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The ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Marching Band (MUMB) dates back to the early 1900s when it was part of the Men’s Glee Club. It became an official university ensemble when A.D. Lekvold was appointed to the music faculty as its first director. He was director of bands from 1936 to the 1960′s. Their first uniforms consisted of white trousers, red capes, and red coats.

In 1951, Nicholas Poccia became a faculty member in the School of Music. He was responsible for private instruction for all brass instruments, taught music theory, and conducted the varsity band which met during the second semester of the school year. Around 1953, he began to volunteer his time and assist A.K. Lekvold with the marching band. At that time, the band was practicing where Reid Hall stands today, on East Quad; eventually they began practicing at McGuffey Field along the east side of Campus Ave. south of Spring St. They used to store their equipment in an old army barricks near Benton (Hall) Auditorium called Building Nine.

During the 50′s the band was 96 in number and would take two road trips a year; one to Bowling Green and one to Ohio University, and of course, if the traditional UC game was not played at home, they would travel to Cincinnati. 1955 was the beginning of Band Day; the first one consisted of 35-38 bands. It was around this time the Shakerettes, the drill team, and majorettes appeared.

Nicholas Poccia became director of the marching band in 1960. At that time, he had one or two graduate assistants. They moved everything into Hall Auditorium, and enlarged the band from 96 to 144 students. Surprisingly enough, over 200 people were involved in the marching band, and those who didn’t march were alternates. Competition for spots was intense. The band also received new uniforms consisting of red coats and gray trousers.

In 1968, the Center for Performing Arts opened and became the band’s home. Poccia and the department chair worked closely in designing the building. Once in the CPA, the marching band began to practice where we currently practice.

During this time the band would do a new pregame every weekend with the exception of spelling out ‘ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’ on the field. Each week they would learn 6 -7 new tunes, and believe it or not, they would face the student section for the majority of the show. The band would also do dancing and drill more similar to Ohio University’s Marching 110.

The late 60′s brought the marching band new uniforms consisting uniforms with a big ‘M’ on the front and an Indian on the back. In 1971, the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Marching Machine came into existence. The Marching Machine was built by Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma and was a birthday gift to Nick from the marching band. The Marching Machine was a tank-like structure placed over Dr. Clay’s (the Tuba instructor) VW bug, and it became the mascot of the band. It was always at the head of all the parades and even made an appearance at a Bengals game. Mr. Poccia and his wife were in the kitchen when they heard the sounds of the marching band coming down their street, and leading the way, was the Marching Machine. The Marching Machine remained an integral part of the marching band until 1979.

In 1978, Dr. Jack Liles was appointed director of the band. He made a significant impact on the style of marching the band would use. MUMB took on the “drum corps” style vs. the dance style of marching. Along with him, Mr. David “Dave” Shaffer joined the staff, first as a graduate assistant and later as the Assistant Director and staff arranger. The color guard and front ensemble were introduced to the band, keeping with current trends in marching bands around the nation. During Liles’ tenure, the band began to expand its performances to include exhibitions throughout the state and region including multiple appearances by the band at Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉús’ games. The 1980′s were a huge growth period for the band, not only in quantity, but quality. He expected the best, and he received the best. Gradually, the band reached a status of high demand for contests, festivals, and parades all over the Midwest.

In the spring of 1999, Mr. David Shaffer, our previous Assistant Director and Chief Composer/Arranger, was appointed director of the marching band. He was Chief Arranger during Liles’ 20 years with the marching band. In the early 90′s, he increased his involvement with the band and became the Assistant Director. His experience in public music education, composition, and arranging continued the excellent traditions of the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Marching Band. During his tenure as director, the Marching Band made its first appearance at the 2003 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and two Football Bowl games (2003 GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Alabama and 2004 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana).

In 2009, Dr. Stephen Lytle was appointed the fifth director of the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Marching Band. He previously served as an associate conductor with the Wind Symphony and the chamber music program at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and as the Acting Assistant Director of Bands at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was the music director of the 300 member Marching Tar Heels and Conductor of the Symphony Band. He also spent eleven years as a public school music teacher in North Carolina. He is an accomplished arranger with nearly three hundred titles and has written for many high schools and universities. In his short time, the band has performed with jazz legend, Benny Golson, has appeared at the 2010 Frozen Four, the 2010 MAC Football Championship, and the 2011 GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the 2013, the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade, and the 2016 St. Petersburg Bowl. He also served as conductor of the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Symphony Band and as Associate Conductor of the Fillmore Wind Program of Cincinnati.

Beginning in the fall of 2018, Dr. Brooke Johnson served as Assistant Professor and Director of Athletic Bands at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University. She oversaw all aspects of the Athletic Band program, taught courses in the music education curriculum and directed the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Marching Band and Symphony Band. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Delaware, her Master’s in Music Education and Conducting from Appalachian State University, and her Doctorate in Wind Conducting from the University of Kansas. She began her teaching career at Patuxent High School, in Lusby, Maryland, and served on the faculties of North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, and Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Under her direction, the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Marching Band performed at the Bands of America Super Regional Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana in October 2019.

Fall 2023 marks a new chapter in the band’s history, as Ryan Yahl, D.M. was hired to succeed Dr. Johnson. A native of Ohio, he grew up in Wapakoneta, and earned his bachelors and masters degrees in music education at Bowling Green State University. He later earned his doctorate in wind conducting from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He taught middle school and high school band for nine years in the state of Ohio, and served on the faculties of DePauw University, and Texas A&M University-Commerce, where for five years he worked as Assistant Director of Bands. Active in several professional organizations, he currently serves as Research Committee Chair for the American School Band Directors Association, and holds Lifetime Membership in Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Service Fraternity.

About the Director

Ryan Yahl, D.M. is a Visiting Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University. In his position, he oversees all aspects of the Athletic Band program, teaches courses in the music education curriculum and directs the ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University Marching Band and Symphony Band.

Joining the MUMB

For more information, please see the .