The History of the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band: The Pride of the Southwest
The ASU Sun Devil Marching Band, also known as "The Pride of the Southwest," stands as a key ambassador for Arizona State University, embodying the spirit of the Maroon and Gold. Beyond its role as a musical ensemble, the band represents a family of dedicated individuals who come together to ignite school spirit and enhance the game-day experience. With a rich history spanning over a century, the band has achieved national recognition for its musical excellence, innovative performances, and unwavering commitment to tradition.
Founding and Early Years
The story of the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band begins on September 20, 1915, when the Arizona Board of Education officially approved the creation of the Tempe Bulldogs Marching Band. Spearheading this endeavor was Lillian Williams, who served as the band's director from 1915 to 1917. Demonstrating her commitment, Williams personally provided the band's instruments, uniforms, and a repertoire of standard classical music. However, the onset of World War I led to the discontinuation of the Bulldogs Marching Band. Williams' contributions were later honored at a 1947 concert by then-Sun Devil Marching Band director Felix E. McKernan.
The Bulldogs Marching Band was revived in 1929 under the short-term direction of John Paul Jones. In 1937, under the direction of Carl G. Hoyer, the band made its first bowl appearance at the Tournament of Roses Parade, securing second prize. Despite this achievement, Hoyer's tenure ended that year when Arizona Governor Benjamin Baker Moeur rejected his Arizona State Song in favor of the existing state song.
Growth and Transformation
During Dr. Robert G. Lyon's five-year tenure, the band expanded its repertoire with new parade and marching formations, as well as swing music. Felix E. McKernan's leadership brought about significant changes for both the band and the school. In 1946, the school's mascot was redesigned by former Disney illustrator Bert Anthony, transforming it from the Bulldog to Sparky, the Sun Devil. McKernan left his mark by composing the school's fight song, "Maroon & Gold," implementing script drill formations in pregame and halftime shows, holding auditions for instrumentation placement, offering scholarships to boost membership, recruiting high school band members, establishing Band Day, and formatting three weekly rehearsals. These initiatives laid the groundwork for the band's rapid growth.
Harold C. Hines, McKernan's successor, further enhanced the band's program by holding band camp a week before the Fall semester began, adding to pregame pageantry, implementing fireworks in 1957, playing an active role in Proposition 200 in 1958 for university status, and establishing the Alumni Band for Homecoming Games.
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A New Era of Excellence
August 1974 marked a turning point in the history of the Sun Devil Band program with the appointment of two new directors. Dr. Richard E. "Doc" Strange (1974-1999) assumed the role of Director of Bands, while Dr. Robert C. "Coach" Fleming (1974-2002) was appointed as assistant director of Bands, a position that was later elevated to associate director of Bands and is now designated Director of Athletic Bands. Together, Strange and Fleming introduced a new style of marching and a fresh philosophy to ASU's band program.
Under their guidance, the Marching Band gained national recognition by performing at the 1987 and 1997 Rose Bowl games and Tournament of Roses Parades. The band also performed at Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, the then Los Angeles Raiders and Los Angeles Rams professional football games, Phoenix Suns professional basketball games, SeaWorld, Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, Universal Studios, SeaWorld San Diego, on the deck of the Navy carrier USS Ranger (CV-61), and the 1990 Coca-Cola Bowl in Tokyo, Japan. Notably, during a San Francisco 49ers performance, the Sun Devil Marching Band's rendition of George Cory's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" impressed fans so much that the franchise commissioned a 1963 recording and continued to use it at 49ers home games.
Sudler Trophy and Continued Success
On November 9, 1991, the Sun Devil Marching Band achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Pac-10 marching band to receive the prestigious Sudler Trophy. This honor is awarded biennially to a college or university marching band that demonstrates the highest musical standards and innovative marching routines and ideas.
Leadership and Structure
The ASU Band program, encompassing the Marching, Pep, and Dixieland bands, operates within the Sun Devil Athletics department. The band is currently under the direction of Director of Athletic Bands James G. "The Hammer" Hudson, who assumed leadership in 2006.
Membership in the Sun Devil Marching Band is open to all university and community college students with prior high school or college marching band experience. Students seeking credit for their participation can enroll in the class. Non-degree students can also participate by applying to ASU as non-degree students or through an alternate registration route that allows them to participate without incurring full tuition costs.
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Musical Traditions and Performances
"Maroon & Gold," ASU's fight song, is a well-known tune for Sun Devils everywhere. However, it is not the only fight song associated with ASU. In 1940, during World War II, Fred Waring composed "Fight, Arizona State (March On, Arizona)" for the Arizona State College. This piece was rediscovered in 2015 by director James G. Hudson in the archives and arranged to be part of the pregame show during the band program's 100th anniversary. Another fight song, penned by former ASU President G. Homer Durham, was also written for the school but used sparingly.
The band performs not only during pregame and halftime shows but also in the stands, playing a mix of short and long tunes from various genres to maintain energy and excitement in the stadium.
Band Day
The first Band Day was held on December 4, 1948, in conjunction with the 1948 Homecoming. Since then, the ASU Sun Devil Marching Band hosts its Band Day at Sun Devil Stadium on the football team's road game or bye week. High school bands from across Arizona participate, performing for judges and their peers. With over 50 high school bands performing, followed by the Sun Devil Marching Band, Band Day has become the largest marching band competition in the state. The event includes a morning block for half of the bands to perform and a night block, known as the Sun Devil Showdown, for the remaining bands. In 2008, the top high school band, Mesa Mountain View Toro Band, won the first Dr. Robert "Coach" Fleming Outstanding Band Award in honor of the Sun Devil Marching Band's eleventh band director.
Travel and Appearances
The band has traveled extensively throughout the Pac-10 and beyond. Before 2009, the band made an annual trip to Los Angeles, California, for either the USC or UCLA games. The band continues to travel 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. For the 2018 season, the band traveled to San Diego State University for the ASU vs. SDSU game.
Uniforms
The Sun Devil Marching Band's uniforms have evolved over the years. Notable designs include:
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- 1954: Maroon Coats with Gold Overlay (Sparky embroidered center front), Maroon Pants with gold stripe, Maroon Shako hat with gold band top and bottom, Gold Plume, White shoes.
- 1972: The first custom-designed college band uniforms in the US, designed by the ASU College of Art and manufactured using a new wool/poly blend fabric specifically for use in hotter climates.
- 1986: Maroon pants with Gold/White button front jackets, with a shoulder-attached multicolored satin cape, the front in stripes of Maroon, Gold, Royal Blue, Turquoise, and Orange imitating the Arizona State Flag, the reverse solid gold satin.
In 2007, the band received a generous donation from Dr. Verde Dickey, which funded the purchase of a new set of uniforms for the band's 60th season. These uniforms feature white jackets fading into gold with a sunburst at the clip. In the middle of the sunburst is a mirror, representing the illumination of the sun and the bright personality of a Sun Devil. One arm of the jacket is maroon, while the other is gold. White gauntlets fastened with suns and white gloves using Velcro finish the sleeves. A cape with the ASU lettering is added 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.
Instrumentation and Sections
The marching band utilizes a wide range of instruments, divided into several sections:
- Drum Majors: Four Drum Majors conduct the band from the sideline, providing a central point for tempo and beat.
- Hornline: The hornline is divided into woodwinds and brass.
- Percussion Section: The percussion section includes a marching battery of drums and a stationary sideline pit. The Sun Devil Marching Band is one of the few college marching bands to field a pit. The bottom bass drum in the battery section was known as "thumper".
- Colorguard: Introduced in the 1975 season, the colorguard uses flags, rifles, sabers, props, and dance to visually represent the band's halftime performance.
- Feature Twirler: The Feature Twirler position offers a prestigious twirling opportunity, with nationally recognized twirlers performing during all Sun Devil Marching Band shows.
Additional Ensembles
Members of the Sun Devil Marching Band can also participate in the ASU Pep Band, which performs at all home Men's and Women's Basketball games at Wells Fargo Arena and travels annually to Seattle for the Women's Pac-12 tournament and Las Vegas for the Men's Pac-12 tournament. In addition, the Dixie Devils and Sparky's Sliders are part of the ASU Athletic Band family, specializing in traditional Dixieland music.
Traditions
The ASU Sun Devil Marching Band upholds several traditions:
- EGT (Expect Great Things): The band lives by the motto "Expect Great Things," symbolized by a sign with the acronym EGT hanging from the director's podium.
- Learning of the ‘Alma Mater’ and ‘Fight Song (Maroon and Gold)’: All band members are expected to know the "Fight Song" and "Alma Mater."
- Tuba Baptism: A time-honored tradition in Cady Fountain at the end of band camp.
- Pregame Concert: Before every game, the band performs on the southside steps of Desert Financial Arena.
- Pass-in-Review: The highlight of every marching season is the pass-in-review concert, where all shows from the season are performed in a stage setting.
- Explosion Block: The ASU explosion block is a trademark of the pregame show, where band members begin in a tightly clustered block and then explode in a series of lines running in several directions during a drum cadence.
Financial Support
Private financial support is essential for maintaining the Sun Devil Marching Band's high standards. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated, especially in light of budget reductions due to COVID-19.
The Sun Devil Marching Band Experience
The Sun Devil Marching Band offers a unique and rewarding collegiate experience. With approximately 400 members, the band fosters a sense of family and camaraderie. Students from various majors and backgrounds come together to share their passion for music and performance. The band's commitment to excellence and its vibrant spirit make it a vital part of the ASU community.
Joining the Band
Incoming students interested in joining the Sun Devil Marching Band can complete a Gold Form application. Placement auditions are held during band camp. Separate applications are required for Colorguard, Spirit Squad, and twirlers.
Past Directors
The Sun Devil Marching Band has been led by a series of dedicated directors:
- James G. Hudson, 2006-present
- Martin Province, 2002-05
- Dr. Robert C. “Coach” Fleming, 1974-01
- Dr. Kenneth O. Snapp, 1970-73
- William Mitchell 1969
- William H. Hill, 1966-69
- Harold C. Hines, 1952-65
- Felix E. McKernan, 1946-51
- Miles A. Dresskell, 1945
- Dr. Robert G. Lyon, 1938-43
- Carl G. Hoyer, 1937
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