The University of Idaho Marching Band knows the Kibbie Dome turf better than most — watching fans and students alike sing along as they’ve orchestrated the thundering acoustics to the Vandal Fight Song for the last 100 years and many more to come.
THE HISTORY
The UI Marching Band can trace its long history back to the earliest days of the university, beginning as a military band in the late 1800s. But it took many decades and band directors to take it from a military drum corps into the Sound of Idaho.
“It kind of began to evolve more into what you know now, and it was really in the ‘60s that the band exploded,” Band Director Spencer Martin said.
With Homecoming right around the corner, Martin said they plan to have all the band directors from the past 50 years return to help celebrate the centennial of Idaho’s longest continuously running college band.
Percussionist from 1973 in the UI Marching Band.
“We have a very special relationship with the students of the University of Idaho. In 1977 all three state universities — Idaho State, Boise State and University of Idaho — cut their marching programs,” Martin said.
But it did not end the legacy of UI’s marching band. The Associated Students of the University of Idaho joined together, voting to allocate a portion of student activity fees for the band’s use. While the other Idaho bands went dormant — the Vandals played on.
“We have never forgotten that in 40 years. And that’s the reason why we do all our shows —except for Homecoming — towards the student side — because it’s the students’ band,” Martin said.
FACES BEHIND THE INSTRUMENTS
Senior Lucus Jackson plays the trombone in UI’s Marching Band. His passion for joining the group at UI stemmed from high school.
“I watched them perform my junior year of high school and could immediately tell they were a fun band. They did a prop show with a bunch of chairs and all these extra dances. I could tell they were having fun and I wanted to be part of that,” Jackson said.
As he learned more about them, he kept coming back.
“The leaders here, within all the instrumental sections, Spencer Martin, and all of the staff really make this a great environment,” Jackson said.
Other students feel the same way as Jackson, coming from high school band, they were ready to take that next step in their music career.
“I did marching band in high school and I thought this would be a great way to make new friends and get an experience a little different from high school,” sophomore Maddie Jeans said.
The section leaders push them to do better, Jeans said, which she looks forward to at practice.
“It’s always so much fun coming and performing with everyone. Rehearsals are great,” Jeans said. “The section leaders really know how to push us to the next level.”
Students are involved with many extracurricular activities — like tenor saxophone player Andres Salidos, an ROTC member graduating this fall with a degree in psychology.
“In high school I did marching band, and I t.hought ‘hey, why not continue it.’ Salidos said. “When I got here, it was a much different experience than I expected or encountered back in high school. The marching band here, they’re a lot more dedicated, yet they have more fun at the same time.”
University of Idaho Marching Band’s drum line performs on Sept. 21.
Salidos said his favorite part of marching band is the combination of music and people.
“Previous experience playing an instrument is not a requirement for joining the band,” Martin said. “They will teach anyone who is willing to put in the time.”
For sophomore Cole Vanhorn, this rings especially true. He had never played an instrument before taking on the tuba this semester.
“My friends in the tuba section said it was really fun and I thought I would try it out,” Vanhorn said. “It’s difficult at times — definitely difficult. And it was overwhelming at first. The first day of band camp was a lot, because I don’t know how to read music. I’m just learning the basics and it’s actually really fun.”
THE ALUMNI
Every Homecoming since 2004, UI professor Barbara Kirchmeier has brought together the Vandal Alumni Marching Band (VAMB). The former students only appear during Homecoming week, marching separately from the band and accompanying them in the stands at the game.
Kirchmeier said VAMB was created to give marching band alumni the chance to relive the fellowship and excitement from their college experience.
“As someone who had been in the band since I was a sophomore, I didn’t want to think 2004 was the last chance I would have to be part of the Sound of Idaho,” Kirchmeier said.
Kirchmeier, working with past-director Torrey Lawrence, got the band back together. VAMB continues to grow with over 70 members.
“The alumni band is full of wonderful folks who really love being a part of the U of I community,” Kirchmeier said.
Story by Kali Nelson
Photos by Saydee Brass
Courtesy Photos provided by Shannon Kelly
Design by Hatim Eujayl