Band History and General Information
When the BMB took the field at Carson Park in the Fall of 2000 no one could have predicted the great things that were to come.
Growth
In the Fall of 2000, a modest 60-member, mostly student-run organization has evolved into a dynamic 425+ member collegiate marching band that travels and performs on the world stage. During its first years, the group struggled to build numbers but a major image transformation in 2003 suddenly started a massive enrollment boom which continues to push its boundaries even today.
Size
With an enrollment of 425+ members, the Blugold Marching Band is the largest and one of the most active marching bands in the Country. Regular performances include shows at Blugold home football games, contest exhibitions, NFL shows, and many other selected events. Enrollment is competitive and is achieved starting with an application on this website.
Style
BMB has developed a new, more energetic form of marching that combines the precision and artistry of drum and bugle corps with the high energy level and style of some of the great show bands of the south. This new style continues to evolve and results in a powerful and exciting show that is sure to enliven any crowd.
“The BMB has provided me with lifelong friendships and connections. I’m able to share the experiences that the BMB provides with the people around me which creates a strong group bond. I also have been provited with unique experiences, such as writing the drumline’s music, that has allowed me to grow and develop not only as a person but also as a writer.”
Check out the feature UWEC did about Andrew
Onboard the Mariner of the Seas, Southeast Asia 2018
International Tours
Since 2008 the Blugold Marching Band has made eight major international tours to 21 foreign countries and has performed in venues including the Roman Colosseum, St. Peter’s Square, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Greek Parliament in Athens, and the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. From Jerusalem to Barcelona; Bali to Istanbul; Paris to Thailand; London to Tokyo; Columbia through the Panama Canal to Guatemala; the Blugold Marching Band has truly traveled the world. The most recent trip was a 21-day performance tour of Columbia, Panama Canal, Panama, Guatemala, and Mexico in January 2023. Start planning now for the next international performance tour in January 2025 to Spain, the Canary Islands, and Morocco!
Performances
Every year the Blugold Marching Band performs for thousands of spectators at multiple contest exhibitions around the upper Midwest. The Blugold Marching Band has performed in exhibition fifteen times at Youth in Music (Minneapolis) and five times as the guest exhibition band for Bands of America (Indianapolis and St. Louis). The band performs each year at Music Along the Chippewa and has performed many times at Chicago area shows including Lincoln Way, Naperville, Greater Chicago, and Chicagoland as well as Milwaukee area shows such as Greendale, Waukesha West, and Marchfest plus Twin Cities shows such as Irondale and District 833. BMB has performed for three NFL halftimes, twice for the Green Bay Packers and once for the Minnesota Vikings.
Members
Blugold Marching Band membership is open to UW-Eau Claire students of any major and represents virtually every department on campus. While music majors are the largest single group in the Blugold Marching Band, 70% of the band members are not music majors.
2023 BMB