| Eastern Michigan University Marching Band | |
|---|---|
 The Eastern Michigan University Marching Band performing at the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl | |
| Nickname | The Pride of the Peninsula |
| School | Eastern Michigan University |
| Location | Ypsilanti, MI |
| Conference | Mid-American Conference |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Director | J. Nick Smith |
| Members | 192 |
| Fight song | "Eagles Fight Song" |
| Website | www |
The Eastern Michigan University Marching Band (The Pride of the Peninsula) serves as Eastern Michigan University's marching band.
The band was first formed in 1894, however the marching band was only a student-funded extra-curricular activity that performed in parades, concerts, and athletic events, it wasn't until 1924 that the band was officially recognized as an ensemble within the Normal Conservatory of Music due to the efforts of Normal Mathematics Professor J.F. Barnhill. Professor Barnhill brought Captain Wilfred Wilson, conductor of the Michigan Band, to the Ypsilanti campus as the first Director of the marching band. The first recorded mention of the “Huron Band” was on October 31, 1925, when 48 uniformed bandmen paraded the streets of Ypsilanti and later played at the Normal-Kalamazoo College football game. In 1964, Thomas Tyra was appointed director of bands at the university and in 1968, Max Plank joined the EMU Bands program as Tyra's assistant. Together they forged a lifelong collaboration and friendship that would result in significant growth of the EMU Bands program and its traditions. Tyra arranged the "Eagles Fight Song" for marching band, composed the team cheer "Go Green," and the "EMU Fanfare," all pregame traditionals that are played today.
Dr. J. Nick Smith serves as the current director of the Eastern Michigan Marching Band, who completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Band Conducting with emphasis in Choral Conducting at the University of Minnesota.
Past Directors of the Eastern Michigan Marching Band:
Two graduate assistants are assigned to work with the EMUMB; one specializing in brass, and the other in woodwind instruments. The graduate assistants lead large sectionals and conduct the band when needed. At times they assist the band staff in preparing for events such as Band Day, Picnic Day, etc.
The Eastern Michigan Marching Band typically has 2-3 drum majors. The drum majors main responsibilities are teaching marching fundamentals at band camp, leading warm-ups and stretches, heading the leadership team, and conducting the band on the field and in the stands.
The leadership team consists of the section leaders. Each section has at least one section leader who oversees the marching technique and musical aspect of their section. They often hold sectionals outside of rehearsals and make sure their section is prepared for all events.
At approximately quarter till kickoff, the band pours out of the tunnel to drum cadences. At the conclusion of the cadence the band plays the "EMU Fanfare" while announcer, Eric Braun introduces the director, twirler(s) and drum major(s). The band then plays the "Eagles Fight Song", and other traditional pregame elements such as "Go Green" and the Star Spangled Banner. A notable pregame feature is the "Floating E" down the field.
The "Eagles Fight Song" melody was composed by Larry Livingston in 1939 and arranged for marching band by Thomas Tyra. The percussion parts were written by Whitney Prince. The fight song underwent minor lyric changes when the university transitioned from the Hurons to the Eagles in 1991.
The Eastern Michigan University Alma Mater, "Our Pledge" was written by Edward Bowles in 1939 and arranged for marching band by Tyra. After each game and rehearsal, the band sings an SATB arrangement by Max Plank of the alma mater while linking arms.
Contingent upon the season schedule, the band will travel to away games and participate in other special performances. In recent years, The EMUMB has traveled with the football team to The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Penn State University, and Ford Field in Detroit. The EMU Marching Band has also performed at venues such as the Pontiac Silverdome and Ralph Wilson Stadium near Buffalo, NY. In 2008, The EMUMB performed in America's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Detroit, MI. In 2013, the marching band was featured on the nationally syndicated children's show, "Ariel, Zoey, & Eli, Too," on Detroit Public Television (WTVS). The episode features the EMUMB performing the television's theme song, "Sweet Company," filmed in the university's Rynearson Stadium. [1]
The Marching Knights are the official marching band of The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, USA. The Marching Knights are the largest and the most visible student organization at the University of Central Florida. They are known for their high-energy performances and unique drill designs. Their musical selections are also notable for including a variety of genres.
Ohio University Marching 110 is the official marching band of Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, founded in 1923. The nickname Marching 110 is a reference to the band's original number of members. The current band consists of ~225 members. It represents the university at various athletic functions and other events, including over 40 NFL halftime shows.
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The Eastern Michigan Eagles, formerly known as the Normalites and the Hurons, are the athletic teams for Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States. The Eagles compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as members of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The only exception is the women's rowing program, which is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association. Altogether, the Eagles have won three NCAA Division II national championships and 13 NAIA Division I national championships in five different sports ; moreover, EMU has been NCAA Division I national runner-up twice. In 1940, the men's cross country team finished second to Indiana University at the national meet hosted by Michigan State University.
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The Iowa State University Cyclone Marching Band is the marching band of Iowa State University. Composed of two ensembles, the Iowa State University Cyclone Football 'Varsity" Marching Band (ISUCF'V'MB) and State Storm, 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. Nicknamed the "Pride of Iowa State", the "Best of the Midwest", and the "Varsity Band," the band plays at high school band festivals, indoor concerts, and post-season bowl games.
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Thomas Tyra was an American composer, arranger, bandmaster, and music educator.
The Pride of Acadiana is the marching band at the University of Louisiana. The band plays pregame and halftime shows for all home games of the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football team.
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.
The Mountaineer Marching Band, known as The Pride of West Virginia, is the marching band of West Virginia University located in Morgantown, West Virginia. The band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy by the John Philip Sousa Foundation in 1997.
Southern Pride is the name for the marching band of Georgia Southern University located in Statesboro, Georgia.
The Falcon Marching Band, known also as the FMB, is the marching band of Bowling Green State University. It features a symphonic sound and Big Ten-style chair step marching. Under the direction of Jonathan “Jon” Waters, marching band is the largest student organization on campus. The band performs at all home football games, which are hosted in Doyt Perry Stadium as well as other various university functions.
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, halftime, and fifth-quarter shows at all Maryland Terrapins home football games, and travels to at least one away game each year.
The Central Michigan–Eastern Michigan football rivalry is an annual college football game between Central Michigan University (CMU) and Eastern Michigan University (EMU). The football series between the two universities dates back to 1902 and is the oldest rivalry in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), having begun five years before the Central Michigan–Western Michigan rivalry and six years before the Miami–Ohio rivalry. With 100 games having been played, it is also the most frequently-played series between MAC schools.
