Boston College Marching Band

Last updated
The Boston College "Screaming Eagles" Marching Band
School Boston College
Location Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Conference ACC
Founded1919
DirectorDavid Healey
Members220
Fight song"For Boston"
Uniform
Maroon, White, and Gold
   

Instrumentalists: maroon and white jacket with white pants, white gloves, white Drillmasters, and a maroon and white shako with a white plume

Visual Teams: maroon leotard, skin-colored tights, dance shoes.

Contents

Website www.bc.edu/content/bc/offices/bands.html

The Boston College Marching Band (BCMB), also known as the Boston College "Screaming Eagles" Marching Band, is the marching band for the Boston College Eagles. Founded in 1919, The Band is the largest and most visible student organization at Boston College, and represents the school at home football games, most bowl games, international events, and parades. [1]

Band

The Boston College Marching Band has about 220 members and is under the direction of David Healey. The Band consists of the following sections: high brass, low brass, woodwinds, battery, front ensemble and dance team. Professional section instructors and student leaders oversee and facilitate all rehearsals and performances. While auditions are not required for instrumentalists, they are required for visual team members and the positions of assistant conductor as well as Drum Major.

While most members of the BCMB are students of Boston College, the Band also has a partner-school program, which incorporates a wide variety of students from Boston-based institutions. Prominent schools include Berklee College of Music, Emerson College, Emmanuel College, Northeastern University, Simmons College, Suffolk University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Wentworth Institute of Technology. All Boston area college students can join the Band. [2]

A Boston College Marching Band drum major conducting on the field Boston College Marching Band Drum Major.jpg
A Boston College Marching Band drum major conducting on the field

The Band performs two different half-time shows a year in the drum and bugle corps style of marching. These halftime shows, which are approximately 6 minutes in length, typically consist of 30-40 sets. The Band also performs in the stands during the game, electrifying the fans with a wide repertoire of music.

Music and performances

The Band performs at all home football games, parades in the Boston area, and away games each season, with the exception of 2009 (see below). Regular season destinations have included the University of Maryland, Clemson University, and the University of Southern California. Postseason travel has taken the Band to Jacksonville, Florida for the ACC Championship Game, Orlando, Florida for the Champs Sports Bowl, New York City for the Pinstripe Bowl, Shreveport, Louisiana for the Advocare v100 Bowl, Dublin, Ireland for the Emerald Isle Classic and Yokohama, Japan for the Yokohama Bowl.

In the 2010, 2011, and 2012 seasons, the Band traveled to Canada to perform a pre-game and halftime routine for the Montreal Alouettes. The Band has also had the opportunity to perform with the Boston Pops Orchestra at the annual Pops on the Heights concert.

Three hours before kickoff, the Boston College Marching Band parades through Lower Campus and leads the football team into Alumni Stadium. Afterward, The Band performs a short concert on the steps of Silvio O. Conte Forum.

Before the football game starts, the Marching Band performs "The Pre-Game Show." Pre-Game starts with a High-Brass Fanfare, performed by the Trumpets and Mellophones. The Band then prances out onto the field and performs a series of BC fight songs. First, the Band performs "Sons of Maroon and Gold", "All Up For Boston," and "Shipping Up To Boston." The Band then salutes the opposing team by playing their fight song. The Band then proudly performs the nation's oldest fight song "For Boston." During "For Boston," the Band forms the letters "BC" on the field, and during the final phrases, "italicizes" the letters to match the school's logo.

In the stands, the Band also plays a variety of music. After every first down, the Band plays a short, 4-bar fanfare similar to "Sweep Down the Field," another BC fight song. The Band also plays numerous cheers, such as "E-A-G-L-E-S," and "Booty Drop". Some songs the Band played during the 2012–13 season were:

The Band also performs versions of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" and The Foundations' "Build Me Up Buttercup," both of which have become traditions at Boston College.

Current staff of the band include: Brian Shanbrun-Woodwinds, Tim Leonelli-Low Brass, Mark Soo-High Brass, Simon Mazzoli-Percussion, Sanjay Pamaar-Percussion Assistant, Dan Salant-Front Ensemble, and Daria Healey-Dance Team.

Additionally, the Band has performed the national anthem at Fenway Park, and on June 16, 2009 the Band opened for Aerosmith and the Dropkick Murphys at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The Band also performed "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" live onstage with the Dropkick Murphys at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston on September 21, 2012.

The Band was also selected to perform at the Second inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington, DC on January 21, 2013.

Related Research Articles

"For Boston" is the traditional fight song of Boston College and Boston College High School. It was written and composed by T.J. Hurley, a member of the Boston College Class of 1885.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band</span> Marching band of Michigan State University

The Spartan Marching Band (SMB) is the marching band of Michigan State University. The band has over 300 members and was founded in 1870. Notable music educator Leonard Falcone directed the band from 1927 through 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sun Devil Marching Band</span> Marching band of Arizona State University

The Sun Devil Marching Band (SDMB), 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. The ASU Band program, which includes the Marching, Pep, and Dixieland bands, is a part of the Sun Devil Athletics department. The band is currently under the direction of Director of Athletic Bands James G. "The Hammer" Hudson, who took over the program in 2006. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marching Illini</span> Marching band of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The Marching Illini is the marching band of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The Marching Illini is an organization which annually includes approximately 400 students enrolled in the University of Illinois, and Parkland College. It was founded in 1867 and primarily performs at Illini football games as well as other events around campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band</span> College marching band in Evanston, Illinois

The Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band (NUMB) is the marching band at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. The ensemble performs at all home football games and periodically makes appearances at events in the Chicago area. The band also performs at any postseason football games and one "away trip" per season, typically a Big Ten Conference game in the later half of the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kansas State University Marching Band</span> College marching band in Manhattan, Kansas

The Kansas State University Marching Band, also known as "The Pride of Wildcat Land" or just The Pride, is a 375 piece marching band consisting of woodwinds, brass, percussion, color guard, dancers, and twirlers. It is the official band of Kansas State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marching Pride of North Alabama</span> Marching band of the University of North Alabama

The Marching Pride of North Alabama, is the official marching band of the University of North Alabama. The band, which is the largest organization on campus, performs at all North Alabama Lions football home games, as well as local parades and high school competition exhibitions across the state.

"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" is a song by the Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys, with lyrics written by folk singer Woody Guthrie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iowa State University Cyclone Marching Band</span> College marching band in Ames, Iowa

The Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity' Marching Band (ISUCF'V'MB) is the marching band of Iowa State University. Also known as the Cyclone Marching Band (CMB), it is nicknamed the "Pride of Iowa State", the "Best of the Midwest", and the "Varsity Band". The band performs in support of the Iowa State Cyclones football team at all home games and at some away games versus Big 12 Conference rivals. The band plays at high school band festivals, indoor concerts, and post-season bowl games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of South Florida Herd of Thunder</span> Collegiate athletic bands program

The Herd of Thunder is the name for the athletic bands of the University of South Florida, which includes the show band, "Rumble" pep band, and marching band ensembles, although it is often used to refer simply to the Marching Band. The Herd of Thunder was founded in 1999, two years after USF fielded its first football team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marching Jayhawks</span> University of Kansas marching band

The Marching Jayhawks, is a 380-piece marching band consisting of woodwinds, brass, percussion, and color guard, representing the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. The band performs at all home football games and occasionally travels to away games. They also send smaller ensembles to pep rallies around the Kansas City area. The band marches in parades on campus and in downtown Lawrence. The volleyball and basketball pep bands play at all home games and will often travel for post-season play.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louisiana State University Tiger Marching Band</span> Marching band of Louisiana State University

The Louisiana State University Tiger Marching Band is the marching band of Louisiana State University (LSU). The band has 370 members and performs at all LSU football home games, all bowl games, and away games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Band of the Fighting Irish</span> Marching band of the University of Notre Dame

The Band of the Fighting Irish is the marching band of the University of Notre Dame. Over 300 members of the band represent nearly every field of study, and include students from across the United States as well as from overseas. The Band of the Fighting Irish is composed of students from the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College, and Holy Cross College. Founded in 1845, it is the oldest university marching band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tulane University Marching Band</span> College marching band in New Orleans

The Tulane University Marching Band (TUMB) is the marching band of Tulane University. It performs at every Tulane Green Wave football home game in Yulman Stadium, bowl games, and some away games. It is also marches in New Orleans Mardi Gras parades each year, having appeared in Le Krewe d'Etat, the Krewe of Thoth, the Krewe of Bacchus, and the Krewe of Rex, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolina Band</span> Marching band of the University of South Carolina

The Carolina Band, or the Mighty Sound of the Southeast, is the official marching band of the University of South Carolina. With an average membership of 360, it is the largest ensemble associated with the university's School of Music. The marching band performs at all South Carolina Gamecocks football home games played at Williams-Brice Stadium, as well as neutral site games, bowl games, and all games against Clemson, where both the Carolina Band and Clemson's Tiger Band both perform at half time regardless of which school is hosting on a given year.

The "Pride of Mid-America" is the name of the Ball State University marching band. Consisting of around 200 members, it is the largest student organization at Ball State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Carolina University Pride of the Mountains Marching Band</span> College marching band in Cullowhee, North Carolina

The Pride of the Mountains Marching Band is the marching band which represents Western Carolina University. The band performs pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows at all Catamounts Football home games and routinely provides exhibition performances throughout the Southeast. Unlike most college marching bands, the Pride of the Mountains designs, creates, and performs one perfected halftime show other than doing different performances every week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Appalachian State University Marching Mountaineers</span> College marching band in Boone, North Carolina

The Marching Mountaineers, also known as North Carolina's Band of Distinction, is the 285 member marching band of Appalachian State University. Founded in 1933, the band performs at all home Mountaineer football games and travels to select away games each year. The Marching Mountaineers were a participant in the 2006 and 2014 London New Year's Day Parades. The Band of Distinction also marched in the 2011 Cabalgata de Reyes in Madrid, Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Michigan University Marching Band</span> College marching band in Ypsilanti, Michigan

The Eastern Michigan University Marching Band serves as Eastern Michigan University's marching band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clemson University Tiger Band</span> College marching band

The Clemson University Tiger Band serves as the Marching Band, Color Guard, Tiger Dancers and Tiger Twirlers of Clemson University. The marching band component of the band is made up of wind instruments, percussion, and auxiliary units, including the piccolo, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, and sousaphone. A drum line consisting of snares, basses, cymbals, tenors, and a front ensemble is used. To the thousands of fans, it is known as the Tiger Band, or better yet the "band that shakes the Southland". Composed of over 300 members, Tiger Band's mission is to provide inspiring spirit and entertainment to not only the university, but beyond.

References

  1. "Marching Band - BC Bands - Boston College".
  2. "Boston College Bands - Boston College". www.bc.edu. Archived from the original on 2014-10-18.

General references