Blue and Gold Marching Machine
| Blue and Gold Marching Machine | |
|---|---|
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| School | North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University |
| Location | Greensboro, North Carolina |
| Conference | MEAC |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Director | Kenneth G. Ruff (Director of Bands) |
| Assistant director | Thomas Warner, Jr (High Brass) Lamon Lawhorn (Percussion) |
| Members | 220 |
| Fight song | ""Aggie Fight Song" and "Old Aggie Spirit"" |
| Website | www |
The Blue and Gold Marching Machine (also known as the BGMM) is the official marching band of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The Blue and Gold Marching Machine performs pre-game and half-time shows at all North Carolina A&T Aggies Football home games and travels to most away games.
The history of the North Carolina A&T Marching Band can be traced back to the early 20th century. In the school's early history, music was not offered as a course of study. Margaret Falkener is credited with organizing the college's Music Department in 1894. In 1909 Mr. Charles E. Steward came to the university, then the "Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race," to serve as director of music. Steward would later go on to compose the school's Alma Mater, "Dear A&T". After Steward's arrival, music,consisting mostly of choral music, unison singing, and band instruction, soon became a requirement in all departments.
After Steward's departure in 1917, W. E. Lew came on as Director of Music. At that time the music program at the college began to grow. The following year, Lew started the band program as a 50 Piece ensemble. It was not until the 1930s that marching band was offered as an extracurricular activity. During this time, N.C. A&T was the only Historically Black college in the state of North Carolina with a marching band.
In 1940, the college granted its first Bachelor of Science degrees in Instrumental Music in 1940. later in that decade, the marching band was patterned itself after programs found at The University of Michigan and Ohio State.
In the 1950s, the director of bands Walter F. Carlson, brought in the idea of dancing during a field show performance. In 1955, the Marching Band reached 135 members, including 66 freshmen. At the time this was the largest marching band in the history of the university. As a result of the growth, the marching band outgrew their current practice and were relocated to a new location inside a renovated Crosby Hall.
In the mid 1960s the band introduced the concept of majorettes and later incorporated flag twirlers into the ranks. The 1970s saw the A&T Marching Band gain national attention with several major performances including The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City and performing at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. In the late 1970s to early 1980s, the band underwent a change in leadership. Jimmy Williams and Dr. Johnny B. Hodge became the directors of the band. It was during this era, the marching band gained the “Blue & Gold Marching Machine” moniker. In the late 1980s and early 1990s the auxiliary units of the Blue and Gold Marching Machine, began to evolve. The group now called "The Untouchables." displayed signature elements such as the "high step" march of the flags and the "A&T Majorette Arch." In 1991, the squad was renamed "Golden Delight." and throughout the decade, the ladies began to incorporate dance and flag twirling movements in their shows. The squad soon became known for its versatile nature, in addition to having one of the largest collection of flags and equipment in HBCU bands. Taken from a corps style inspiration, a variety of colored flags were used to accent the music being played by the Blue & Gold Marching Machine, breaking the normal practice of using flags primarily consisting of school's colors.
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