80 years · 1946–2026

The Time Machine

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Morgan State University Marching Band

80

years of music, tradition & culture

Swipe, use the arrows, or press ← → to travel through time

Preface

It started with a band of about twenty.

October 19, 1946 marks the first performance of the Morgan State College Marching Band. What began under the direction of Mr. William Oscar Smith has become an 80-year legacy of music, tradition and culture.

This is dedicated to every director, staff member, musician and auxiliary member of the marching band program. Your hard work and dedication are what continue to drive the Machine.

Take a trip back in time and see how the Morgan State Marching Band has grown.

Humble beginnings

Seven weeks to build a band.

  • Summer 1946William O. Smith is hired as Morgan State College's band director.
  • Sept. 1, 1946His first day on the job. He has to build a band and have it ready to perform on October 19. He got it done.
  • Oct. 19, 194623 students and former World War II soldiers perform at the dedication of the Carnegie Library, playing "America the Beautiful," the fight song and a John Philip Sousa march.
  • One week laterThe band doubles in size.
William O. Smith
William O. Smith, first director of bands
The directors

Eight leaders. One Machine.

  1. William O. SmithWilliam O. Smith
  2. Dr. R. Hayes StriderDr. R. Hayes Strider
  3. Michael MarkMichael Mark
  4. Louis WellsLouis WellsStudent director
  5. Dr. Thomas De LaineDr. Thomas De Laine
  6. John NewsonJohn Newson
  7. Dr. Melvin N. Miles Jr.Dr. Melvin N. Miles Jr.
  8. Dr. Jorim E. Reid Sr.Dr. Jorim E. Reid Sr.
Decade 01

1940s

The first band takes the field: 23 students and returning WWII veterans under William O. Smith, with majorettes leading the way.

Morgan State band photos from the 1940s
Decade 02

1950s

Field formations, parades and the auxiliaries in white, straight from the archive.

Morgan State band photos from the 1950s
Decade 03

1960s

Tall plumes, high steps and a growing band filling the field on game day.

Morgan State band photos from the 1960s
Decade 04

1970s

Drum majors, dancers and a sound that kept getting bigger.

Morgan State band photos from the 1970s
Decade 05

1980s

Orange takes center stage, with bold uniforms and the iconic M across the chest.

Morgan State band photos from the 1980s
Decade 06

1990s

Parade banners, Foxxys and drum majors commanding the crowd.

Morgan State band photos from the 1990s
Decade 07

2000s

Blue and white take the field, and the band makes its big-screen cameo in Head of State (2003).

Morgan State band photos from the 2000s
Decade 08

2010s

Representing Maryland on the biggest stages, capped by becoming the first HBCU to lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2019.

Morgan State band photos from the 2010s
Decade 09

2020s

The White House, Normandy for D-Day 80 (2024) and the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena (2026).

Morgan State band photos from the 2020s
How it's going

The Magnificent Marching Machine.

Over the years, Morgan State's marching band has reached unimaginable heights and made history on national and international stages.

  • Multiple White House performances
  • NFL & MLB games
  • NBA HBCU Classic
  • US Open
  • National Women's Soccer League
  • Head of State (2003)
  • 1st HBCU to lead the Macy's Parade (2019)
  • 1st HBCU at the D-Day 80 Normandy Parade (2024)
  • 137th Tournament of Roses Parade (2026)

80 years of music, history-making and culture-changing.

Slides, photos and history courtesy of Morgan State University Bands (@morganstatebands), shared with the MSU Band Alumni.