PWI Marching Bands performing music by Black Artists


BulldogM.Ed.23

BulldogM.Ed.23

Bulldog Fan/Supporter
I am watching the Rose Bowl right now and am in awe with watching "The Ohio State's Marching Band" play EWF's Let's Groove. They sound good. It just seems strange. No I am not against it. I love it. I mean, back in the 80s, when HBCUs started playing "Neck" I never would have thought that it would be a regular routine among PWI marching bands as well.

It is all a testimony to the artists as well as the period and skill of recorded music performances from the 80s and 70s and beyond.

#randomthoughts
 
They all do it. And they've been doing it for 15 years. They don't mind copying each other so once one school saw how popular Neck was then they all started playing a version and eventually moved to top 40 songs. Penn St played Swag Surfin on repeat basically the entire second half. They even played FAMUs arrangement of Do What You Wanna. At this point I rather hear them play their traditional fight and spirit songs.
 



CEE DOG said:
A lot of it has to do with the black students who attend PWIs who grew up around HBCUs because their parents went and most marched in the bands. They didn't want to go to an HBCU so they try to take the culture to PWIs.
Click to expand...
sadly that's the closest they get to the programs

I saw two black directors at Penn State trying to bop their heads the other night to watered down arrangements lol
 
Penn State's head band director marched with Cookman. He's been there for probably 20 years now. He's been the head director since like 2015. I'm pretty sure I remember having discussions on message boards back then talking about him introducing more Top 40 music and probably even Neck. I don't know how history will remember him but he's had a significant influence on PWI band culture in regards to their stand presence.
 
yeah, several of these school have Black band directors who marched at HBCU's.
I ain't mad at them getting a LIL flavor for a change instead of that other tired stuff.

And some of those bands I actually do enjoy watching: Ohio State, Michigan,
USC, U of Wisconsin [check them out] ;)
 
It is widely acknowledged that many HBCU marching bands drew inspiration for their style and traditions from Big Ten marching bands, particularly incorporating elements like the "high step" movement while adding flair with more exaggerated motions and incorporating popular Black music into their repertoire. I never knew Ohio State had an all-brass marching band until this past Wednesday. I wonder if Dr. Greggs got the idea from an all-brass band from Ohio State.

I guess the best PWI marching bands are returning the favor and are now copying and playing music HBCUs are playing.
 
Last edited:
BulldogM.Ed.23 said:
I am watching the Rose Bowl right now and am in awe with watching "The Ohio State's Marching Band" play EWF's Let's Groove. They sound good. It just seems strange. No I am not against it. I love it. I mean, back in the 80s, when HBCUs started playing "Neck" I never would have thought that it would be a regular routine among PWI marching bands as well.

It is all a testimony to the artists as well as the period and skill of recorded music performances from the 80s and 70s and beyond.

#randomthoughts
Click to expand...
I was really shocked when i heard that halftime show from them. That EW&F sounded damn good.
 
Just about 10 years ago they started implementing ipads in show design. Every student gets one. They have a specialized app they use to learn shows. The director gave a clinic on it. It's really impressive. I wish we had access to that type of technology and money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top