A Tradition-ish: the M Fanfare 'Fist'
One of the best (for me the best) moments of a Michigan Football Saturday is the entrance of the band and the M Fanfare.
There's something about the M Fanfare that always blows me back - the moment of silence prior to it, the sudden blast of the brass, and the rise into the Victors always brings tears to my eyes. I thought one of the cooler sights towards the end of my run as a student was seeing the student section hold up a single fist throughout the entirity of the Fanfare and simultaneously as the drum major completes his back bend the crowd begins to clap together "CLAP.... CLAP... CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP".
So, my question is: Why is the alumni and the rest of the stadium so slow to accept what would be an awesome sight. A unified fan base, raising a "HAIL" fist. Come on blue hairs, even you can get behind this!
In case nobody cares, my question to you: What's your favority Michigan tradition (other than winning).
Skip to 4:00 for the Fan fare. The whole thing is worth watching: The walk-up to stadium and probably the coolest and lowest flyover ever.August 20th, 2012 at 9:31 PM ^
An entrance from the 80's. I think the astroturf made the sound a little louder back in those days.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:26 PM ^
That sounds wayyyy louder
August 20th, 2012 at 10:48 PM ^
August 21st, 2012 at 12:24 AM ^
Thanks for the time machine.
August 24th, 2012 at 10:57 AM ^
First, thanks for pulling this clip!
As a member of that particular version of the MMB, I think the band was simply louder back then. It's something I've noticed in more recent years too. I know this is old man/get off my lawn time, but when we were in the band we wanted to be the toughest, most impressive MARCHING band in the country. We knew others were flashier and hipper, some cooler and more laid-back, and others likely more musical (the ones that didn't really march). But we considered ourselves step children of the music department and more closely aligned with the athletic department (this may still be the case today). Not that we didn't care about the music, but many of us took a certain glee in narrowly offending the music majors in our midst with our sometimes adversarial approach to the tunes.
When I hear - and see - the band now, I think they sound fantastic (when they can be heard) but that they march like a dreaded corps style drum and bugle group. Which: ugh. I love the band though and I know I sound like the alumni who would come to homecoming and say very similar things about our group (well, the marching part - not so much the volume part). And I probably am just as wrong to this generation's MMB and they were to me back then. Not saying we were "better" then - the new version gets their scores prepared much earlier in the season than we did (we often had a frustratingly slow rollout of Michigan classics over the first few games) - just louder. And marchier.
August 25th, 2012 at 3:32 PM ^
As another member of the 86 band (trombone section) I'd have to say the big difference is in the sustain of the notes. Longer notes (especially in the Victors but in most other things) make the sound carry better. Tone sounds better too. Most recent clips I've heard sound too punchy with no sustain/no sense of weight to the notes.
I'm not qualified to comment on the football formations but the finer points of bandsmanship, yes.
August 24th, 2012 at 12:52 PM ^
Is that some Take the Field Vol. 2 ?
August 26th, 2012 at 8:46 AM ^
...The 80s Rule, suckas.
While we're working on getting a louder band, how about some male cheerleaders who do tumbling and walk on their hands across the field? It seems that in the current iteration of the cheerleading squad, the men are essentially only asked to do lifts and that's a shame. Talk about the loss of tradition.
August 20th, 2012 at 11:11 PM ^
I don't ever recall seeing the foldout messed up like that before. What game was this?
August 20th, 2012 at 11:30 PM ^
Eastern Michigan, 2007. It was a debacle. And, of course, it was the one pregame BTN showed live nationwide that season.
A lot of things best left unsaid, really. It happened, we recovered, and it never happened again.
August 21st, 2012 at 9:00 AM ^
It happened to us in the 70's as well. George Cavender, the director would blow a whistle to let the drumline know to start the foldout caadence. Some douche in the crowd had a whistle that some of the drumline heard while others did not. Coupled with the fact that the entire band was not on the field, there was a foldout, restart, second foldout, then straggling into position. The procedure was replaced with a hand signal that was in place until the 07 Eastern game when part of the drumline didn't see the hand signal. Now, the first person in line (low end of the middle line of the M) signals with his/her arms out so the entire line can see.
The whole process is kind of interesting - the drum major actually kicks everything off by signaling to the director who turns and points to Carl Grapentine. The rest you know!
August 24th, 2012 at 11:50 AM ^
I had to watch the video twice to even understand what you all were talking about, and I doubt many without band knowledge even noticed the first time, particularly in person, because unless you're at midfield the angle would probably disguise it pretty well.
Hey, the football team doesn't go undefeated every season either.
August 20th, 2012 at 9:00 PM ^
August 20th, 2012 at 9:46 PM ^
I am thrilled an honored to be your favorite Michigan tradition. I will always strive to be a welcome member of the MGoBlogetariat.
In all seriousness, there's a reason I chose M Fanfare as my user name: A.) I used to play it for all of you guys on fall Saturdays and B.) it's a great piece of music. M Fanfare was originally written by long-time MMB arranger Jerry Bilik (also the arranger of Temptation and the Hawaiian War Chant) as an introductory piece for a symphony concert,a nd gradually made its way onto the football field in the '50s/60s. Bilik sometimes makes an appearance during the Homecoming festivities. If he does, be sure to give him an extra thunderous round of applause, as he has made an indelible mark on the musical and football traditions of our fine university.
August 20th, 2012 at 9:52 PM ^
I noticed this year that not even the whole student section takes part in this, maybe half of the students that are actually on time for the game.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:00 PM ^
Does anyone besides me have MMB songs on their ipod?
August 20th, 2012 at 10:11 PM ^
I have a couple of the basics. The Victors, Temptation, etc. Mostly just to hook up during games at home and play them so I feel more part of the game.
August 20th, 2012 at 11:05 PM ^
August 20th, 2012 at 11:13 PM ^
August 21st, 2012 at 2:05 PM ^
but what about a digital copy?!?!?
August 24th, 2012 at 11:22 AM ^
digital versions of the top 5 or so. I have them on my Galaxy.
August 24th, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
What??? You want a digital copy?? Be glad it is not only avalible on LP....oh yeah and get off my lawn!
August 20th, 2012 at 10:05 PM ^
My favorite tradition is playing the Yellow and Blue at least once during the season.
/checks last season
Shakes fist at the damn kids with their Twitter and RAWK MUZIK.
Seriously, I didn't hear the Yellow and Blue one time last fall. Maybe I missed it, but damn it, I hate new things.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:40 PM ^
The MMB plays it at the end of every postgame show, which happens at the end of every home game. Stick around, you won't be disappointed.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:44 PM ^
We play it after every game, problem is most of the fans are gone by then.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:17 AM ^
it was played at HC last year. But I could have been drunk.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:06 PM ^
I think it would be just a little bit better if everyone actually sang The Victors besides just clapping.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:28 PM ^
- I memorized the whole thing years ago for a bet. Can't remember it now.
- Now for a cheer they are here, triumphant!
- Here they come with banners flying,
- In stalwart step they're nighing,
- With shouts of vict'ry crying,
- We hurrah, hurrah, we greet you now, Hail!
- Far we their praises sing
- For the glory and fame they've bro't us
- Loud let the bells them ring
- For here they come with banners flying
- Far we their praises tell
- For the glory and fame they've bro't us
- Loud let the bells them ring
- For here they come with banners flying
- Here they come, Hurrah!
(chorus)
- Hail! to the victors valiant
- Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes
- Hail! Hail! to Michigan
- The leaders and best!
- Hail! to the victors valiant
- Hail! to the conqu'ring heroes
- Hail! Hail! to Michigan,
- The champions of the West!
(break strain)
- We cheer them again
- We cheer and cheer again
- For Michigan, we cheer for Michigan
- We cheer with might and main
- We cheer, cheer, cheer
- With might and main we cheer!
(chorus)
August 21st, 2012 at 1:39 AM ^
One of my MGoAmigos and I sing the whole version, as well as Varsity, at every game. The number of weird looks we get from people sitting around us is somewhat saddening. Having spirit doesn't mean crushing 10 beer bongs on the way to the stadium and making an ass of yourself.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:10 PM ^
I always tried to keep up on all of the student section chants and whatnot. But being on the opposite corner when I went to games it was difficult. I wish that I would have picked up on this one it sounds pretty legit.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:29 PM ^
Very nice. Although, it is fair to say you can remove the "ish" from your description. The M Fanfare is as much a part of the pre-game show as high-stepping out of the tunnel and the block M. Good stuff.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:42 PM ^
Sorry, "tradition-ish" was referring to the act of holding up your first during Fanfare.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:53 PM ^
My bad, I didn't see that until I came back to re-check the comments. I must have glossed right over it.
August 20th, 2012 at 10:42 PM ^
Still get shivers every time I hear the M Fanfare, and I last played it on the field over 20 years ago.
August 20th, 2012 at 11:02 PM ^
For me though, not *quite* 20. My last one was January 1, 1993. It is also one of the reasons we sit on the home side of the stadium.
I think of it as a wall of sound introducing the band and truly starting the gameday experience. The echoes of The Victors and the fact that it has endured as long as it has connect so many generations of fans and MMB alums.
August 20th, 2012 at 11:16 PM ^
I haven't missed a home game since 2009 and have never noticed the students do that, though it sounds like a cool thing to do.
August 20th, 2012 at 11:29 PM ^
I cried the first time I played the M Fanfare during the first rehearsal of my freshman year. It's the best.
As for the fist thing, meh, I guess if you think it's cool, do it. To my knowledge, it started with the Maize Rage and kind of migrated over to the other sports.
August 21st, 2012 at 2:16 PM ^
Since Bando has forgotten more about the MMB than I shall ever know, I am tucking this in under his post; for correction if neccessary.
But the fist-raising by the Band occurs during the entry quick-march, which is known as "Cadence."
The "M Fanfare" is slower introductory music, where the band is playing their instruments, and not waving fists.
August 26th, 2012 at 9:00 AM ^
He/We are referring to people in the stands raising their fist, not the band's entrance.
August 24th, 2012 at 11:28 AM ^
August 20th, 2012 at 11:30 PM ^
CSB: I played the M Fanfare many times in commencement band. If any of you graduated between 2006 and 2010 I probably played at one or another of your ceremonies.
Oddly enough, the School of Music does not get a band for its commencement ceremony.
August 21st, 2012 at 5:07 AM ^
even the brutality that is the "Michigan" locomotion/train cheer from homecoming games.
My favorite is when the band plays "Let's go blue!" towards all four sides of the stadium after they've taken the field. When they point towards my side, my voice becomes capable of extraordinary things.
August 21st, 2012 at 10:55 AM ^
...tradition-ish, not tradition. Things like Bullwinkle, Turn Me Loose, and the wave become traditions because they are easily translatable to the entire stadium. I had no earthly idea that the students hold up a fist during the M Fanfare anyhow because I'm so misty I can't see too well all the way across the field.
August 25th, 2012 at 8:35 PM ^
Heh. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets misty eyed when the band storms on to the field. Everything I love about Michigan Football just comes together in that one moment. I guess I have never said it, but to you current and former band members - THANKS!
On the other hand I was much amused last year at Illinois to see how their band "stormed" the field by wandering on to the field from the tunnel spaced out about 10 minutes apart in groups of 5 or 6. Some of them didn't even have their full uniforms in place and were dressing as they got to the 20 yard line. My dad turns to me and said," Baaaaaaand schlup onto the field!" I nearly horked up a lung.
August 24th, 2012 at 12:01 PM ^
What you're talking about....what exactly is it the student section is doing now? It's something I've never noticed. So I don't know it's so much "get off my lawn" as "huh, they're doing what?"
Anyone have any video of it that shows the students? Or a time in the video he's talking about? Is it just that spotty, random, not together fist pump when he finishes bending over? It just looks like a couple of guys going "yeah!"...
August 26th, 2012 at 2:44 PM ^