OLD UNIFORMS: In addition to color difference, the band's oldest uniforms are frayed and worn.

THANK YOU to everyone who has already sponsored a uniform!  Over 250 uniforms have been sponsored to date, and we are well on the way to our goal of 380 sponsorships.

It is not too late to contribute!  For a $250 donation, alumni, parents, and friends of the band can sponsor a new marching band uniform and keep the Band of the Fighting Irish looking its best.

Sponsor’s names are engraved on a new plaque that is displayed at the Band Building.

To sponsor one or more uniforms, visit the Webstore or contact the band office for details.

For information about the many different ways you can help the Notre Dame Band, please visit our website’s giving page.

Notre Dame Concert Band on Stage at Severance Hall

The Band performed an exciting and diverse program. Musical selections included everything from Sousa to Puccini and genres ranging from opera to modern jazz. A special feature of this concert was the addition of music written for organ and band. Notre Dame’s professor of organ, Dr. Craig Cramer, joined the band playing the Norton Memorial Organ, one of the finest organs in the United States featuring over 6,000 individual pipes. The organ is one of the defining features of Severance Hall and hearing the organ’s amazing sound combined with that of the Notre Dame Concert Band’s was a thrill for all in attendance. With Professor Cramer’s assistance, the band performed Gigout’s Grand Chorus in Dialogue and Alfred Reed’s Alleluia! Laudamus Te.

Chris Vadala Performs with the Notre Dame Band

The Severance Hall performance featured over 90 student musicians from nearly every field of study at Notre Dame. The concert was attended by an audience of hundreds of Notre Dame fans and music enthusiasts from throughout the Cleveland area and the Midwest.

The Severance Hall performance was the culmination of a 5 day tour through the state of Ohio. In addition to Severance Hall, the band also performed in Lima, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Elyria. While in Cleveland band members also performed some community outreach with concerts for students in the Cleveland Municipal School District to which the ND Band also made a donation of some musical instruments, and a performance at the Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. Upon their return to campus, band members performed at Notre Dame’s Commencement Exercises.

The Sudler Trophy

The Notre Dame Band has been awarded the Sudler Trophy. This trophy, dating back to 1982,is presented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation and recognizes “collegiate marching bands of particular excellence that have made outstanding contributions to the American way of life.” The award is considered the Heisman trophy for college bands and recognizes Notre Dame’s contributions to college bands over a number of years. It is the only nationally recognized award for college marching bands. Past winners of the Sudler Trophy include the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, University of Kansas, University of Texas at Austin, Florida A & M University, UCLA, and several others. To see a list of all the past winners, visit the Sousa Foundation’s website.

The trophy consists of a marble base with a bronze drum major astride a football stadium. The drum major stands 22.5 inches tall, the same measurement as one standard 8 steps to 5 yards marching step. The award is produced by Dieges and Clust, who also make the Heisman Trophy. Upon its arrival on campus, the trophy will be displayed in the Ricci Band Rehearsal Hall.

Sudler Trophy Announcement on December 17th in Chicago

The winner of this year’s award was announced on December 17th at a ceremony during the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. Director of Bands, Dr. Ken Dye was on hand as Dr. Robert Foster, Director of Bands Emeritus at the University of Kansas, announced Notre Dame’s selection as this year’s recipient. A formal presentation of the Sudler trophy will be made at Notre Dame Stadium this fall at a home football game. Upon learning of Notre Dame’s selection Dr. Dye commented:

I look for continued progress and success with the Notre Dame Band and wish to congratulate all the students, staff, and supporters that have helped our program earn this recognition.

The Notre Dame Band has earned a national reputation for its highly original and innovative performances. The Band includes over 380 student musicians representing every field of study at Notre Dame. The Band is the oldest college band (in continuous existence) in the United States and was honored as such by being declared a “Landmark of American Music” by the National Music Counciland the Indiana Music Educators Association during the 1976 United States Bicentennial.

The Sudler Trophy is a tremendous honor for the Band of the Fighting Irish and check back often as more details about this award become available.