The first UCM band was formed during the 1899-1900 academic year and many other UCM bands have formed over the years. One notable band director includes Don Essig, who had a strong reputation with Vaudeville-style and circus music and whose collection of historical and novelty instruments form the Essig Musical Collection, which is housed both in the McClure Museum and University Archives and the Utt Music building
Another notable director was Clifton A. Burmeister, who created the University Fighting Song, Go Mules!. In 1969, under Dr. Russell Coleman, the Concert Band performed their first major off campus concert, setting the stage for future endeavors. Over the years, UCM Bands have played national sporting events, on live television and even at Carnegie Hall. In the last 125 years there have been 18 Directors (and Acting Directors) guiding the band.
The Festival of Champions began as the Missouri Music Bowl in 1978 and showcased the best high school bands from Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, and Illinois. The event now includes both a competitive and noncompetitive circuit for field shows, indoor percussion, and indoor color guard. This year marks the 44th anniversary of the festival which will be held this year on October 5th. Tickets can be purchased online.
To learn more about the UCM Bands, check out our two marching band displays located in the North Hallway and the Read and Relax area. These displays feature UCM Marching Mules history with archival images from the Rhetor yearbooks as well as a separate display of marching band related children’s toys, toy instruments and picture books from the James C. Kirkpatrick Special Collections. These displays will be up until the end of October.
Post contribution by Rebekah Mauschbaugh
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