tangerine Bowl
1980 Liberty Bowl
1979 While the Tigers football team played in the 1979 Hall of Fame Bowl, money was not available to send the full band, and Marching Mizzou chose not to attend the game with a reduced band.
1978 Liberty Bowl
1973 Sun Bowl
1972 Fiesta Bowl
1969 Orange Bowl
1968 Gator Bowl
1965 Sugar Bowl
1962 Bluebonnet Bowl
1960 Orange Bowl
1959 Orange Bowl
1949 Gator Bowl
1948 Gator Bowl
1945 Cotton Bowl
1941 Sugar Bowl
1939 Orange Bowl
1924 Christmas Festival
External links
- Official site
- http://atmizzou.missouri.edu/jul04/CoursesWithPizazz.htm