The Syracuse University Marching Band is celebrating 125 years since 23 students gathered for its inaugural rehearsal at Crouse College in 1901. The Daily Orange reported that the ensemble has since grown into one of the university’s largest student organizations, with about 200 members from more than 80 majors.
Many members arrive without a focus on music. Sean Palmer, who joined in 1994 as an amateur trombone player, estimated that only 30-40% of his bandmates were studying music. Marc Harwitz, a 1997 political science alum who played snare drum, said the range of experience levels makes the group special.
The rehearsal schedule is demanding. Current members rehearse three times weekly, with added sessions during football weeks. Junior drummer Laurel Wozniak said she schedules practice time in a calendar and does homework beside friends after rehearsal. Former director of athletic bands Timothy Diem said the band now learns a new routine for nearly every game, compared with about three per season in earlier years.
Members also come from SUNY ESF, Le Moyne College, SUNY Oswego and Onondaga Community College. ESF senior trumpet player Jess Strausser said having a good marching band was a major factor in choosing her school.
The band welcomed women as majorettes in 1945, though women did not join as marching musicians until 1966. A 1977 music education alum, Tracy Leenman, said leadership culture lagged, noting that then-director Norbert Buskey passed over her for drum major despite her top audition score.
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