Anatomy of a Marching Band

CMB150 is back with a 5th Quarter of sorts: An interview with Dr. Christy Walker, lead author of the new book The HBCU Experience - The HBCU Band Alumni Edition, which tells the story of marching bands at Historically Black Colleges and Universities through the eyes of their alumni. CMB150 is a production of 80 Minutes of Regulation - the Cadence of Game Day. Visit 80minutesofregulation.com Twitter & Facebook: @80mins Instagram: @eightyminutes

Marching bands are part of the American culture, and can be found in everything from movies to popular music, parades, and even corporate events.  CMB150 is a production of 80 Minutes of Regulation - the Cadence of Game Day. Visit 80minutesofregulation.com Twitter & Facebook: @80mins Instagram: @eightyminutes

While some may see marching bands as a corollary function of football, bands have a culture all their own. CMB150 is a production of 80 Minutes of Regulation - the Cadence of Game Day. Visit 80minutesofregulation.com Twitter & Facebook: @80mins Instagram: @eightyminutes

With so many architects of marching band as we know it, it's difficult to single out any individuals. William P. Foster, longtime director of Florida A&M's Marching 100, stands out from the rest. CMB150 is a production of 80 Minutes of Regulation - the Cadence of Game Day. Visit 80minutesofregulation.com Twitter & Facebook: @80mins Instagram: @eightyminutes

The Sudler Trophy is the highest honor awarded to college marching bands. It is bands' version of the Heisman Trophy? CMB150 is a production of 80 Minutes of Regulation - the Cadence of Game Day. Visit 80minutesofregulation.com Twitter & Facebook: @80mins Instagram: @eightyminutes

On a recent work trip, I got the opportunity to check out the Professor William C. Moffit Collection at the University of Houston Library Archives. Bill Moffit was responsible for Patterns of Motion, which influences marching as we know it to this day. CMB150 is a production of 80 Minutes of Regulation - the Cadence of Game Day. Visit 80minutesofregulation.com Twitter & Facebook: @80mins Instagram: @eightyminutes

Marching bands have their own unique instrumentation that sets them apart from other bands and ensembles. Learn about the anatomy that makes a marching band its own distinct art form. CMB150 is a production of 80 Minutes of Regulation - the Cadence of Game Day. Visit 80minutesofregulation.com Twitter & Facebook: @80mins Instagram: @eightyminutes

Not unlike the football teams they support, marching bands have a variety of different styles. CMB150 is a production of 80 Minutes of Regulation - the Cadence of Game Day. Visit 80minutesofregulation.com Twitter & Facebook: @80mins Instagram: @eightyminutes

Fight songs serve as the anthems for their respective institutions, and are an irreplaceable part of game day. However they may differ in form and style, their function is the same - to unite the fans. CMB150 is a production of 80 Minutes of Regulation - the Cadence of Game Day. Visit 80minutesofregulation.com Twitter & Facebook: @80mins Instagram: @eightyminutes

The college marching band has been the soundtrack of college football since virtually the beginning. While its symbiotic relationship with football provides its broadest reach, the marching band is an art form all its own. CMB150 is a production of 80 Minutes of Regulation - the Cadence of Game Day. Visit 80minutesofregulation.com Twitter & Facebook: @80mins Instagram: @eightyminutes