The Chippewa Marching Band

In Fall 1923, Music Department Head J. Harold Powers enlisted sixteen players and, with the assistance of Registrar and Dean of Men Charles C. Barnes as honorary Drum Major, formed a new Central Normal Band to lend spirit to Football Games. According to the Chippewa Yearbook that year:

The band helped immensely to add color to the games and to keep the spirit of the spectators, as well as the team, at a maximum. Let us hope that the band will continue to give added zest to the social and athletic endeavors of Central and that the bands of later years will continue to maintain the high standards set by the present organization of splendid musicians.

Into our second century

Looking forward to our 103rd season, the Chippewa Marching Band (CMB) has maintained a tradition of excellence and innovation, summarized in our motto, Concordia ad astra ("Together to the stars"). One of the most recognizable public faces of the university, the band is an invaluable collection of musical ambassadors for CMU. On the field each year are students from every college of the university representing over 100 academic programs. Join us for an exciting year in 2025!

2025 Band Day

The CMU School of Music is pleased to invite you and your students to join us for our seventy-first Band Day this fall. More information will be posted when the 2025 football schedule is announced. We hope you and your students can join us for a day of musical pageantry and Chippewa Football!