Lehigh University Music

Lehigh University has many successful music programs, including its famous Marching 97, the Wind Ensemble and the Philharmonic orchestra.

Marching 97

Lehigh University's marching band is known as 'The Marching 97', referring to ideal number of members on the field. The band is structured into ranks of eight members each, composed of instrumentalists of the same type or section. Ideally, there would be twelve ranks, for a total of 96 musicians. Due to Lehigh's engineering influence, the band traditionally performed intricate geometric programs. 96 has the mathematical advantage of being evenly divisible by 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32 and 48 to form the patterns. Outside the formation is the Drum Major, bringing the total number to 97. In recent years there have been between 55 and 70 members [http://www.marching97.org/about.php#1] .

The marching band was formed in 1906. In the 1960's the band thrived under the direction of Jonathan Elkus, and commissioned pieces from distinguished composers including Sir Arthur Bliss and Richard Franko Goldman. During this time the band adopted the name 'The Marching 97' and became known as "The Finest Band in the East". The band is famous among students for their spirit and pride, and for the onfield maneuver known as the 'Marching LEHIGH'. In this maneuver, the band forms a 'box' centered on the 50 yard line, marches in formation towards the end zone, counter marches off the goal line, forming the word 'LEHIGH' letter by letter out of the ensuing chaos of colliding ranks.

Lehigh University and College of the Holy Cross are the only Patriot League members to have a marching band. The other Patriot League schools have pep bands, which remain in the stands or stand motionless on the field while performing.

Many songs have been written for Lehigh, often by graduating seniors in the early part of the twentieth century, and are part of the tradition at football games. Their lyrics can be found at the [http://www.marching97.org/songs.php Marching 97 Website] .

Wind Ensemble

The [http://www.lehigh.edu/~inwind Wind Ensemble at Lehigh University] is a group of 50 instrumentalists. They perform music written for woodwinds, brass, and percussion spanning from the sixteenth to the twentieth centuries. In 1999, "Downbeat Magazine" honored them with the award for the most outstanding college classical symphonic band. The Wind Ensemble has recorded eight CDs based on their concerts and Lehigh fight songs, including the official CD for the 2007 commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown's founding.

Philharmonic Orchestra

The [http://www.lehigh.edu/orchestra Lehigh University Philharmonic Orchestra] was founded in 1993 with 3 students and has now grown to 100 musicians. The Philharmonic is one of Lehigh's touring groups, giving performances in Europe, China, Brazil and South Africa. The Philharmonic orchestra performs at Zoellner Arts Center and teams up with many of the world's top musicians.