Traditions

1) Uniform Inspection

Prior to each Home Football game on UC's campus, the Drum Majors dismiss the band into inspection lines and make sure that each bandmember is correctly adhering to the official Uniform Code by checking each member of the band.

2) Down the Drive

During Down the Drive, Drum Majors utilize the Mace in basic manuevers until they reach the stadium wall. Once the Drum Majors pass into the Stadium they begin to chant the responsory to Down the Drive along with the Band.

3) Good Luck Taps

A Band tradition that the Drum Majors continue to this day. Listed in the "Words to Live By" this tradition consists of two brief taps on the chest over the C-Paw by the Drum Major to a bandmember. The bandmember then reciprocates. This stems from an old theatre tradition.

4) Army Fanfare

At the beginning of each Home football game in Nippert Stadium the Drum Major stands atop the wall at the base of the bowl end of the stadium. When given the signal, the Drum Major lifts his hands into the air in the shape of a trianlge and directs the UC Band in the Army Fanfare which initiates the fabled Charge Down the Steps!

5) Pregame

During Pregame at each football game, the Drum Majors have a unique militaristic directing style that is utilized. This tradition of specific field placement, and choreographed movement/directing is spelled out in its entirety in the Drum Major Handbook.

6) Dismissal

At the close of each football game the band dissmisses to a predetermined location, typically within the public eye, where the Drum Majors then formally Dismiss the band. Dismissal is a modified version adopted from the model developed by George N. Parks. The full Dismissal is listed in the Drum major Handbook.