The University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands is a comprehensive band program distinct and separate from the College-Conservatory of Music. Consisting of multiple ensembles beyond its Spirit Band, the program is housed under the Division of Student Affairs.

The program is also frequently referred to as "TUCBIDG" (pronounced tuck-bidge) in reference to its motto: "The UC Band is Damn Good." Recently, the program celebrated its centennial as well as its 80th year of women involvement in the band program.

Participation is open to all students enrolled at the University of Cincinnati including its branch campuses at Blue Ash and Clermont, as well as all students enrolled in an institution part of the Greater Cincinnati Collegiate Connection (GC3)

Ensembles

The Bearcat Bands consists of multiple ensembles including its Spirit Band program (Marching and Basketball Bands), Concert and Jazz Ensembles in both the Fall and Spring Semesters, as well as a various brass, woodwind, and percussion ensembles. The Bearcat Bands also boasts visual ensembles in Spring Semester. All the ensembles combine for about 130 public performances each year, or about one every three days. Entrance into these ensembles are generally revolved around placement auditions.

Bearcat Spirit: Marching and basketball bands The Bearcat Spirit Bands are the largest and most visible of the ensembles found within the program.

Bearcat Marching Band

The Bearcat Marching Band has historically boasted approximately 270 members. This ensemble is most active in the Fall Semester during football season, where they perform at every home game at the Historic Nippert Stadium with the possibility of travel for away games and/or bowl contention. It is also common for the ensemble to perform exhibitions in other settings, such as high school band competitions. The Bearcat Marching Band begins preparation before the start of the school year with a pre-season camp, kicking off the season on its last day with a Preview Performance.

Basketball Band

At the start of the basketball season, members of the Bearcat Spirit Bands also perform at men's and women's basketball games in Fifth Third Arena. Basketball bands are usually composed of approximately 30-50 individuals of both a visual and musical variety. This ensemble is present in both the Fall and Spring Semesters with an opportunity for students to sign up for "Winter Band" as the games continue throughout the university's winter break. These basketball bands have also been known to travel to Big 12 or NCAA tournament games as well as a nearby away game, on occasion. It is generally expected that members of the basketball bands have also participated in the Bearcat Marching Band, but situational exceptions have been granted by the band's directorship.

"Gig bands"

It is common for the Bearcat Bands to receive many requests to perform from various groups both internal and external from the University of Cincinnati. It is then possible for the Bearcat Bands to create "gig bands," where members sign up to attend and perform at these requested events. Size may vary depending on the demand and realistic capabilities. Common gigs have included the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Parade, the Cincinnati Bearcats Spring Football Game, and much more such as ribbon cuttings, pep rallies, etc.

Concert bands In addition to its Spirit Bands, the Bearcat Bands boasts a Fall Concert Band, a Spring Concert Band, and a Spring Wind Ensemble. Of the three concert bands, the Spring Winter Ensemble acts as the program's premier group, consisting of the most outstanding wind and percussion musicians on campus, committed to high standards of musical excellence. The program's Fall Concert Band is a half semester long and usually has two performances: one for the UC Veterans Day Ceremony and one for its winter holiday concert. In the Spring Semester, the Wind Ensemble usually has two performances: one in February and then one at the end of the school year where its counterpart, the Concert Band, joins along.

Jazz bands The Bearcat Bands offers a Fall Jazz Band and a Spring Jazz Band. These ensembles adopt a big band style and are dedicated to the development of fine music. While pursuing contemporary and traditional pieces, these ensembles also dive deeper into combo music that represent different styles and periods. Both groups have end-of-semester performances and concerts, but always open themselves up to additional performance opportunities throughout the school year.

Visual Ensembles In addition to a strong musical presence, the Bearcat Bands also holds a strong visual ensemble. In the Fall Semester, the Bearcat Spirit Bands display a colour guard and feature twirlers. Many of these individuals go on into the Spring Semester to pursue Bearcat Winter Guard. In this ensemble, individuals previously not familiar with the visual arts may still participate and learn such skills they have to offer. This group has the opportunity to perform at selected pregames and halftimes at men's and/or women's basketball games.

Instrumentation

The Marching Band usually consists of these numbers. The Pep Bands for Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball games are divided into fourths.

The Flute/Piccolo section consists of approximately 16 members.

The Clarinet section consists of approximately 25 members.

The Saxophone section consists of approximately 36 members.

The Trumpet section consists of approximately 46 members.

The Horn/Mellophone section consists of approximately 16 members.

The Trombone section consists of approximately 22 members.

The Baritone section consists of approximately 8 members.

The Tuba section consists of approximately 14 members.

The Percussion section consists of approximately 10 Snares, 7 Tenor Drums, 7 varying size Bass Drums, 14 Cymbals, and 14 in the Front Ensemble.

The Color Guard consists of approximately 35 members.

There are 3 Feature Twirlers.

There are 3-4 Drum Majors.

Performance style The marching band uses the roll step and glide step when performing. The marching snare section uses Traditional Grip while playing. The Bearcat Marching Band is known for its contemporary approach to both music and drill design. Over 250 UC students come together to form the band's membership. This includes the all instrumentalists, the Bearcat Guard, Twirlers, and Drum Majors corps.The Red and Black, 2008

Organization

The Bearcat Bands currently holds two-full time directors and a full-time program manager. The Head Director is Mr. Christopher J. Nichter (since 2017). The assistant director is Ms. Andrea L. Meyer (since 2022). The Program Manager is Ms. Alicja Lipsky (since 2022).

Student leadership Student Band Council

Since 1923, the Bearcat Bands houses a Student Band Council, which is composed of members from all ensembles in the program. Being enrolled and involved in one of these ensembles automatically entitles students to full membership privileges. The Student Band Council, beyond the general membership, holds a Senate and an Executive Council. The Executive Council holds the President, the Vice President of Involvement, the Vice President of Experience, the Treasurer, the Internal Communications Coordinator, and the Historian. While historically taking on many roles throughout its century-long existence, the organization has adopted a support stance solely revolved around social experiences for the general member.

History

The Beginning: An ROTC band (1920-1929)

In the fall of 1920, Mr. Ralph A. Van Wye, a student in the College of Engineering, had just returned to the University of Cincinnati after a tour of duty in the US Army during World War I as an army bandsman. At the time, ROTC was compulsory for all male students at the University of Cincinnati. Since Mr. Van Wye had just completed two years of army service, he did not feel obligated to continue as a member of ROTC on campus, requesting to have his requirement waived. However, when the commandant saw that he was an army bandsman, he told Mr. Van Wye that he was just the man they needed. They wanted to organize an ROTC band, but had no one available to serve as bandmaster. Rather than being excused from ROTC, Mr. Van Wye was appointed as bandmaster to the first University of Cincinnati ROTC band. That fall Mr. Ralph A. Van Wye held his first rehearsal in one of the laboratories in the College of Engineering. Eight members were in attendance. Looking back on the group, Mr. Van Wye humorously remarked, "The only letter we could form was the letter I". Mr. Van Wye continued as band director until his graduation in the spring of 1923. In September 1923, Sergeant Victor Norling transferred from Ft. Thomas, Kentucky to the ROTC detachment at the University of Cincinnati as the second band director. He remained in this position until 1929. Throughout these first nine years, the UC Band was an ROTC band, administered by the ROTC unit. In addition to performing at all ROTC functions, it also presented halftime shows at UC football games. At the Nippert Stadium Dedication Day game between Oberlin College and UC on November 8, 1924, the band made its first appearance in uniforms. In 1925, the bandsmen initiated the idea of the coed band sponsor, and in the same year elected Julia E. Sale their first band sponsor. Candidates from local sororities would be nominated for the band sponsor, who would then be selected each year at the band’s annual Fall banquet. This single female bandmember would provide a social “in” to the world of dating for the all-male band. During Sgt. Norling's tenure as director, the UC Band also began making trips with the team to some of the away football games.

The transitioning years: A student group (1929-1942)

In 1929 Colonel R. A. Aderegg, Assistant Dean of the College of Engineering, was appointed faculty advisor to the band. In the fall of 1929, Merrill B. Van Pelt assumed the position of director of the UC Band. At this point the band shifted from an ROTC band to a student activity for all male students on campus. Up to this point, all membership had been from the College of Engineering. Mr. Van Pelt looked to change this and began recruiting students from other colleges. Among his recruiting efforts was the development of the "Varsity Vanities", a musical review sponsored by the UC Band in which students from all colleges and groups participated. During the 1930s the UC Band gained a national reputation at football games. Mr. Van Pelt and the UC Band were one of the first to use animated formations and dance steps in football halftime shows. The band also traveled extensive ly during these years.

World War II: Incorporation of bandswomen (1942-1949)