The University of Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band: A History of Pride and Tradition
The University of Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band, known as the "Marching Red" or "The Pride of All Nebraska," stands as a symbol of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). As a part of the Glenn Korff School of Music within the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, the band carries a rich history dating back to its founding in 1879.
Early Years: Military Roots and Formation (1879-1937)
The origin of the band lies in the Morrill Act, which led to the creation of the University of Nebraska. The act stipulated that land-grant institutions should include military tactics in their curriculum. In October 1879, Lt. Isaac T. Webster took over the cadets, finding them accompanied by what the 1884 yearbook described as "the unreliable 'yip, yip' of some awkward scrub in the ranks, accompanied by deafening wails from a broken-voiced flute."
The month of April, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and eighty, was a cold one for the University and the city of Lincoln, as it witnessed the birth of the organization we now have under consideration. For years the cadets had limped painfully through the manual and the march with nothing to give rhythm to their movements except the unreliable “yip, yip” of some awkward scrub in the ranks, accompanied by deafening wails from a broken-voiced flute. On an evil day it was proposed that a brass band be organized. The idea intoxicated the authorities to such an extent that they determined to possess the luxury if it cost a farm. They heeded not the prayers and tears of the professors; they paid no attention to the threats and curses of the neighboring property owners. Scraping together a number of second hand instruments, they examined the lung power of the students, selected a dozen with the strongest breaths, turned over to them the brass and a Teutonic tooter, and told them to paint the town a lurid crimson if they so desired. The agony of the first three months of practice was frightful. The boys rehearsed regularly three times a week with so much success that before the term closed, two professors resigned, one died, and a student who roomed near the building was sent to the insane asylum. Then vacation, like a gentle spirit, descended upon the institution, and the uproar ceased. Panic stricken citizens who had been living in tents in the hoopskirts of the city returned to their homes, and Lincoln gradually resumed her wonted bustle and activity. But it was of short duration. Early in the fall the entire musical aggregation was on hand again, refreshed by the long rest and so anxious to show off that the boys would “discourse sweet music” free of charge, and when that was not allowed, would actually pay for the privilege. A committee of indignant citizens at once waited upon the Chancellor, and asked that the band be muzzled or required to practice out at the fair grounds. They were considerably mollified, however, on learning that Barnard, the bass drummer, had resigned, and finally agreed to let the matter rest if the boys would not give a concert as had been threatened. Later in the term, some prominent Lincolnites collected two hundred dollars, purchased a set of handsome gray uniforms and presented them to the band on condition that the donors would never be required to listen to any of its music. The later history of the organization is much the same as the foregoing; the only variation being in the quality of the alleged harmony, and the corresponding variation in the complaints of a patient and long-suffering public.
Cadet uniforms were expensive, costing between $14.50 and $20.25, and the promise of a free uniform attracted twelve cadets. In May 1882, the university paper, The Hesperian Student, reported that "The Cadet Band set all a roaring by coming on the scene in sober black suits, white ties and gloves and the tallest of 'stove-pipe' hats." To fill its ranks, the cadet band even recruited a high school student from Plattsmouth, Frank Wheeler, to join the ensemble for the day.
In 1892, under the direction of future American Expeditionary Forces commander John J. Pershing, the Band was required to march with the drills. Also in 1892, the first known African-American in the band, Private Charles Alexander from Red Oak, Iowa, played 1st Cornet in the Cadet Band and the University Orchestra.
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The band played at the first official football game on November 27, 1890. In 1898, inspired by the Chicago World's Fair, the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition was held in Omaha, Nebraska. The Cadets Go to the St. Louis World's Fair. "The University Cadet band will accompany the train and wake up old Missouri," proclaimed the May 27, 1904 Daily Nebraskan, describing an upcoming excursion to visit the St. Louis World's Fair.
In 1918, William T. Quick, known as "Billy," became the band's director, remaining in the position until 1937. November 1st, 1927, "The March King" John Philip Sousa and his band paid a visit to Lincoln, Nebraska for two much anticipated concerts on the newly updated Coliseum stage. His visit became a large event for the city of Lincoln. Over a dozen high school bands came to town for "band day" and paraded through the streets. The lucky bands took part in both concerts, "formed into one huge organization and directed by Sousa himself." The Daily Nebraskan reported that even the University of Kansas band planned to take part in the proceedings, playing Sousa marches during the concert intermissions. During his visit, Sousa presented the R.O.T.C. band with a silver "loving cup" trophy for the regiment's rating the previous year.
In March of 1932, the band got a little bigger through the addition of "Big Bertha," a five foot drum.
By the end of the 1920s the military garb of the marching band was beginning to detract from the band's performances. In 1935, The Daily Nebraskan published a scathing article comparing the "dull and colorless gray" Nebraska band with the "glittering" dress of the visiting University of Kansas band. By early 1936, spurred by the Kansas visit, it was announced that the military department would be purchasing new scarlet and cream uniforms.
The Lentz Era: Growth and Innovation (1937-1973)
When Billy Quick fell ill in the fall of 1937, Donald Lentz took over marching band duties. Lentz would continue as the marching band director for more than twenty years, and Director of Bands until 1973. Lentz made the musicality of the group his highest priority. Lentz was known nationally for formalizing "Band Day" as a large event for high school band members. He was also recognized for his study of Asian cultures and history. Lentz is also remembered through the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association's Donald A. Lentz Outstanding Bandmaster Award.
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On a blustery, snowy day in 1938, the first official Band Day for high school bands took place in Lincoln, Nebraska. When Donald Lentz became the director, he refined this existing event into a high school specific occasion. Early in its history, the massive scale of Band Day was one of its most appreciated qualities. By 1971, rising demand for seats and enhancements to the stadium made it difficult to host so many students even once a year.
"A red flag hung outside the office of Band Director Don Lentz early Saturday morning…it mean[t] that the athletic board had decided…to send the band to Pasadena on New Year's day," described The Daily Nebraskan on December 15, 1940. After weeks of uncertainty, the band was going to The Rose Bowl! On top of the expected challenges of traveling with a large group and performing in a series of events, the day the band left Lincoln Don Lentz received word that ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Arrangers, and Performers, was declaring a strike which would "go info effect on January 1st," Fortunately, ASCAP did not follow up on this performance despite the ban.
World War II brought with it many changes for the University of Nebraska as well as the band program. The 1944 yearbook explained that "…the armed forces drew heavily upon the personnel of the…band. This year for the first time in its history, coeds were permitted to march with the band…"
In 1961, Don Lentz became Director of Bands and his former student, Jack Snider, stepped into the role of Marching Band Director. In 1961, Big Bertha returned to aid the introduction of band twirler Joyce Burns. The Huskerettes were added to the band with 16 pom-pon girls in 1960-61.
The Snider Years: Navigating Change (1973-1975)
As difficult as it may have seemed to fill the shoes of the renowned Lentz, Snider became a legend of his own. Unafraid to forge his own path, in his very first season, Snider made changes to the style of music and the formations that the band was performing. Snider's time as Marching Band Director included some transformations which he did not instigate. Snider resisted the inclusion of women in the marching band, whose integration in 1972 was one of the largest changes in the marching band's history. Another shock to the marching band community in Nebraska during his tenure was the decline of Band Day under pressure from the Athletic Department, despite the best efforts of Snider and Lentz to preserve the tradition. Snider is remembered as a director who cared deeply about his students, and who spent considerable time and effort to support them.
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By the 1970s, women were pressuring the band program to allow them to join, threatening to lodge a discrimination complaint with the Faculty Senate Women's Rights Committee. Director Snider resisted, claiming a variety of reasons why the ensemble should remain all-male, including uniform sizing, physical demands, and increased expenses. The first years were likely not easy for the handful of women in the majority male band.
1974 brought with it the most impressive trip the band had ever yet attempted: 9 concerts across half a dozen European countries. After massive fundraising efforts by the band and alumni, the band set out to perform in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and visited Austria and England as well.
The Fought Era (1975)
In the fall of 1975, the band was under the charge of Dr. Robert Fought, who had big plans for the ensemble. He added 39 personnel to the band's membership, half of whom were members of a brand new flag corps. Dubbed "the ladies in red," the new group carried red and white banners which band staff member Rose Johnson recalls were attached to 8 foot poles. This expansion of the band was not altogether a smooth one; there was not room for them in the stadium.
Traditions and Achievements
Throughout its history, the Cornhusker Marching Band has established several traditions and achieved significant recognition.
- "Dear Old Nebraska U": Harry Pecha wrote "Dear Old Nebraska U" in 1923, and it became unofficially adopted as the school's first fight song.
- Band Day: Begun by John Selleck in the midst of the Great Depression, Band Day filled seats in a relatively new stadium desperately in need of an audience.
- Rose Bowl Performance: The band traveled to California to play for the 27th Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 1941.
- European Tour: In 1974, the band embarked on a European tour, performing in Switzerland, Germany, England, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
- Alumni Band: The first performance of the Alumni Band was on Sep-20, 1975, at the UNL vs. TCU football game.
- The Sudler Trophy:
The Flag Line
We can’t cover the history of flags in the Cornhusker Marching Band without mentioning the brief history of the Huskerettes in 1961-62. Although the Huskerettes were created to be a high-stepping dance team, much like the Rockettes, they occasionally incorporated large red flags during their halftime performances. In the fall of 1975, the band became under the charge of Dr. Robert Fought after Jack Snider stepped away from directing the marching band. “Doc” Fought added a brand-new flag and dance corps comprised of 16 members plus three alternates. Dubbed the “Ladies in Red,” the new group carried red and white banners attached to 8-foot poles with large, pointed tips on the top making them look like spears. The flags were not made of the lightweight silk fabric used today but were more of a canvas. Because of the size and weight of the flags, the corps wore white belts which contained a cup in the front in which the flagpoles were inserted while marching. Routines were minimal and mostly provided color while marching in formations. Over the years, the flag line continued to develop and change with the times. In 1988, the name changed from Flag Corps to the Flag Line to reflect the more modern style that was popular in competitive drum corps. More recently, rifles have been included into the military themed shows around Veteran’s Day. For over 40 years, the UNL Flag line consisted of only female performers; however, in 2013, freshman Sam Guyer became the first male to join the line.
Directors of the Cornhusker Marching Band
The Cornhusker Marching Band has been led by a number of dedicated directors throughout its history, each contributing to the band's legacy:
- Lt. Isaac T. Webster
- William T. "Billy" Quick (1918-1937)
- Donald Lentz (1937-1973)
- Jack Snider (1973-1975)
- Dr. Robert Fought (1975)
tags: #1975 #Nebraska #Marching #Band #history
