Chippewa Marching Band

Chippewa Marching Band
School	Central Michigan University
Location	Mount Pleasant, MI
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Founded	1918
Director	James Batcheller
Members	280+
Uniform	Maroon jacket with black trim and gold "C" on left breast, black pants, black shoes, white gauntlets, white gloves, white spats (pregame only), black regiment helmet with gold eagle and trim, white plume, black beret (sousaphones)

The Chippewa Marching Band (also called the Marching Chips) is Central Michigan University's marching band.

Motto

The motto of the Marching Chippewas is Semper Superne Nitens - Concordia Ad Astra, which means Always striving upward - Together to the stars.

History

The band was one of the nation's first college marching bands to embrace the drum corps style that has since become the common practice of high school and university bands. And emphasis on musicianship, quality music arrangements, and visually coordinated field designs were all part of this initiative. In the 1960s, the band received some nationwide television coverage with their performances at Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions football games. Then, in 1974, the band traveled with the football team for the division II national championship game (The Camiellia Bowl) and received significant airtime for their halftime performance. That same year, the band was featured in the nationwide release of recordings of new marching band music from Charter Publications (which was sent to all high school and college band directors in the nation).

Jack Saunders served as assistant director from 1963–78, and as director of the Marching Chips from 1979-99. He was the master of drill design and field maneuvers, which he handled with great skill and accuracy. Prof. Saunders also was responsible for directing one of the concert bands, the jazz lab band, and teaching French horn. Following his retirement in 2000, be co-authored a book on band rehearsal. Unfortunately, his retired was brief as he died in 2005 following a brief illness.

For some "classic" Marching Chips video (1979–90), visit the following link: http://www.youtube.com/user/jphuber1959#p/u/8/zPS3aZfQiBY

Instrumentation

Unlike many college marching bands, the Chippewa Marching Band does not have a set number of members. Membership fluctuates from year to year, but generally stays between 200 and 300 members. The 2010 Chippewa Marching Band has about 285 members. The instrumentation also is typical of other university marching bands.

Organization

Director

The Director of the Chippewa Marching Band since 2000 is Dr. James Batcheller, Associate Director of Bands and CMU Alumnus. Batcheller was drum major of the Chippewa Marching Band as an undergraduate. After receiving a Master of Music degree from Florida State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma, Batcheller taught in Great Falls, Montana, and the University of Oklahoma before returning to Central in 2000. As well as directing the Marching Chips, Batcheller also conducts the CMU Wind Symphony, teaches the Introduction to Conducting and Instrumental Organization courses, and is the faculty advisor for the Lambda Tau chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and for the Nu Pi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Instructors, faculty, and staff

The Marching Chips also enjoy the musical assistance of Prof. John Williamson, director of university bands at CMU since 1979. Prof. Williamson is only the second person to hold is position in the last 63 years (the other having been Prof. Norman Dietz, who served in that role from 1949–79)

"The Voice of the Marching Chips"

The announcer for the Chippewa Marching band since 1972, Dr Richard K. Allen, affectionately called "Voice" by the members, announces the band during the pregame, halftime, and outside appearances. Dr. Allen retired as the Voice of the Marching Chips in 2009. He has since been replaced by public address announcer for CMU Athletics, Mr. Brian Weifrich. Weifrich serves as the public address announcer for CMU football, basketball, and the Marching Chips.

Drum majors

The Chippewa Marching Band has two drum majors, a Head Drum Major and an Assistant Drum Major. The term for a Head Drum Major is traditionally two years, although there is no mandate on how long a drum major can or must stay Head Drum Major. When the Head Drum Major graduates or resigns, the Assistant Drum Major is promoted to Head Drum Major and another Assistant Drum Major is chosen. Assistant Drum Majors are chosen by the Director after an application and audition process. At the audition, prospective drum majors demonstrate marching ability, whistle and vocal commands, conducting, and ability to lead the band in the pregame show. Current members and alumni are welcome to view the audition and give feedback to the Director.

The current drum majors are Senior Drum Major Corey Jahlas and Assistant Drum Major Julie Claveau.

Band managers

The Band Managers take care of many of the background tasks that allow the Chippewa Marching Band to function as efficiently as possible. These tasks include handing out and maintaining the uniforms and equipment, making sure the podiums and loudspeaker are ready before each rehearsal, and setting up chairs in Dietz Hall for band meetings and indoor rehearsals. The Band Manager position is a year-round position that assists with the concert bands, as well.

The current Band Managers are Shanique Broom and Kristen Zelenak.

Color Guard Captain

The Color Guard Captain is the section leader for the color guard and helps the color guard instructor in instructing the color guard.

The current Color Guard Captain is Amanda Sayre.

Section Leaders

Each section in the Chippewa Marching band has its own student leader, chosen by the director.

Rank Captains

Each rank is led by a Rank Captain, chosen by the director. Section leaders are typically the captain for their respective ranks.

Facilities

Jack Saunders Marching Band Field

The marching rehearsal field is named in honor of the band's director/assistant director/former drum major who retired in 2000 after a 38 year career at Central Michigan.

Norman C. Dietz Band Rehearsal Hall

The rehearsal hall is named in honor of the band's leader, "The Chief" from 1946-79. Prof. Dietz died peacefully on Tuesday, July 27, 2010.

Kelly/Shorts Stadium

The stadium seats 30,199 fans, and was built in 1973. It was renovated and expanded in time for the 1999 season.

Traditions

The Tree and the Rock and but two of the band's ceremonial traditions. For more information, visit the band's web site at: http://www.music.cmich.edu/about_the_school/ensembles/chippewa_marching_band/

References

• Chippewa Marching Band web site http://www.music.cmich.edu/about_the_school/ensembles/chippewa_marching_band/.