Michigan Marching Band

From the Official MMB Website mmb.music.umich.edu

The Michigan Marching Band (or MMB) is University of Michigan's Marching Band. In the finest tradition of 19th-century Americana, the origin of the Michigan Marching Band was a grass roots student effort. In November 1896, the University of Michigan Band held its first rehearsal. At the behest of University President James Burrill Angell that the newly-formed band prove itself to be a "sincere venture," the U-M Band gave its first public performance in 1897 at old University Hall for the Law School's annual observance of Washington's birthday. The first appearance on a football field was in the fall of 1898.

For over 100 years, the Michigan Marching Band has thrilled thousands of fans with exciting performances that have made this one of the great college bands in the country. That tradition of excellence thrives today as the MMB continues its pursuit of the highest levels of visual and musical performance as it "takes the field" at the Big House in Ann Arbor.

The Michigan Marching Band represent almost every academic unit at the University, including LS&A (52%), Engineering (34%), Music (4%), Architecture & Urban Planning, Art and Design, Business, Dentistry, Education, Kinesiology, Medicine, Natural Resources & Environment, Nursing, and Pharmacy.

Instrumentation

The Michigan Marching Band performance block instrumentation:

Auditions

From the Official MMB Website mmb.music.umich.edu

All incoming students will be asked to complete an audition on the third day of their scheduled Summer Orientation. Every person who auditions will receive an email on July 30th with the results of their audition. Students who have been accepted to the Michigan Marching Band based on this audition will be expected to report for Band Week in August.

If orientation date is after the end of July, contact Revelli Hall for audition information.

chromatic scale of at least two octaves - demonstrate range
1 minute of prepared music - solo or etudes that have contrasting style - legato, lyrical piece; faster, more technical piece
prepared music may come from the same piece or two different pieces - demonstrate beauty of tone, phrasing & musicality, and technical ability

All students new to the program should plan on attending band week.

Percussion, Flag and Twirlers

All are invited to Revelli Hall on the third day of their Summer Orientation for a tour and video presentation. - Percussionists should contact Revelli Hall prior to Orientation; camps are held monthly throughout summer. Drumline will be determined during Band Week.

Flag auditions are held during Band Week after routine is learned.
Twirlers must schedule an audition prior to August 1st.

Expectations of Members

From the Official MMB Website mmb.music.umich.edu

Practice Schedule

Monday-Friday 4:45-6:15PM, Saturday mornings before home games
Maintain a physical regimen to prepare for a demanding season
Maintain a practice regimen to sharpen technical and musical skills

Performance Schedule

New performance for all 7 home games
Travel to at least one conference away game, and potential bowl appearance
Band-O-Rama
Crisler Concert

Enrollment and Cost

Enroll for two credits
DIVISION: ENS 672, COURSE: 348, SECTION: 001, HOURS 2

Organization

Director

From the Official MMB Website mmb.music.umich.edu

Jamie L. Nix joined the School of Music faculty in the summer of 2001, serving as Associate Director of Bands, Director of the Michigan Marching Band and the Donald R. Shepherd Assistant Professor of Conducting at the University of Michigan. Professor Nix oversees the Marching and Athletic Band program, conducts the Men's Basketball Band, teaches Marching Band Techniques, and is frequently a guest conductor of several ensembles in the School of Music, including the Symphony Band and Concert Band. A student of H. Robert Reynolds and H. Dennis Smith, Nix received Master of Music degrees in Wind Conducting and Trombone Performance from the University of Michigan in 1999, where he was principal trombone in the Symphony Band, University Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary Directions Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, and served as a graduate student instructor for the University Bands, Michigan Marching Band, Campus Band, University Band and the Hockey Pep Band.

Professor Nix returned to his alma mater following a two-year appointment as Assistant to the Director of Bands under Jerry F. Junkin at The University of Texas at Austin. Nix was Assistant Director of the Longhorn Marching Band, conductor of the Basketball Bands, and performed as guest conductor of the University of Texas Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band and Trombone Choir, in addition to his duties as conductor of the Longhorn Concert Band and Jazz Band.

A native of Alabama, Nix holds a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Auburn University. As an undergraduate, he was a member of the Faculty Brass Quintet, won the Auburn University Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and was awarded the Renard Performance Award for "Outstanding Performer of the Year".

Active in the area of arranging, Nix has written halftime shows and pep band music for several major universities and high schools across the nation. He has also served as a clinician and adjudicator in Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Texas and Alabama. Professor Nix holds professional memberships in College Band Directors National Association, Big Ten Band Directors Association, Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (honorary member),Texas Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and in 2005 was inducted as an honorary member of the Michigan chapter of Tau Beta Sigma.

Assistant Director

From the Official MMB Website mmb.music.umich.edu

G. Scott Bersaglia is in his first year as Assistant Director of Marching and Athletic Bands at the University of Michigan School of Music. In addition to his duties as Assistant Director of the Michigan Marching Band, he also conducts the Michigan Hockey Band, the Campus and University Bands, and is a frequent guest conductor in the School of Music.

Mr. Bersaglia is the Founder, Music Director and Conductor of the Sacred Winds Ensemble, a professional wind ensemble based in Hazard, KY. Since 2000, the ensemble has commissioned and premiered 12 works for wind ensemble and has been heralded for its innovative programming and thought-provoking performances.

Mr. Bersaglia earned a Master of Music degree in Wind Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin under Jerry Junkin. During his appointment, he served as a Graduate Conducting Assistant for the band program, guest conductor with the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band, Chamber Winds, and Longhorn Bands as well as conductor of the Concert Band. While in Austin Mr. Bersaglia also served as Orchestra Director of Hyde Park Baptist Church.

Prior to his appointment at UT, Mr. Bersaglia was Director of Bands at South Laurel High School in London, KY, initiating the school’s first commissioning project and chamber players program, as well as presenting ensemble master classes and conducting symposiums throughout the state of Kentucky.

A native of Kentucky, Mr. Bersaglia holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Morehead State University. He is a member of several professional organizations including the College Band Directors National Association and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Drum Major

The Michigan Marching Band has one drum major for the entire 350+ member ensemble Auditions are held in a two phase process. The first phase is held in front of the MMB staff. The second phase is held on the last day of classes for the winter term and the final vote is decided by the current members of the MMB.

Section Leaders

Section leaders are the head of their section and are responsible for the music performance.

Rank Leaders

Rank Leaders are in charge of marching position and style of 10 members on the field. They are given full drill charts to ensure that their rank members are in formation. Rank Leaders are voted on at the end band week by staff.

History

See Michigan Marching Band History

Notes and Facts

At the Michigan-Ohio State University football game in 1932, the University of Michigan Band created the first "script Ohio" -- predating a similar formation now made famous by the OSU Band.
The Michigan Marching Band was the first Big Ten band to perform in a Rose Bowl game in Pasadena, California (January 1, 1948) and has appeared there fifteen additional times.
The Michigan Marching Band was the first band to appear in both Yankee Stadium and the Rose Bowl in the same season (1950), thus earning the nickname "The Transcontinental Marching Band."
The Michigan Marching Band was the first big 10 band to perform for an NFL Super Bowl game (Super Bowl VII, Los Angeles, 1973). The band also performed for Super Bowl XVI at the Pontiac Silverdome (1982).
One of the many highlights of each season is be the Homecoming game. As many as 350 Band Alumni are expected to return to the gridiron for their annual "Blast from the Past."
On January 1, 1983, the Michigan Marching Band became the first recipient of the Louis Sudler National Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy. The Sudler Trophy is awarded annually to a college marching band of particular excellence. The trophy was the idea of Louis Sudler, a Chicago realtor and vice-chairman of the John Phillip Sousa Foundation. The selection of the Michigan Band as the first recipient was made through a ballot sent to 700 college marching band directors, as well as sportswriters and television commentators. The final selection was made by a panel of twenty marching band directors from around the country.

Memorable Appearances

18 Rose Bowl Games
3 Citrus Bowl
2 Super Bowls
2 Gator Bowls
2 Holiday Bowls
2 Hall of Fame Bowls
2 Outback Bowls
2 Orange Bowls
2 Alamo Bowls
Fiesta Bowl
1984 World Series
Live with Regis and Kathy Lee
A Bob Hope Special
ABC's Good Morning America
ABC's Monday Night Football
NBC's Today Show

External Links

Official website