Tiger Band

From ClemsonWiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Tiger Band is the Clemson University marching band, 300 members strong. In addition to instruments, Tiger Band also features visual ensembles including Tiger Guard, Tiger Dancers, Tiger Twirlers, and the Clemson University Feature Twirler(s). Tiger Band's current director is Dr. Mark Spede.

Tiger Band celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its naming at Homecoming during the football game against Duke on November 5, 2005.

An Alumni Band Reception was held on Friday, November 4, 2005 from 6 to 9 pm at the Colonnade in Littlejohn Coliseum. A number of former directors attended, and President Barker addressed the group at 6:15 p.m.

All former Tiger Band members were invited to perform with the Alumni Band. Music for Tiger Rag and the Orange Bowl March was provided, as if long-time members need sheet music for THAT tune. A drop-in pizza fest was held in the lobby of the Brooks Center following the game.

In March 2007, Tiger Band was recognized by College Bands Directors National Association (CBDNA), the premiere professional college band organization in the United States, as one of four schools to present a "live" on videotape performance at the bi-annual conference, held later this month at Ann Arbor, Michigan. This is a first-time opportunity in a newly-created category. Dr. Mark Spede selected the 2006 Rent half-time show as Tiger Band's best effort.

Trivia

  • On Sunday, November 18, 1962, Tiger Band was hitting the sights in Washington, D.C., following a 17-14 victory over Maryland the previous day, and the cadet-uniformed musicians (Tiger Band's last year in grey) were touring the White House when they were invited out to the Rose Garden, never suspecting that they were about to meet the President of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. When the Commander-in-Chief asked Tiger Band if they could play something for him, their instruments were not with them, so they sang the Alma Mater in sectional harmony for JFK. On November 24, 1962, Tiger Band performs for its last time in cadet grey uniforms at the South Carolina game.
  • On October 13, 1990, ranked fifteenth, the Tigers travel to the big city and play eighteenth-ranked Georgia Tech, with bad result, 19-21. The Jackets will go 11-0-1, and are 1st and 2nd in the final polls. DeChane Cameron makes Clemson assistant band director, Mark Greer, an instant celebrity with a pass well out of bounds. "CNN's Play of the Day and ESPN's catch of the week showed Greer, dressed in a suit and a tie, snare the pass on the track next to the stands. 'I had to dodge my companion, fade back and jump for it,' Greer said. 'It was a good throw.' Greer held the ball aloft as he high-stepped a quick circle. He then flipped the ball to an official before exchanging a high-five with someone nearby. Greer said he opted for the high-five because of his last catch, which came in the end zone when he has at Arizona State in 1985. 'I spiked the ball and got reprimanded by the referee,' he said. Cameron saw the catch and celebration on replay. 'I cussed him out,' he said with a laugh. It was Greer's second reception in 10 years but his first at Clemson." (McCallum, Mark R., "Tigers not cashing in on opportunities", The State, Columbia, S.C., Friday 19 October 1990, page 6-C.)
  • The Unhymnal is the Unofficial Songbook of the Clemson University Bands.

External Links