Indiana University Marching Hundred

Surfing the web the other night I came across a video of the Indiana University Marching 100 from November 19, 1955. I played clarinet in this band. The game was at Memorial Stadium against IU’s great rival Purdue University, ah yes, I do remember the Golden Girl from Purdue. Anyway, it was quite a treat seeing this video and recalling moments from those days. I knew we were a great marching band, but I never saw how we looked from the stadium, until I saw this video posted on YouTube. My how times have changed.



In 1955, only men played in the Marching Hundred. As I recall there was a first that year in using women as baton twirlers. As a Music Major I was required to be in the band, although I would probably have joined regardless. I liked being part of the activity of the university, and especially playing in the band. I also played in a volunteer pep band for Hoosier basketball games. We had two uniforms: a new one--the one you see in the video, and an older one, with a cool cape, we used for the pep band.

Our entrance into Memorial Stadium can be seen in the video, but not as clearly as I remember. Herald trumpeters lined the top row as the band quick stepped down the aisles onto the playing field. After a spectacular beginning, we maintained a lively pace with dance steps and precise formulations that transformed into pictograms that required dedicated rehearsal. Some of the results can be seen in both the pre-game and half-time shows. There is no sound, but I can still hear the strains of “Indiana, My Indiana.”

Among the memorable moments for me was playing at Ohio State before a crowd of 80,000 people, and at Notre Dame during its glory years. A special moment for me came at Notre Dame as I started marching out on the field. I heard my name called from the stands. Our neighbor from across the street, a high school classmate, was attending ND and his father was a grad. When I turned to the stands, I saw my classmate’s mother and father, smiling and waving. I had great respect for them, and their recognition made me proud.

I enjoyed the Saturday morning preparations on campus. Cool, crisp, Fall days at Indiana University brought excitement to the air as alumni gathered, students were out for a break from studying, Big 10 Football was about to be played, and I knew many of the players on the team. Most of all, I loved being a part of the collegiate atmosphere by playing in the Marching Hundred.