Muskegon Big Red Band

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HISTORY of the MUSIC PROGRAM

MHS Band 1912

1915 MHS Orchestra and Band - Under the direction of Paul Neilsen

1920-21 Muskegon High School Band and Orchestra

1925-26 Muskegon High Band

Muskegon's new High School - 1927

Muskegon High School's monthly edition of the Said and Done from fall of 1928

William Stewart - Muskegon High School - 1936

The "Band Mothers" - the predecessor to the Band and Orchestra Parents Association, was organized by new band director William Stewart in 1936.

First on Stewart's agenda - new band uniforms.

Letter donated by Ed Sutherland, Big Red Marching Band Member 1938-39

New uniforms debut in November 1943 game against Muskegon Heights

Muskegon High School Band at University of Michigan 1945

The band performs at University of Michigan - 1945

MHS Band - 1947

Patent of Electric Lamp Attachments for Caps, August 31, 1948

The concept was created by Director William Stewart, and patented to benefit the school

Program highlighting 1949 Memorial Day Services in Muskegon. The included a parade that formed
at Court House Square in downtown Muskegon, followed by exercises at Hackley Park,
Memorial services at St. Mary's Cemetery, a second parade in Lakeside,
and exercises at Lakeside Cemetery. The events featured performances of the National Anthem
by local high schools. Fifty years later, veterans are honored locally
in much the same manner.

For the 300 combined members of the Muskegon, Muskegon Heights, North Muskegon and St. Mary's High School bands, October 30, 1952 was a big day. When President Harry S. Truman "stepped onto the rear platform of his special train at the C & O station, the massed bands struck up "Hail to the Chief" a number played only at personal appearances of the President and one which few bands in the nation have had an opportunity to play." , President Truman was visiting Muskegon in support of presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson.

From Truman's address in Muskegon

Now I am very glad to be here in Muskegon this morning. It is a pleasure to me to have your Governor and candidate for Senator, and their families, on the train this morning. I know that Michigan is going to return both of them to office. And they should, because you have had a good administration under Governor Williams, and Blair Moody has been a real representative for you in the Senate of the United States.

I understand that this is the first time a President of the United States has come to Muskegon, and I want to thank you for coming out here to greet your President at this time of day.

Click here to read his remarks from the visit.

The band unveiled new versatile uniforms during the 1955-56 school year.

Fans were treated to an unusual performance by the Big Red Marching Band during the annual Muskegon - Muskegon Heights football game in 1953. The band was illustrating John McCrae's poem, In Flanders Fields. A U.S. military cemetery near Waregem, Belgium, Flanders Field serves as the burial site for bodies of World War I soldiers. Featured the use of black light, the band became only the third in America to use the system for a half-time show.

Majorettes Sharon Pederson, Joyce Marshall, Pat Wirtz, Patricia Somero and Kay Fearnly

A Spread Eagle - one of many formation
from the halftime shows used during the 1953 season

William Stewart's Original Manuscript for the Alma Mater
Composed May 5, 1954

Band Camp 1963, Smith-Walbridge Camp, Syracuse, Indiana

Big Reds in Chicago around 1964

The Block M from the fall of 1965

The MHS band received a contribution from composer Henry Mancini to help the
group finance a trip to Chicago. Invited to perform at the Midwest National Band
Clinic on December 18, 1968, the cost of the trip was funded through donations
and fundraisers. Among the fundraisers was the band's first annual Tag Day.

The 1976 Big Red Marching Band

1989 - Pontiac Silverdome
"Revival"
Muskegon 16, Detroit Martin Luther King 13

1992 Marching Band

1994's Brass Section

The band's long history of involvement in dedication's continued with a performance during the unveiling of the Charles H. Hackley statue in downtown Muskegon in October of 2009. The band has played for numerous other dedication ceremonies in the past, including the dedication of the B.C Cobb Plant in 1949 and a performance dedicating the installation of new street lights in downtown Muskegon.

Artwork by Megan Baker - 2009