Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band

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Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band
The Pride of the Southwest
School Arizona State University
Location Tempe, AZ
Conference Pacific Ten Conference
Founded 1915
Director Mr. James G. Hudson
Members 330+
Uniform Maroon and white jackets with a mirror in the center of a sun on the front, black pants, maroon shakos with 14" white plumes, and white capes with the letters "ASU" in gold.

The Arizona State Sun Devil Marching Band (or ASUSDMB),known as The Pride of the Southwest, is the Athletic Band of Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. The ASU Band program, which includes the Marching and Pep bands, the Wind Ensemble and the Symphonic Band, is in the Katherine K. Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, School of Music. The band is currently under the direction of Director of Athletic Bands James G. Hudson, who took over the program in 2006.[1] 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.

Contents

[edit] Sun Devil Marching Band History

On September 20,1915, the Tempe Bulldogs Marching Band was founded by Mrs. Lillian Williams (1915-1917). The band's first bowl appearance was in 1937 for the Tournament of Roses Parade. In 1946, the school's, mascot was redesigned by former Disney illustrator, Bert Anthony, from the Bulldog to Sparky, the Sun Devil. The fall of 1947 saw the first official performance of the "Sun Devil Marching Band." August of 1974 initiated a new period in the history of the Sun Devil Band program with the hiring of two new directors. The two men brought a new style of marching and philosophy to ASU's band program. When Dr. Richard E. "Doc" Strange (1974-1999) became Director of Bands in 1974, the directorship was expanded to include an associate director. Dr. Robert C. "Coach" Fleming (1974-2002) became ASU's first Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands. The marching band has gained national recognition by performing at the 1987 and 1997 Rose Bowl Parades [2] [3]. Also to the band's credit are performances at Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Raiders professional football games, Phoenix Suns professional basketball games, Sea World, Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, Universal Studios, and the 1990 Coca-Cola Bowl in Tokyo, Japan. On November 9, 1991 the Sun Devil Marching Band became the first PAC-10 marching band receive the Sudler Trophy[4]. This great honor is awarded annually to a college or university marching band that has demonstrated the highest musical standards and innovative marching routines and ideas. Recently on February 3, 2008, the band was invited by the NFL, to be part of the pregame and halftime festivities of Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona.[5]

[edit] Motto

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.

[edit] Directors

  • Lillian Williams, 1915-17
  • John Paul Jones, 1929-30
  • Carl G. Hoyer, 1931-37
  • Dr. Robert G. Lyon, 1938-43
  • Miles A. Dresskell, 1945
  • Felix E. McKernan, 1946-51
  • Harold C. Hines, 1952-65
  • William H. Hill, 1966-69
  • William Mitchell 1969
  • Dr. Kenneth O. Snapp, 1970-73
  • Dr. Robert C. “Coach” Fleming, 1974-2001
  • Martin Province, 2002-2005
  • James G. Hudson, 2006-Present

[edit] Staff

The Sun Devil Marching Band employs several adjunct instructors, Graduate instructors, and student staff for each section of the band to assist in the teaching and administration of the band.

[edit] Membership

Membership in the Sun Devil Marching Band is open to all university students with previous high school or college marching band experience. Enrollment in Arizona State University is required in order to receive one credit hour for the class. Undergraduate music education majors in the School of Music are required to achieve 2 credit hours of marching band to fulfill School of Music requirements. Color Guard, Spirit Squad and Percussion have an additional class to add for one credit hour. Placement within sections is by audition held during Band Camp in August.

[edit] Band Camp

One week prior to the start of the Fall semester regular classes, the Sun Devil Marching holds its annual Band Camp. Attending camp is crucial in order to join the band. Recently Band Camp has been modified with the addition of Arizona State University Athletics new indoor practice field known as, the Devil Dome or "The Bubble", on 6th Street and Rural Road where the old band field resided. New relocation of band field is right behind Alberta B. Farrington Softball Stadium. With "The Bubble" the band has the opportunity to avoid the Arizona dry heat during the day when the Bubble is not occupied by the football team. Camp is also held at Gammage Auditorium for indoor rehearsals and gatherings. Traditionally the Sousaphone players have a custom of welcoming their new members known as "Tuba Baptism" in the Cady Fountain. This camp involves extensive marching and playing exercises designed to introduce new members to the Sun Devil Marching Band style and "warm-up" old members. The pre-game show, the first half-time show, and much of the season's show music (at a minimum) is rehearsed during this camp. Other camp activities involve instrument, uniform, and music checkout, part placement auditions, and get-acquainted orientation social functions.

[edit] Rehearsal

During the Fall semester the band meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm. Color guard, Percussion, Spirit Squad run separate rehearsals after from 6:00pm-7:00pm on Mondays and Wednesdays and full band in the morning of game day.[6]Practices are used to learn, perfect and improve the many shows the band member will have to learn. Attendance to every rehearsal is mandatory unless excused ahead of time by the director. After every Friday rehearsal the whole band joins in arms to sing the Alma Mater.

[edit] Game Day

The Sun Devil Marching Band starts off game day with a short morning rehearsal to go over pre-game and halftime material. Two hours before the game starts, Devil Walk, a fairly new tradition where the band performs welcoming fans and the football team as they arrive to Sun Devil Stadium. After warming up on the steps of Wells Fargo Arena the band performs standstill Pregame and Halftime show excerpts. The band then marches around Sun Devil Stadium en route to the North Gate in preparation of Pregame. Pregame starts with the battery entering the field from the Northeast Entrance performing their drum cadence, "Big Game." Towards the end of the cadence the rest of the band then storms on to the field into formation performing Pregame Fanfare, Maroon & Gold, "Go Go Sun Devils" also known as The Al Davis Fight Song, God Bless the USA, National Anthem, and Arizona State University Alma Mater. Then the band goes into what is called the "Explosion Block" which later leads to the band forming a "Pitchfork" at the South Endzone for the Sun Devil players to go through as they make their way to the field during football team's introduction. The band then exits the field and makes their way to Section 19 which is reserved for band to perform stand tunes to support the football team and rile up the student section and fans. The band then returns to the field at Halftime for a performance. For a season, the band performs up to 4 to 5 Halftime shows depending on how many home games are scheduled. During the third quarter, a selected group of band members known as the traveling band plays for many seating areas within the stadium for an up close experience for fans to enjoy. This group can be seen sprinting through concession areas between stops at seating areas.

[edit] The Fight Song

Maroon & Gold, ASU’s fight song, is a familiar tune for Sun Devils all over the country, but ASU may be one of the few universities in the nation to boast two fight songs. In the 1940s, band director Dr. Albert Davis wrote a series of songs, and one became known as the “Al Davis Fight Song.” It first had no official title and no words, till it recently was named "Go Go Devils". Although Davis retired in the 1950s, to this day, the Sun Devil Marching Band continues to play the Al Davis Fight Song in their pregame performance as the Sun Devils come out of the tunnel onto the field, and occasionally makes up humorous lyrics to the wordless song.

[edit] Homecoming Game

On the morning of the Homecoming Game, the band can be seen featured in the Homecoming Parade marching down University Drive. Homecoming also welcomes back Sun Devil Marching Band alums as they follow a previous band tradition warming up in front of the Student Service Building. They also get re-acquainted with Frank Kush Field performing Pregame Fanfare and Maroon and Gold. The alumni band then sits at the Northwest corner of Sun Devil Stadium to perform stand tunes.

[edit] Special Appearance Performances

In 2006, the band started a new tradition bringing in guest appearances of nationally and world renowned recording artists for halftime performances.

[edit] Arizona State University Band Day

Every year, the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band hosts its Band Day at Sun Devil Stadium. High school bands from all over the state of Arizona come to play for judges and their peers. About 50+ high school bands perform, followed by the Sun Devil Marching Band. There is a morning block for one half of the bands to perform and a night block known as Sun Devil Showdown of the rest of the bands to perform which makes Band Day an all-day event. Thus making ASU Band Day the biggest marching band competition in the state.

[edit] Pass in Review

At the end of every marching season the band performs Pregame and all Halftime shows headlining the "Pass in Review" concert with ASU Concert Band and ASU Wind Ensembles in Gammage Auditorium. A compact disc recording of the Sun Devil Marching Band performance at Pass in Review is available through Sun Devil Marching Band Merchandise Website. Pass in Review also takes time to recognize band members who will not be returning the following year by allowing them to lead in a rendition of Maroon & Gold.

[edit] Trips

The band has traveled all over the PAC-10. It makes an annual trip to Los Angeles, California for either the USC or UCLA games, and it travels bi-annually to Tucson, Arizona to play against rival University of Arizona. They also follow the football team to any bowl game that they get invited to if funding is available.

[edit] Bowl game appearances

[edit] Uniforms

In 2007, a very generous donor, Dr. Verde Dickey, funded the purchase of a new set of uniforms for the Sun Devil Marching Band. These new uniforms consist of white jackets fading into gold with a sunburst at the clip. In the middle of the sunburst is a mirror which represents the illumination of not only the sun, but also the bright personality a Sun Devil reflects. The arms of the jacket are black, with white gauntlets fastened with suns, and white gloves using Velcro. A cape with the ASU lettering is added to the ensemble as a throwback to capes worn by the band in years past. The pants are purely black, rising to about chest level with the aid of suspenders. Black Viper marching shoes will be used paired with equally black socks.[10] [11]

[edit] Instrumentation

The marching band uses many different instruments of varying range and sound in its ranks. Providing a central point to tempo and beat by conducting on the sideline the band are the three Drum Majors. The hornline is divided into two major groups: woodwinds and brass. In addition to the hornline the band also uses a percussion section that is divided into a marching battery of drums and a stationary pit. With presence of a pit as part of the percussion section, it makes the Sun Devil Devil Marching Band one of the few college marching bands to field a pit. The other PAC-10 marching band currently fielding a pit is, the Oregon Marching Band.

[edit] 2009 Drum Majors

  • James Clemmons
  • Jonathan Saturay
  • Greg Mills

[edit] Hornline

Hornline is sponsored by Jupiter Band Instruments[12].

Brass

  • Trumpets
  • Mellophones
  • Trombones
  • Bass Trombones
  • Euphoniums
  • Baritones
  • Sousaphones

Woodwinds

  • Piccolos
  • Clarinets
  • Alto Saxophones
  • Tenor Saxophones

[edit] Percussion

Percussion is sponsored by Mapex Drums and Majestic Percussion[13], Pro-Mark Drumsticks[14], Remo, and Avedis Zildjian Company.

Battery

  • Snares
  • Tenors
  • Bass Drums
  • Cymbals

Front Ensemble

  • Marimbas (Two Marimba players are designated dual roles; one playing Xylophone and other playing Glockenspiel)
  • Vibraphones (One Vibraphone player designated dual role of playing Crotales)
  • Timpani
  • Miscellaneous Percussion Instruments
  • Drum Set
  • Electric Guitar
  • Synthesizer
    [15]

[edit] Auxiliary

Outside of the music producing sections of the band are the Sun Devil Spirit Squad/ Dance Team, Featured Twirlers, and the Colorguard, all in charge of providing a visually stimulating color and movement to the band in addition to the bands show forms and design.[16]

[edit] Colorguard

One of the most visible aspects of the Sun Devil Marching Band. Presenting the visual story of the band's halftime performance through the uses of flags, rifles, sabers, props, and dance. Colorguard members get a "corps-style" choreography and benefit from the instruction by some of the field's leaders. The colorguard program is also partnered with The Academy World Class Winterguard and holds auditions in the fall for the next active winter season. The Academy Winterguard competes locally in the WGAZ circuit as well as WGI regional events culminating at the Winterguard International Championship held in Dayton, Ohio.

[17]

[edit] Spirit Squad/ Dance Team

As a visible representative and ambassador of the university's athletics. The Spirit Squad/ Dance Team devotes 15-20 hours every week to rehearsals, Football games (home and away), Men's and Women's Basketball games, special appearances, clinics, competitions, and various special events.

[18]

[edit] Pep Band

Members of the Marching Band are allowed to participate in the ASU Pep Band, which plays at all home Men's and Women's Basketball games at Wells Fargo Arena and travels annually to San Jose, California for the Women's PAC-10 tournament and to Los Angeles, California for the Men's PAC-10 tournament. They also follow the teams to any NCAA and NIT tournaments they qualify for.[19]

[edit] Dixie Devils

In addition the Dixie Devils are the newest member of the ASU Athletic Band family. This group, under the direction of world renown and ASU School of Music Professor Sam Pilafian. A traditional six-piece Dixieland Combo that specializes in Early Jazz, Ragtime, and Swing Music, focusing primarily on the music of Louis Armstrong, Bix Biederbecke, King Oliver, and Freddie Keppard. The Dixie Devils can be seen at all Sun Devil home football games, select basketball and baseball games and are available for all functions, Commercial or Private. [20]

[edit] Service organizations

[edit] Kappa Kappa Psi (ΚΚΨ) - Beta Omicron Chapter

The ASU Band is served by the Beta Omicron chapter[21] of Kappa Kappa Psi. Pursuant with purposes of Kappa Kappa Psi, the Beta Omicron chapter works to serve the ASU Bands by assisting the director of bands in developing the leadership and enthusiasm that is required of his/her band. Goals are to provide the band not only with organized and concentrated service activities, but to give our membership valid and wholesome experiences in organization, leadership and social contacts.

The honorary nature of membership is based on premise that “it is an honor to be selected to serve” the band, its department of music, its sponsoring institution and the cause of band music in the nation's colleges and universities.[22]

The ASU Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi was founded on November 13, 1949. Since that time, Beta Omicron has been awarded the Founder's Trophy twice (1985 and 2003), the F. Lee Bowling Participation Award once (1993), recognized as a "Top Chapter" 11 times, and served as a host site for the National Convention twice (1993 and 2009). Beta Omicron has also hosted the Western District Convention once (1989) and the Western District Leadership Conference twice (1999 and 2008).

[edit] Discography

  • 2007 Pass in Review
  • 2006 Pass in Review
  • 2005 Pass in Review
  • 2004 Pass in Review
  • 2003 Pass in Review
  • 2002 Pass in Review
  • 2001 Pass in Review
  • 2000 Pass in Review
  • 1999 Pass in Review
  • 25 Years of Pride 1974-1998 (Two Disc Set)
  • 1998 Pass in Review
  • 1997 Pass in Review
  • 1996 Pass in Review (very limited issue)
  • 1995 Pass in Review

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ http://music.asu.edu/faculty/selectOne.php?ID=309&
  2. ^ http://www.tournamentofroses.com/photogallery/RBGtimeline/1980sb.htm
  3. ^ http://www.tournamentofroses.com/photogallery/RBGtimeline/1990sb.htm
  4. ^ http://www.sousafoundation.org/
  5. ^ http://music.asu.edu/sundevilband/history/
  6. ^ http://music.asu.edu/sundevilband/prospective/
  7. ^ http://arizonastate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=708677
  8. ^ http://arizonastate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=708677
  9. ^ http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/102589
  10. ^ http://arizonastate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=708677
  11. ^ http://asuwebdevilarchive.asu.edu/issues/2007/09/04/news/701560
  12. ^ http://www.jupitermusic.com/jbi_news_details.aspx?id=76
  13. ^ http://usa.mapexdrums.com/news/news_story.asp?ID=161
  14. ^ http://www.promark-stix.com/endorsers/endorser.cfm?endorser_id=74a50a37-a1af-49a7-9a0c-c29ea0d372b2
  15. ^ http://music.asu.edu/sundevilband/drumline.php
  16. ^ http://music.asu.edu/sundevilband/featuretwirler.php
  17. ^ http://music.asu.edu/sundevilband/colorguard.php
  18. ^ http://music.asu.edu/sundevilband/danceteam.php
  19. ^ http://music.asu.edu/sundevilband/basketballbands.php
  20. ^ http://music.asu.edu/sundevilband/dixiedevils.php
  21. ^ http://www.herecomesbo.org
  22. ^ http://music.asu.edu/sundevilband/kappa.php

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Iowa		 Sudler Trophy Recipient
1991		 Succeeded by
Northwestern
v • d • e
Arizona State University
Campuses
Colleges
Schools
Athletics
Media
Buildings
Other
A Mountain • The Pitchfork/Trident hand gesture • Sparky the Sun Devil • Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band • Palm Walk • Frank Kush • Fraternities and sororities
Principals/Presidents
v • d • e
Marching bands of the Pacific-10 Conference
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