The Mighty Sound of Maryland (MSOM) is the marching band of the University of Maryland. The band was founded in 1908 at what was then known as the Maryland Agricultural College. Currently based in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center , the Mighty Sound of Maryland is composed of students representing all 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland and serve as a highly visible ambassador for the university and state.
The band performs pregame, halftime, and fifth-quarter shows at all Maryland Terrapins home football games. The band also performs at all the bowl games where the Maryland Terrapins football team plays, exhibitions at local competitions and showcases in the DC-Maryland-Virginia Metropolitan area, and Campus Concerts throughout the football season.
History
1908-1929
The ensemble was founded in 1908 at what was then known as the Maryland Agricultural College. For the approximately 50 years prior to the founding of the cadet band, the agriculture and military focused school relied on the Cadet Corps Drum and Buglers for music. That year, the college brought in Levi G. Smith, a local violinist, to organize a band capable of playing for formal ROTC functions. The result was a 25-piece ensemble originally named the Maryland Agricultural College Cadet Band. The Cadet Band's first home was located in the barracks behind present day South Campus Dining Hall. While initially formed to performed for the ROTC, the Cadet Band quickly branched out to school and local events. One notable event from this era of the band was marching in Woodrow Wilson's Second Inauguration Parade in 1917. In 1928, Sgt. Otto Siebeneichen, a retired bandmaster of the United States Army Band, was appointed the first full-time director as a part of the colleges faculty.
In 1924, the Old Byrd Stadium was built. It occupied the location where Fraternity Row now stands. The stadium was razed in 1953 so that construction of Frat Row could begin.
1930-1949 The band continued to establish its presence on campus and nationally during the mid-20th century. During World War II, the band faced low membership significantly reducing its community performances. Following the war, Frank V. Sykora, a graduate of the Imperial Russian Conservatory (Ukrainian National Academy of Music) in Kyiv directed the band from 1947-1949. Under his leadership membership grew to over 100 members and the band began traveling extensively. To reflect its growth and modernization following the war, the organization underwent its first major rebrand in 1947 when it officially changed its name from the Maryland Agricultural College Cadet Band to the Big Red and White University of Maryland Marching Band.
1950-1969 In 1950, New Byrd Stadium opened and has undergone significant renovation in the 75 years since. That same year the Big Red and White Band became under the guidance of Captain Robert "Bob" L. Landers who previously directed the "Singing Sergeants" of in the United States Air Force. In 1954, the University of Maryland School of Music was established under the College of Arts and Humanities in Tawes Hall. Additionally, Homer Ulrich became the first full-time band director and chairman of newly established school. Seen as the "founding father" of the Department of Music, he is memorialized in awards and with the Ulrich Recital Hall in Tawes Fine Arts Building dedicated in 1995. Hubert Henderson took over as director in 1955 and fully integrated integrated the marching and concert bands into the university's music performance and education programs.
Prior to H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth II's visit to campus in 1957, the university gave the band $10,000 to purchase new uniforms to be used at the football game she attended. This was her first and only American college football game.
Until 1965, the band's primary rehearsal space was the attic of the Reckord Armory which is a space the band still uses to store memorabilia and instruments. Henderson departed that same year with Acton Ostling Jr. becoming director from 1965-1968 and John E. Wakefield taking over later in 1968.
1970-1989 Under the direction of Wakefield, the marching band grew into a modern ensemble. Aided by associate directors Fred Heath, Jerry Gardner, Dieter Zimmer, and L. Richmond Sparks, the band modernized its formations and marching style laying the foundation for the current visual identity. The band had a major milestone in diversity when in appointing its first African-American Drum Major, Zemira Jones, from 1971-1973.
1990-2019 The band performed in several nationally televised events in this era including the 2000 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the inaugural parade of former President Barack Obama in 2013. The year 2000 also marked the second identity change for the ensemble officially changing its name from the Big Red and White University of Maryland Marching Band to the Mighty Sound of Maryland.
In August 2000, the bands moved from their primary home of Tawes Fine Arts Building into the then-new Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. In September 2001, the new band room was dedicated to John E. Wakefield, Director of Bands.
During Early Week of 2006, band director L. Richmond Sparks introduced the idea of a volunteer trip to New Orleans to the band. The idea was met with much enthusiasm and excitement, and on September 9, 2006 the band played a New Orleans Tribute halftime show. After finishing on the field, each member of the band took to the stands to collect donations in their shakos to help fund a service trip to New Orleans over winter break. In the third quarter of the game over $25,000 was raised. By the end of the semester, over $50,000 had been raised to fund the band's trip. Following the Champs Sports Bowl in December 2006, the Mighty Sound of Maryland traveled from Houston, Texas to New Orleans, Louisiana. Over 240 members of the band spent a week building houses with Habitat for Humanity at the Musicians' Village Project. While in Louisiana, the band also performed for Habitat for Humanity volunteers, at Gallier Hall for the mayor, and at the Krewe of Alla's Mardi Gras kickoff parade in Gretna, Louisiana.
In 2010, the Mighty Sound of Maryland won CBS's Hawaii Five-0 theme song contest, gaining a prize of $25,000 for the band program. Part of their recorded performance of the theme was also aired on CBS during the show. The band was able to purchase new uniforms with their winnings.
In 2014, the Maryland Terrapins and the band joined the Big Ten Conference, home to bands widely considered to be some of the nation's finest. The bands directors expressed hope that the move would generate both additional exposure and funding for the band.
2020-present In 2023 the Mighty Sound of Maryland debuted new uniforms for the first time since joining the Big Ten Conference in 2014. The new design takes inspiration from other Big Ten uniforms with a peaked cap and pointed jacket as well as prominently incorporating the Maryland flag on the back.
Today, the Mighty Sound of Maryland is led by Dr. Andrea Brown and continues to perform and travel as the flagship representative of the University of Maryland.
In May 2026, after a search for a new Assistant Director following Dr. Craig Potter's departure, the School of Music announced the appointment of Dr. Kevin Niese to the Assistant Director role, effective August 2026. Dr. Niese earned his doctorate in Music Education from the University of Iowa and served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Hawkeye Marching Band.
Organization
Instrumentation and sections The Mighty Sound of Maryland utilizes a standard instrumentation typical of a large Big Ten marching band. The woodwinds consist of piccolos, clarinets, alto saxophones, and tenor saxophones. The brass section features trumpets, mellophones, trombones and baritones (KAOS), and tubas. The percussion consists of a traditional drum corps style battery including snare drums, tenor drums, bass drums, and cymbals.
In addition to the instrumentalists, the band features a large visual ensemble. This includes a color guard performing with flags, the Maryland Dance Team, and feature twirlers.
Leadership structure The success of the Mighty Sound of Maryland heavily relies on a leadership structure that bridges the gap between university faculty, band staff, and student representatives. Currently, the program is overseen by one Director, one Assistant Director, one drumline instructor, one color guard instructor, one dance team coach, and the Band Office. Additional instructional staff are often brought in to assist during Early Week as well. This group manages the music selection, drill design, and handles various administrative duties. They are supported in these tasks by Graduate Assistants.
Within the undergraduate student body, three drum majors serve as the primary liaisons between the section leadership and band staff and faculty. The drum majors conduct the band on the field and in the stands along with various instructional duties. Essential operational and promotional support is provided by two teams of student staff. The equipment (EQ) staff manages all uniforms and instruments as well as any repairs they might need throughout the season. They also handle setting and cleaning rehearsal spaces. The marketing staff produces content to promote the bands image and serve to grow the bands image.
Each section includes a student leadership team as well, with one section leader and several squad leaders. The responsibility of the section leader is focused around music and ensuring all members have their music memorized. The responsibility of a squad leader is focused on marching technique and drill.
Digital presence and community outreach As the band's role as an ambassador for the university as evolved, so has its digital footprint. The Mighty Sound of Maryland maintains a social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube as a method of engaging with fans, alumni, and prospective students, These platforms are used to broadcast performances, provide behind-the-scenes content, and promote band-sponsored events and philanthropy.
In addition to the primary band accounts, individual sections maintain their own more targeted digital outreach efforts using Instagram. Section and Squad Leaders typically take on the responsibility of generating content for these pages.
Early Week Before the start of each fall semester, all band members arrive on campus approximately a week before the first day of classes for "Early Week", the rigorous preseason band camp. During this week students learn the fundamentals of marching technique, learn pregame drill, and begin rehearsing the season's first halftime show. A typical Early Week schedule consists of a two-a-day outdoor marching rehearsal (morning/evening) and music rehearsal (afternoon).
Towards the end of Early Week the band hosts a season preview, inviting family, friends, students, faculty, and professors to see the progress the band has made. Early Week remains a foundational element of the season that prepares the band for the physical and mental demands as the semester progresses.
As of 2023 the ensemble has transitioned from historic Chapel Field to turf surfaces for Early Week. Since the transition the band has utilized the Xfinity Center RecWell Fields, the varsity Turf Field, and SECU Stadium.
Regular season operations During the fall semester, the Mighty Sound of Maryland maintains a rigorous regular-season schedule. The band rehearses for two hours a day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with an additional Saturday rehearsal prior to home games. These weekly rehearsals take place at various locations across campus, primarily utilizing Varsity Turf Field, Chapel Field, and SECU Stadium.