Mighty Sound of Maryland
Encyclopedia
The Mighty Sound of Maryland is the official 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 football
home games, and travels to at least one away game each year.
, 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. 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.
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 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, Dr. 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 shako
s 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.
In the Fall of 2008, the Maryland band program celebrated its 100th anniversary.
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.
played by the drumline
and choreographed by the band when in marching formation. Individual sections have different "lyrics" to the Truck.
Block and Mess is one of the signatures of the Mighty Sound of Maryland's pregame show. It involves all wind players sans tubas forming a block and then running through it at over 250 beats per minute.
The World's Largest Maryland State Flag is unfurled during the Crown Imperial finale of every pregame show. The flag, which measures about twenty yards, is accompanied by a cannon blast as it is opened.
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 Mello Cheer is performed by the band's mellophone
section. The section plays concert F quarter notes for as many points as the football team has scored while the rest of the band counts. For this reason, the cheer is usually only played when the Terps score a large amount of points.
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.
Following every victory, the band plays Battle Hymn from the film Gladiator before playing the school's Alma Mater.
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.
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...
of the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
. It was founded in 1908 at what was then known as the Maryland Agricultural College
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
.
The band performs pregame and halftime shows at all Maryland Terrapins football
Maryland Terrapins football
The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
home games, and travels to at least one away game each year.
History
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 BandUnited States Army Band
Founded in 1922, the United States Army Band – known as "Pershing's Own" – is the premier musical organization of the United States Army. Before 2002, the United States Army Band was the only Washington-based military band to have participated in a theater of foreign combat operations...
, 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
Byrd Stadium
Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium , is an outdoor athletic stadium on the campus of the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. It is the home of the Maryland Terrapins football and lacrosse teams, which compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, opened with a win over Navy
Navy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
, 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
University of Maryland School of Music
The University of Maryland School of Music is a music school located in College Park, Maryland outside of Washington, D.C. The School of Music is the largest performing arts unit at the University of Maryland, College Park.The UM School of Music is a comprehensive music school, with undergraduate...
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. 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.
In August 2000, the bands moved from their old home of Tawes Fine Arts Building
Tawes Theatre
The Tawes Fine Arts Building, also known as Tawes Theatre and Tawes Hall, is the home of the University of Maryland's Department of English and is the former home of the Department of Theatre and the School of Music...
into the brand new state of the art Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center is a performing arts complex on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park. The facility houses six performance venues; the UM School of Music; and the UM School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies. It also houses the Michelle Smith...
. 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, Dr. 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 shako
Shako
A shako is a tall, cylindrical military cap, usually with a peak or visor and sometimes tapered at the top...
s 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
Musicians' Village
Musicians' Village is a new neighborhood built around a music center where musicians can teach and perform. Musicians Harry Connick, Jr...
Project. While in Louisiana, the band also performed for Habitat for Humanity volunteers, at Gallier Hall
Gallier Hall
Gallier Hall is a historic building on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is the former New Orleans city hall, and continues in civic use....
for the mayor, and at the Krewe of Alla's Mardi Gras kickoff parade in Gretna, LA.
In the Fall of 2008, the Maryland band program celebrated its 100th anniversary.
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.
Songs
- Victory Song - Played every time the team scores, when the team runs onto the field, and at the end of the game. Often mistakenly referred to as the "Fight Song." Words and Music by Thornton W. Allen - 1928
- Stinger - A shorter version of the Victory Song played when there is not a lot of time, it includes the last line of the victory song with the Drumline Tag.
- Fight Song - Played when the opposing team scores. Words and Music by Ralph Davis - 1941
- Alma Mater - Words and Music by Robert Kinney - 1940
- Maryland, My MarylandMaryland, My Maryland"Maryland, My Maryland" is the official state song of the U.S. state of Maryland. The song is set to the tune of "Lauriger Horatius" and the lyrics are from a nine-stanza poem written by James Ryder Randall...
- Crown Imperial
- Freedom Fanfare and Battle Hymn of the Republic
- Mars, the Bringer of War - Played during kickoffs
- DuckTalesDuckTalesDuckTales is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. Based on Carl Barks' Uncle Scrooge comic book series, it premiered on September 18, 1987 and ended on November 28, 1990 with a total of four seasons and 100 episodes...
- Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesThe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a fictional team of four teenage anthropomorphic turtles, who were trained by their anthropomorphic rat sensei in the art of ninjutsu and named after four Renaissance artists...
- Take on MeTake on Me"Take on Me" is a song by the Norwegian pop band A-ha. Written by the band members, the song was produced by Alan Tarney for the group's first studio album Hunting High and Low, released in 1985...
- Seven Nation ArmySeven Nation Army"Seven Nation Army" is the first track on the album Elephant by American alternative rock band The White Stripes. It was released as a single in 2003. "Seven Nation Army" reached #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks for three weeks and won 2004's Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. The song is known for its...
Pregame
The Truck is a cadenceCadence
Cadence may refer to:Music:*Cadence , a melodic configuration the end of a phrase, section, or piece of music*Cadence Magazine, a monthly review of jazz, blues and improvised music...
played by the drumline
Drumline
A drumline is a section of percussion instruments usually played as part of a musical marching ensemble. High school and college marching bands, drill and drum corps, drum and bugle corps, indoor percussion ensembles, and pipe bands usually incorporate drumlines; however, drumlines can exist...
and choreographed by the band when in marching formation. Individual sections have different "lyrics" to the Truck.
Block and Mess is one of the signatures of the Mighty Sound of Maryland's pregame show. It involves all wind players sans tubas forming a block and then running through it at over 250 beats per minute.
The World's Largest Maryland State Flag is unfurled during the Crown Imperial finale of every pregame show. The flag, which measures about twenty yards, is accompanied by a cannon blast as it is opened.
Stands
The Bone Cheer is performed by KAOS, the tromboneTrombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
and baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
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
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
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
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
Messiah
Messiah (Handel)
Messiah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742, and received its London premiere nearly a year later...
.
The Mello Cheer is performed by the band's mellophone
Mellophone
The mellophone is a brass instrument that is typically used in place of the horn in marching bands or drum and bugle corps....
section. The section plays concert F quarter notes for as many points as the football team has scored while the rest of the band counts. For this reason, the cheer is usually only played when the Terps score a large amount of points.
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.
Following every victory, the band plays Battle Hymn from the film Gladiator before playing the school's Alma Mater.
Rock and Roll Part II
Rock and Roll (Gary Glitter song)
"Rock and Roll", also known as "The Hey Song", is a song performed by British glam rocker Gary Glitter that was released in 1972 as a single and on the album Glitter. Co-written by Glitter and Mike Leander, the song is in two parts: Part 1 is a vocal track reflecting on the history of the genre,...
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.