Our History

The Marching Chiefs have a rich history that dates back to the 1930s, beginning with the first formal band at the Florida State College for Women. From the early days of performing at intramural games to becoming a leading collegiate marching band, the Marching Chiefs continue to forge an enduring legacy of musical excellence and tradition.

1930s

In the late 1930s, the first formal band was organized at The Florida State College for Women under the leadership of Charlotte Cooper, Jean Hitchcolk, Allie Ludlaw, and director Owen F. Sellars. With less than twenty students, the band made its first performance at the Odds and Evens intramural football game on Thanksgiving Day, 1939.

1930s

1941

The Florida Flambeau ran an advertisement announcing tryouts for the first formal band, which was officially organized in 1941.

1942

In 1942, Frank Sykora became the Interim Director while Director Sellars took a three–year military leave during World War II. This same year, the first uniforms were purchased and worn for the inauguration of the new college president, Doak S. Campbell.

1946

Marching band was first offered as a course for credit.

1947

The Florida State College for Women became the coeducational Florida State University. The band also became coed and began its long relationship with the football team in a five–game season. Robert Smith took over the band, and rehearsals were held on Landis Green.

1949

In 1949, Robert T. Braunagel became the new band director. After a newspaper survey sponsored by the University Student Government Association, the marching band officially adopted the title of Marching Chiefs. The band’s first appearance as the Marching Chiefs was at Stetson University.

1940s

1950

Following the 1949 season, the Seminole football team made its first postseason bowl appearance at the Cigar Bowl in Tampa. The Marching Chiefs also attended the match, marking its debut at a bowl game, where they helped cheer Florida State to its first bowl victory over Wofford.

1953

Dr. Manley R. Whitcomb of Ohio State University joined the FSU faculty and assumed the position of Director. When Dr. Whitcomb came south, he brought with him a talented young arranger, Charles Carter. This partnership began the long tradition of the Marching Chiefs, as seen on the field today. Whitcomb instituted fast marching tempos, a high step with an arm swing known as the Chiefs Step, and introduced the concept of marching eight steps to five yards.

1954-1955

The Seminole football team earned a bid to play in a postseason bowl game at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, and the Miami Daily News proclaimed, “FSU’s bid to Sun Bowl clinched by Marching Chiefs” (December 5, 1954). Upon arriving by train to El Paso, the Marching Chiefs participated in the Sun Carnival Parade, prompting the Tallahassee Democrat to declare, “Marching Chiefs a Sun Carnival Hit.” (January 2, 1955)

1955

After the chartering of Kappa Kappa Psi at FSU in the Spring of 1955, the brothers published the first issue of the Chieftain that fall. The purpose of the Chieftain was to keep band members informed of upcoming events and activities.

1956-1958

J. Dayton Smith’s The Hymn to the Garnet and the Gold was arranged for band by Charlie Carter. This version made its first appearance at Homecoming in 1958. Numerous traditions surrounding the Hymn first appeared during these years… and continue to the present day.

1958

The first Florida State University versus the University of Florida football game was played, and the rivalry began.

1950s

1961-1962

The Marching Chiefs’ 1961 halftime show, “The Sound of Music,” honored FSU’s School of Music and celebrated great composers throughout history during Homecoming. A highlight of the season was a trip to Mobile on January 6, 1962, to participate in the Senior Bowl Game, where they were featured on national television.

1963

The phrase “We always win the halftime show” was a common saying among FSU students. It reflected the deep respect and pride the campus held for its acclaimed band, whose performances continued to captivate audiences year after year.

1964-1965

The 1964 football season was marked by FSU’s first appearance at the Gator Bowl on January 2, 1965. The Marching Chiefs traveled to Jacksonville, entertaining fans with a Florida-themed show.

1967

In January of 1967, the FSU Marching Chiefs performed in Governor Claude R. Kirk’s inaugural parade.

1969

Dr. John Boda, FSU Professor of Composition, composed ‘Band Ballet No. 2’ specifically for the Marching Chiefs. This original piece, written in a contemporary style, showcased the band’s ability to perform complex, abstract formations and patterns. It was the third halftime show created exclusively for the Chiefs, following well-received performances in 1963 and 1964.

1960s

1971

Richard Mayo, FSU alumnus and past drum major, assumed the helm of the Marching Chiefs. The same year, membership grew to more than 200 students, and the Marching Chiefs were finalists in the Best College Marching Band Contest on ABC-TV and established the reputation of being one of the country’s finest.

1974

The Marching Chiefs were guests of the United States Department of State to perform at the International Trade Fair in Damascus, Syria. While in the Middle East, the band traveled to Amman, Jordan, for a command performance for King Hussein. Thus, the title of world-renowned became associated with the Marching Chiefs name. The following year, flag, rifle, and color guard auxiliary were added to the ensemble.

1977

FSU and Marching Chiefs alumnus Bentley Shellahamer took over as Director of the Marching Chiefs.

1978

The Marching Chiefs made their first of many performances at a National Football League game for the New Orleans Saints.

1970s

1981

With membership exceeding 300, the Marching Chiefs performed at Ohio State University. Manley Whitcomb conducted the combined bands in the National Anthem, which Dr. Shellahamer described as the “ultimate experience.” That same year, alumnus David Westberry became The Voice of the Marching Chiefs.

1982

Sports Illustrated featured the Marching Chiefs in an eight-page picture essay in which it declared that “Florida State occasionally may lose a football game, but never a halftime show” (December 6, 1982). Dr. James Croft added the traditional end-of-the-year PRISM Concert included in the annual Tri-State Band Festival and Conducting Conference.

1984

After completing his two-year doctoral studies at Ohio State, Dr. Shellahamer returned to FSU, where Andre Arrouet had served as Interim Director in his absence. That same year, the Marching Chiefs performed alongside the University of Florida Band at Super Bowl XVIII in Tampa, Florida.

1988

The Marching Chiefs reached another milestone in 1988, when membership surpassed 400 students, thus making the Chiefs the world’s largest collegiate marching band.

1989

Robert Sheldon took over as Director and adopted the uniforms that the Chiefs wore through the 2000 season. That same year, an effort was spearheaded by several students to officially dedicate the Marching Chiefs’ field as the Manley Whitcomb Memorial Field, Home of the Marching Chiefs. Their labors bore fruit later in 1992.

1980s

1991

Patrick Dunnigan, the current Director of Bands, arrived in Tallahassee and, in his first year, led the band in recording their debut CD, Our Best Foot Forward. This made the Marching Chiefs the first college marching band to produce its own end-of-season CD.

1992

Charlie Carter celebrated his 40th season with FSU and the Marching Chiefs, and the Chiefs performed a special show saluting Charlie’s contributions to the bands at Florida State University.

1993

The 1993 season began with a trip to the New Jersey Meadowlands for the Kick-Off Classic. Doak Campbell Stadium was renovated with a new section for the band, and the Marching Chiefs made their first entrance through the endzone door. The Homecoming Show celebrated the 50th anniversary of FSU bands, and the season ended with FSU’s first National Championship in football.

1997

The Marching Chiefs renewed their world-renowned status by traveling to London, England, to perform a halftime show for the World Football League’s London Monarchs.

1998

Dr. John L. Baker stepped in as Interim Director while Dunnigan took time off to pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Texas. After a miraculous turn of events in December of 1998, the Marching Chiefs found themselves on their way to Tempe, Arizona, accompanying the football team on another quest to the National Championship in the Fiesta Bowl.

1999

Dr. Dunnigan returned to Tallahassee for the 1999 season. The season ended with a celebration of the football team’s second National Championship in the Sugar Bowl.

1990s

2004

Former Marching Chief and FSU alum Dr. David Plack was appointed Director of Athletic Bands in 2004. Since then, he has led the Marching Chiefs alongside Dr. Dunnigan and continues to direct the Seminole Sound pep band. He also teaches the Marching Band Techniques course, conducts the University Symphonic Band, and contributes new drill designs and arrangements.

2005

In 2005, former FSU lacrosse coach Bill Harkins made a generous donation to create a new artificial turf practice field at the Manley R. Whitcomb Band Complex. Named Bill Harkins Field, it provided the Marching Chiefs with a rehearsal space that mirrored the look of Bobby Bowden Field on game day.

2009

Retired FSU music professor Tommie Wright conducted the Marching Chiefs in the fight song during the Maryland-FSU game on November 21, 2009. Wright co-wrote the song in 1950 with Doug Alley, composing the tune in 20 minutes and adding the final F-L-O-R-I-D-A, S-T-A-T-E chant. The song debuted on October 28, 1950, during the homecoming game that inaugurated Doak Campbell Stadium.

2015

In January 2015, the Marching Chiefs made their first-ever appearance in the iconic Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California, showcasing their precision and spirit to a global audience before performing at the Rose Bowl Game.

2019

The Marching Chiefs proudly represented Florida State University and the United States by performing in Paris and Normandy, France, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day, with memorable performances at Trocadéro Gardens, the Monument of the 29thInfantry, the D-Day Parade, the Normandy American Cemetery wreath-laying ceremony, and the Parc André Citroën.

2021

In 2021, the Marching Chiefs honored legendary FSU coach Bobby Bowden with a halftime tribute, forming the word “Bobby” on the field and playing “Amazing Grace.” Bowden, who led the Seminoles from 1976 to 2009, won two national championships and became one of the winningest coaches in college football history.

2024

The Chiefs traveled to Dublin, Ireland, to perform at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, kicking off the season with a spirited show for an international audience during FSU’s game against Georgia Tech.

2024

In October of 2024, the Marching Chiefs debuted new uniforms during a home game against Clemson, enhancing their iconic look with updated designs that thrilled fans and honored tradition.

Our History

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

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