Ten College Marching Bands You Need to See Before You Die

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Being a former member of a college marching band, I've been wanting to write this article for a long time.

Having seen so many bands over the years either in person, on TV, or on YouTube, I believe I am more than qualified to list the musical groups that are so essential to the college football experience.

So here is my list of ten marching bands at the collegiate level—not in any particular order—that are considered to be top-notch not only musically, but as far as the total entertainment package, which after all is what college marching bands should be about.

Let's start with the marching band of my alma mater, which I had the privilege of playing in during my college years.

UCLA

"The Solid Gold Sound", considered in music circles to be among the best marching bands in the country and an elite band on the West Coast (I know I sound biased here, but still...).

They were the first marching band among the West Coast schools to win the Sudler Trophy, presented yearly by the John Phillip Sousa Foundation to the best college band.

The big highlight of their program is their famous "Downfall of Troy" show. Done every four years, these marching Bruins reenact the story of Helen of Troy and the Trojan War, right down to the Trojan Horse raid, which is the climax of the show.

I'll allow one guess as to the school that this show portrays and makes fun of.

OHIO STATE

Also known as "TBDBITL"—The Best Damn Band In The Land.

This musical group of Buckeyes from Columbus is on this list for one reason: The dotting of the "I" by one of their senior tubas while doing their "Script Ohio" formation. It is considered a huge honor to be that dot, so much so that celebrities such as Bob Hope and Buckeye coaching legend Woody Hayes have stood on top of that "I" in Ohio, which has given Buckeye fans chills for decades.

TEXAS 

That "Eyes of Texas" fanfare that those Longhorns from the Lone Star State's flagship school plays before games gives me chills; if such is the case for me, imagine what it does to the burnt orange faithful in Austin.

And that "Big Bertha" bass drum, billed as the world's largest—though Purdue, who has a huge drum of their own, would dispute that—is really cool, too. Makes me want to give that "Hook 'Em Horns" sign every time I see it.

WASHINGTON 

This marching band from Seattle has always been one of my personal favorites in the Pac-10 Conference, although I reckon they're probably not too well-known outside of the Pacific Northwest.

I particularly like their "Bow Down To Washington" fight song and those chords that those Huskies play after every first down and score.

And incidentally, I loved the way Washington's football team beat USC earlier this season.

WISCONSIN

True, "On Wisconsin" is seen as one of America's most famous fight songs, but three words sum up why these musical Badgers from Madison are on this list, a ritual that they perform after every game that has become a sacred tradition at that institution: The Fifth Quarter.

Enough said.

SOUTHERN

One of three historically black colleges on this list; I couldn't possibly write an article about great college marching bands without giving some attention to these marching units that need to be seen to be believed.

"The Human Jukebox" from Baton Rouge, La. is so renowned, it was ranked as the number one collegiate marching band in the nation by USA Today at one time.

When I first saw them on TV a few years ago, they did this move, forming the halftime score on the field, that was absolutely mind-boggling.

From that point on, I never saw marching bands the same way again.

GRAMBLING

This rival of Southern's from northern Louisiana needs to be mentioned, as well.

The "Tiger Marching Band" has one historical distinction that no other band has: They played at the very first Super Bowl in 1967. If that's not a part of sports history, nothing is.

And their battle with Southern's band at the Bayou Classic, held in New Orleans every year and perhaps the most intense rivalry among the black colleges, is unbelievable—it is considered more important than the football game itself.

FLORIDA A & M

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