"New Band Debuts Friday"

October 1, 1958

"Excitement is mounting over the debut of the new Forty-Niner band at the San Diego - Long Beach State football game. With outfits to knock out your eye and music to match, campaigners for the group have been regaling campus pedestrians during the past two weeks.
All kidding aside, the contribution of the new musical organization will make this a thrilling semester of sports. The Music Department has gone out in buliding and equipping a band that should be the envy of other campuses."

Yes, I know, you probably think I'm a total bando for posting yet another story about the band. And yes, I know how to play a fair amount of instruments (trombone, baritone, clarinet, oboe...). But this story reminded me of my high school marhcing band. I came from a brand new high school in Irvine (Beckman High School) and I was a part of the very first marching band in the school's short history. In our third year, we went on to win first place in seven of the eight parades we had participated in. The score we earned at my last parade as a senior for the band ranked second in Southern California on the SCSBOA website (Southern California Schools Band and Orchestra Association). We earned a 465 (out of 500) music score and a 94.5 (out of 100) overall score - for the bandos who know what these scores mean. We were all amazed at what we had accomplished in a short three years.

So back to Long Beach State - the marching band began with 65 members under drum major Harold Hansen. The band would later be christened, the Big Brown Music Machine, and would be known for performing half time shows of famous movie themes of the time. The Big Brown Music Machine went on to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade in the early 60's. Unfortunately, the marching band was terminated in the early 90's due to the lack of budget. The sprit of the Big Brown Music Machine, however, lives on in the 49er pep band.

*The 49er pep band performs at a volleyball game*

Visit the Long Beach State Pep Band facebook for more information on the group.