When did the first marching band start?

Question

Also, why did they start

Answer 1

Why did they start, to keep military troops in step on the march and to motivate and inspire the soldiers. That purpose still exists today in military marching bands. A later "why" is simply entertainment.

The first marching band of all time would have been very ancient indeed. It's not recorded but we know that the armies of early civilization marched to drums and horns.

Stone art work from the Assyrians and Babylonians (3000 BCE) show brass instrument players leading military processions.

The Romans (1000BCE) used musicians for communication in their military and are the originators of what we now know as bugle calls.

Fast forward to early America and as early as 1633 we have evidence of musicians being used in the militia. Drummers maintained the beat of cadence for the march. The first known military band in the colonies was 15 oboes and 2 drums in New Hampshire in 1653.

Fast forward again: The wind ensemble as we know it, probably originated from the popular music of the Sousa era (late 1800 - early 1900) and that (with influence of the military band) is what progressed into the school band movement that our marching bands are founded on. The 'Big Band' of the 30s and 40s also descended from this same popular band.

Some people believe that Purdue was the first college band to break traditional block formation and make a picture (large P) on the field during a football game in 1907. That would be the origin of the "show" we now know in half-time.

Notre Dame is generally accepted to be the oldest college band still in existence. They were present at Notre Dame's first football game in 1887. The US Military Academy at West Point had a band assigned much earlier but this wasn't a student band - it was (and is) an official Army Band and served a military purpose.

Hope this gives you a start on some interesting historical reading.

Answer 2

My understanding of the original marching bands, as we know them, came out of the usage of instruments used during warfare. The drum, bugle, and sometimes the fife were used as communication between the battalions- the troops all had to learn a set of calls played for their group, it could signal attack, retreat, flank right, bedtime, wake up call etc (each battalion had to memorize their calls, kind of like a playbook in football-you didn't want to attack if the call was retreat!)
By the American Civil War many of the men would bring their instruments along, and when marching from place to place the marching army would be entertained by the groups as they journeyed forward. It was after the Civil War that John Phillip Sousa really began to shape the service bands who continued to serve in the different branches, and dictate instrumentation. From there, the bands moved to the Army and Navy Academy collegiate groups and other colleges followed suit. It is considered an American art form, and has only caught on in a few other countries with the field shows like what we Americans are accustomed to at a football game/ competition.

Answer 3

Marching band is a cool experience. You will learn a lot of things, I learned discipline. Band Camp is really cool. It'll be long days but overall its worth it. Sometimes marching time will be the greatest things to do and some days you can't stand it. but all and all if you keep with it, at the end of the season you'll be glad that you did it. Ask a experienced marching band person if they can teach you the basics before camp. That way you can be a head of the beginners. Remember that the drum major is in control. Sometimes drum majors can become a bit bypolar but its easy to zone out. Fun things to do at band camp. (yeah the one time at band camp comes up a lot) If theres a person who can't shut their mouth, I've taped their hands on their mouth and then on top of that we locked them in the band locker. But we forgot the locker combination so we had to cut the lock. That was really funny We have a trailer where we keep the drum major stand, drum set and etc. Anyway some freshman were going into the trailer to get something, we closed up the door. It was really funny to hear them, freshmen can really cuss. If its hot enough outside, bring a egg and crack it on the pavement. Some important commands that if not done later in season will drive DM insane -When you are called to any command be loud. Remember in marching band your PROUD of what you do. -when called to attention, keep that position don't fiddle, you may not think its not noticeable but from the drum major's position its noticeable -Have FUN band people pull pranks be prepared

Answer 4

The Romans used giant brass war horns while marching into battle, I'm sure they weren't the first. Sometimes they were used for signals, may have been more to confuse the enemy, but probably wasn't origianally a musical accompaniment.

As militaries developed so did military bands. Throughout history, bagpipes, flutes (fifes), drums were used to keep cadence for troop movements.

Answer 5

The military has used a marching bugle core or drums throughout history, however a lot of the music for traditional marches was written by John Phillip Sousa.

Answer 6

Marching bands derived from the military. The horns and drums were used to communicate signals to the troops. It has evolved from there.

Answer 7

At the beginning of the parade route. They started because there was a float behind them ready to go.

Wasn't it the circuses marching through towns to "drum up" business?

Answer 8

Ours always starts at the top of the hill and then runs downhill till it reaches the downtown area or till the candy runs out.

Marching bands started with gypsies. They would bang those horrid tamborines and make all that racket till people came out and bought their stuff and had their palms read.

Answer 9

it started with war,they marched off to fight with a musical
accompany.