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University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands

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Template:CollegeMarchingBandInfoBox The University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands (often accompanied by the phrase The UC Band Is Damn Good or TUCBIDG) consists of three major bands: Marching Band, Pep Band, and Concert Band, and many smaller bands that support and represent the University of Cincinnati.

Instrumentation

Pre-game performance at Sigma Sigma Commons

The Marching Band and Concert Band usually consists of these numbers. The Pep Bands for Men's Basketball is divided into halves and the Women's Basketball games are divided into fourths.

The Flute–Piccolo section consists of 15 to 18 members.

The Clarinet section consists of 18 to 20 members.

The Saxophone section consists of 26 to 28 members.

The Trumpet section consists of around 25 members.

The Horn/Mellophone section consists of 10 to 12 members.

The Baritone section consists of 8 members.

The Trombone section consists of 12 to 14 members.

The Tuba section consists of 14 members.

The Percussion section consists of 7-10 Snares, 4-5 Tenor Drums, 5-7 varying size Bass Drums, 5 member Cymbal line, and 6 Front Ensemble.

The Color Guard consists of 25 members.

At any one time there may be 3 to 4 Feature Twirlers

There are traditionally anywhere from 2 to 5 Drum Majors.

Performance style

The band uses a Glide step when performing. The marching snare section uses Traditional Grip while playing. The Bearcat Marching Band is known for its contemporary approach to both music and drill design. Nearly 200 UC students come together to form the bands membership. This includes the all instrumentalists, the Bearcat Guard, Twirlers, and Drum Majors corps. [1]

Organization

The director of bands is Dr. Terren L. Frenz (since 1994). Assistant directors are Mr. David Martin (since 1999) and Mr. Nick Angelis (since 2005). The Band Announcer is Mr. Randy Smith (since 2002).

Student Leadership

There is also a band council[1] which consists of student members of the band. The council consists of a president, vice-president, corresponding secretary, recording secretary, treasurer, and historian. The council meets weekly and aids the band through such things as coordinating recruiting activities, organizing social events, editing and publishing the band's newsletter, collecting band dues, and maintaining the band's history and traditions. The council is also charged with the upkeep of the band's guiding document and constitution, The Words to Live By.

Other student organizations which support the UC Bearcat Bands are the Upsilon chapter[2] of Kappa Kappa Psi (National Honorary Band Fraternity) and the Theta chapter[3] of Tau Beta Sigma(National Honorary Sorority for members of the college band).

History

In the Fall of 1920, Mr. Ralph A. Van Wye, a student in the college of Engineering, had just returned to the University of Cincinnati after a tour of duty in the US Army during World War I as an Army Bandsmen. At the time, ROTC was compulsory for all male students at the University of Cincinnati. Since Mr. Van Wye had just completed two years of Army service, he did not feel obligated to continue as a member of ROTC on campus, requesting to have his requirement waived. However, when the Commandant saw that he was an Army Bandsmen, he told Mr. Van Wye that he was just the man they needed. They wanted to organize an ROTC band, but had no one available to serve as bandmaster. Rather than being excused from ROTC, Mr. Van Wye was appointed as bandmaster to the first University of Cincinnati ROTC band. That fall Mr. Ralph A. Van Wye held his first rehearsal in one of the laboratories in the College of Engineering. Eight members were in attendance.

Since its humble beginnings in 1920, the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Band has grown to feature 175 members across three major bands and numerous smaller ensembles. The UC Bearcat Band has had the honor of performing at numerous sporting events, including the 1975 World Series and 2009 Orange Bowl.

The UC Bearcat Band has seen 13 band directors.

  • 1920 - 1923: Mr. Ralph Van Wye
  • 1923 - 1929: Sgt. Victor Norling
  • 1929 - 1947: Mr. Merrill B. Van Pelt
  • 1947 - 1949: Mr. Clarence E. Mills
  • 1949 - 1954: Mr. Robert Hamilton
  • 1954 - 1970: Dr. Roy Robert Hornyak
  • 1970 - 1972: Dr. Robert Wojciak
  • 1972 - 1973: Mr. Harry McTerry
  • 1973 - 1977: Prof. Woodrow Hodges
  • 1977 - 1979: Prof. Glenn Richter
  • 1979 - 1993: Dr. Terence G. Milligan
  • 1993 - 1994: Mr. Matthew McInturf
  • 1994 - Present: Dr. Terren L. Frenz, Sr.

Auditions

Auditions are held for placement only. Anyone who wants to join is allowed to join.

Game Day Traditions

The UC Bearcat Marching Band storms down the steps of Nippert Stadium during a home game
  1. The Band allows no one to cut through the band while in formation.
  2. The Drum Majors conduct inspection of the uniforms before performing at football games.
  3. Each band member gives good-luck taps on other band members' chest.
  4. The Charge Down the Stadium Steps takes place during the Pre-Game performance. The Band stands at the top of Nippert Stadium and runs down the steps onto the field.
  5. The Sitting Hat Ripple which takes place after the band has entered the stands. The Drum Majors then give another signal for the hat ripple. The person at the appointed end of each row takes off their hat and everyone follows in order. This forms a sort of race between the rows.
  6. The Band never uses sheet music on the field.
  7. The Band plays the fight song and Alma Mater after each game.
  8. Hats are turned backwards after a win.

School Songs Played By The UC Marching and Pep Bands

  • "Army Fanfare"
  • "Cheer Cincinnati"
  • "Red and Black"
  • "Give A Cheer"
  • "UC Alma Mater"
  • "Dr. Who" (A Combination of the fanfare of "Cheer Cincinnati" and the "Hey Song")

Performances

File:UCbrass.jpeg
UC Brass section performs at the Orange Bowl

References

  1. ^ The Red and Black, 2008

Template:Big East Marching Bands

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