U-M Marching Band and “fight” song celebrate centennials

EDITORS: Black and white photos available on request. ANN ARBOR—With the opening of the 1998 football season, the University of Michigan’s Marching Band celebrates its 100th year of performances at home games. It was in 1898 that Louis Elbel wrote “The Victors” after a U-M football win in Chicago. Formed in 1844 with nine men, the Michigan

The Michigan band originated and was the first to perform the “Script Ohio,” honoring its opponent in a 1932 game at Columbus and was the first Big Ten band to travel to California for the Rose Bowl. The band marked the 50th anniversary of this event with a return trip to Pasadena in 1998 to cheer the U-M football team on to another National Championship. In 1898 the U-M’s football team won its first conference championship by scoring one more point than the Chicago Maroons, then the heaviest team in college football history. So impressed was Louis Elbel that after celebrating with other U-M fans in Chicago’s streets, he realized that U-M did not have the “right” celebration song. On the train back to Ann Arbor, Elbel took his original melody jottings and turned them into a big march. Happy with just writing the song, Elbel was persuaded by his brother in the music business that the song should be printed. An arrangement for 23 instruments resulted. The song’s premiere was in April 1899 and was conducted by no less than the March King himself, John Philip Sousa and his band who were appearing on the Ann Arbor campus. Two nights later, “The Victors” was performed by an orchestra at the U-M Minstrels concert. It was then that the words were sung for the first time in public. “The Victors” continues to be played worldwide, consistently ranked among the best and most recognized of college fight songs.   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!

For those with the capability to play .au sound files, a site where you can obtain files of “The Victors,” among other U-M songs”.

Marching BandFormed in 1844site where you can obtain files of “U-M News and Information ServicesUniversity of Michigan