10 things to know about UDMB

Understanding the loud, proud tradition of the UD Marching Band

Megan M.F. Everhart August 23, 2024

Ask any member of the UD Marching Band—past or present—and they will likely agree with Gene Carlisle, AS61, a member of the first alumni band in 1970, who has returned to campus every year since to perform: "This is your extended family."

Or as alumna Danielle Jones, AS07, 12, puts it: The UDMB isn’t about band. I mean, of course it is. But it’s a safe place to grow up. It’s a safe place to learn and make mistakes. It’s a place to try. It’s a place to cry. It’s a place where we all figured out how to be human.”

In celebration of the loud, proud tradition of the UDMB, here are 10 fun facts to know about our favorite marching band.

1. Creating community

It’s not just about playing for—but connecting with—an audience. After each game’s halftime show, the percussion line spends time under the stands playing a mini concert for the crowd and showing children how their instruments work.

And during the third quarter of football games, the brass section "runs the stands," going up and down each section to hype the crowd.

2. Memorable performances

The band has traveled to perform numerous times (hello, inauguration of President Joe Biden, AS65, 04H). The farthest trek took them to Dublin in 2010 for the city’s first New Year’s Day parade. UDMB shared the experience with their sister band from UMass, and more than 500 people made the trip.

3. Hail to Thee, Proud Delaware

Every member of the UDMB must learn the University song.

“It’s one of many, many ways the band connects us to UD,” says band veteran Melissa Csengeto, AS06.

4. Keep it Moving

A single half-time show can incorporate up to 70 pages of drill. When combined with pre-game and post-game shows, that’s 100 different positions on the field for each band member to hit during12 minutes (or so) of music—more than eight positions per minute.

6. Hijinks Ensue

When UDMB starts rehearsing in August, students dress for soaring, 100+ degree temperatures. As the season progresses, an unofficial contest kicks off: Who can go the longest wearing only shorts to practice?

5. A Day Late and a Letter Short

Gene Carlisle, AS61, recounts that, in UDMB’s early years, the band was so small (it started with 35 members) that members couldn’t create the University logo at one time.

Band members first formed a “U” on the field, and then changed positions to create the “D.” It’s a far cry from today’s interlocked “UD” with marchers standing 2–3 deep.

7. Hungry Marchers

It takes more than 7,000 meals to feed students and staff during UDMB’s 10-day Band Camp every August.

8. Eyes... with Pride

This call-and-response exercise began as a checklist for standing at attention; now it’s developed into a post-performance tradition and honorable reminder.

Feet - Together

Stomach - In

Chest - Out

Shoulders - Back

Elbows - Frozen

Chin - Up

Eyes - With Pride

9. Watch where you walk

Stand at the corner of West Main Street and North College Avenue at 3:50 p.m. on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday in fall, and you’re likely to see a procession of instrument-wielding students headed to practice behind the Little Bob.

One year, the entire percussion bass line got jaywalking tickets because when the lead drum crossed against the light, the rest of the section followed.

10. The science factor

Trumpets, trombones and tubas are directional, meaning their sound comes right at the audience. When the players turn and face a different direction, the sound gets softer. Woodwinds like flutes and clarinets are omnidirectional, and their frequencies go everywhere in space, regardless of where the musicians are. This element—the physics of sound—is imperative for creating UDMB’s musical depth and dramatic moments.