Marching bands treat fans to pageantry

One reward for college football fans who loyally attend games: The marching band.

Although they are a treat for the eyes and ears, band performances are usually covered up by television commercials. So, to view the spectacle, you have to be at the field. And what a spectacle it is.

Bands wow the fans with precision marching, blending music with moves, high stepping, gliding, or dancing to magically end up in patterns and words.

Most bands have some military influence in either uniform or march. This is partly because making 200 or more people end up in the right place takes military precision. And, it’s partly because of band origins. Most authorities say bands started in ancient times as loosely organized troupes of players and they evolved to give direction to soldiers on the field. After their use in battle became less important, bands served as symbols of power and pageantry.

Football gave bands a new field of play and, beginning in 1845 with the first marching band at Notre Dame, they have owned that territory.

Nearly every band today has signature moves, combining sentiment, dazzle, and fun.  For sentiment, try the University of West Virginia’s Mountaineer band’s presentation of Simple Gifts.

On the dazzle side, the University of Wisconsin satisfies with its 5th Quarter performance. For fun, the University of Texas Longhorn band performs marching magic then sits in the stands and smacks cowbells to distract the opposing team.

Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom combines contemporary music and dance with marching.

Joining a marching band is a commitment of talent and time. After a tryout that tests music and physical skills, members must practice 10 to 20 hours a week.