Thunder of the East Marching Band

UB Pep Band with Conductor Norm Alexander at UB Homecoming Football Game, October 1991, 10 Year Anniversary

UB Pep Band at UB Homecoming Football Game vs. Hofstra, October 1992

The first marching band at the University at Buffalo was formed in 1920 by 15 students.[11][12] At that time, performances were limited to a few concerts, and marching during the school's football games.[11][12] The band eventually dissolved in 1927, but many attempts were made to revive it.[11][12] The band was re-formed in 1946 by Gerald Marx.[11][12] A saxophone player, Marx brought together around 50 players to play and march at university football and basketball games.[11][12] They also played concerts around the area, including one in Kleinhans Music Hall, home of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.[11][12] In 1952, The Air Force ROTC Band took over the marching duties on campus, leaving the university band only non-marching duties.[11][12]

In 1956, the newly formed music department at the university took over the marching band after the ROTC band failed to meet expectations during its existence, and upon the insistence of UB's president, Clifford C. Furnas.[11][12] Robert Mols, PhD, led this new band, writing the current fight song, "Victory," that is heard at football games and basketball games today.[11][12] Mols wanted the band to be comparable to Ivy League marching bands, creating uniforms that resembled uniforms of the Ivy Leaguers of the day.[11][12] The band opened to much success and fanfare thanks to the efforts of Mols and the band's many weeks of practice before their premiere.[11][12] In 1959, Buffalo Philharmonic member Lowell Shaw took over leading the marching band; Mols went back to conducting the university Concert Band.[11][12] In 1961, the band again changed leaders with Frank J. Cipolla at the helm.[11][12] The University purchased new uniforms and a new version of the Alma Mater was written.[11][12] It was at this time that the band acquired its first nickname, "Pride of the East."[11][12] In 1968, the band had the distinction of being the first group on campus to move to the new North Campus to what is now Bissell Hall.[11][12] In 1969, the band marched in Richard Nixon's inauguration parade.[11][12] Between 1961 and the early 1970s, the band grew from only 50 members to over 300 members.[11][12] The university joined the SUNY system in 1962, eventually leading to the elimination of the football team and with it the need for a marching band.[11][12]

In 1981, a small group of students created a pep band for the then Division III football team.[11][12] Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the band grew to become a Student Association group, so beginning the University at Buffalo Blue Noise Pep Band.[11][12] During this time, there was talk of restarting the marching band, however it never developed.[11][12] In 1999, football returned to Division I. With this, the university decided a marching band was again a necessity. Mark Flynn was made the director,[11][12] and with the efforts of Kappa Kappa Psi, many local high schools, and Student Affairs, the Thunder of the East made its debut on September 11, 1999.[11][12][13] In 2000, the band began its second season with new uniforms and new words to Victory March written by Mols, the original composer.[11][12] It's believed that there were never any words for the original song. In the fall of 2001, the band made its first road trip in nearly 30 years to West Point to cheer on the Buffalo Bulls at Army's Michie Stadium.

The Thunder of the East is a Drum Corps style band that incorporates traditional marching band instrumentation. Instruments included are:

The Thunder of the East also has a Visual section to add artistic style to their performances, including:

• Color Guard
• Featured Twirlers
• UB Dazzlers Dance Team

Practices are held three times per week (Mon/Wed/Fri 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm) during the fall semester. Students in the band may also take MUS 130, an optional two-credit course. Rehearsals are held at Kunz Field, the former football stadium, UB Stadium or indoors at Baird hall, home of the university's music department.

Foemerly associated with Student Life, the Marching Band is now associated with UB Athletics, and together with the Pep Band, comprises the Athletic Bands. The band is not part of the Music Department at the university. However, all students in the band are given the option of taking MUS 130, a 2-credit course.[11]

Members of the Thunder of the East arrive one week prior to the start of UB's fall semester. Students are able to move into their assigned dorms prior to camp, allowing them to avoid the rush and chaos of university-wide move in day. During the week of Fun in the Sun, members are taught the marching style of the Thunder of the East, fitted for uniforms, and begin to learn that season's music and field show. Also during the time members of the drumline and Dazzlers Dance Team audition for their spots.

The Thunder of the East performs many times throughout the year.[11][12] The band performs at every home football game, travels to at least one away game per year, and attends other events, such as parades and exhibition performances at New York State Field Band competitions.[14] The Thunder of the East also accompanies the team to any/all Post-Season Performances.

In 2008, the band followed the Bulls on their historic run to the MAC Championship and their first-ever Bowl Game.

In 2022, the band performed at halftime at the Buffalo Bills' home opener against the Tennessee Titans on September 19.

• Buffalo Bulls
• University at Buffalo
• University at Buffalo Stadium

• Official website