Temple marching band celebrates 100 years of legacy, life lessons and fun
Coinciding with its 100th anniversary, Temple University’s Diamond Marching Band will be serving up some serious spirit this November at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This marks the band’s first appearance in the legendary annual holiday parade.
When JoAnn Wieszczyk, BYR ’13, steps onto the field these days, it’s not with a flute in hand but as the director guiding Moravian University’s marching band. A Temple University alum who once marched proudly with the Diamond Marching Band, she now spends her days teaching music, writing drills and leading rehearsals—proof of how her passion for marching band has come full circle.
“I'll never forget the first time I played ‘T for Temple U’ in rehearsal,” she said. “This ensemble connects many people in many ways, musicians of all majors and backgrounds. Current and future members are part of an important legacy and stand on the shoulders of all who have come before them.”
For senior band participant Xhulio Qamo, celebrating the band’s 100th anniversary marks a capstone to his Temple experience.
“Our 100th anniversary means more than I could ever put into words,” said Qamo, a Class of 2026 music education major and trombone section leader. “I am so grateful for everything that this band has given me—great memories, lifelong friends, many life lessons and the chance to be a part of something greater than myself. I really hope that I can help give this huge milestone of 100 years the true justice that it deserves.”
Over the last 100 years, the Diamond Marching Band has produced thousands of alumni, growing from its first 40 members to more than 200 annually. The ensemble has performed internationally, received numerous accolades, appeared in movies and become an internet phenomenon.
“It’s astounding to think about the impact the Diamond Marching Band has had on the university in the last 100 years,” said Robert Stroker, vice provost for the arts and dean of the Boyer College of Music and Dance and the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. “From the experiences of the band members each year, to students hearing the band at key university events and fans energized by the band at football games, the Diamond Marching Band is connected to countless core Temple memories. Additionally, through television and movie appearances, and soon a massive nationwide audience at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, they’ve shared the Temple spirit far and wide.”
Being ‘part of something special’
Qamo first learned about the Diamond Marching Band as a member of Temple’s Community Music Scholars Program (CMSP). CMSP delivers comprehensive, high-quality music education to school-aged Philadelphia children.
“Being in CMSP was an amazing opportunity for me because it gave me access to weekly lessons with a private teacher who ended up being a Temple student,” he said. “It was pretty cool because I had never really been to the Temple campus before that, so it familiarized me with the area so that I wasn't so dazed by the campus when I eventually came here for college.”
For other students, a family connection can serve as a launchpad to join the band. Carynn O’Banion, a Class of 2026 music education and trombone performance double major, is the daughter of Professor Phillip O’Banion in the Boyer College of Music and Dance.
“Having a dad who’s a professor here, I practically grew up knowing about Temple,” said O’Banion, who is also a trombone section leader in the Diamond Marching Band. “When it came time to look into colleges for myself, Temple was obviously on my list, and the Diamond Marching Band was actually one of my deciding factors in choosing Temple.”
She remembers seeing the Temple band perform an exhibition show during her first year in high school at a marching band competition.
“I had seen various videos and clips of the band growing up, but I got to stand right on the sideline and watch the entire show up close during the competition,” she said. “The energy and sound they gave off was insane, and they looked like they were having so much fun! I knew from that moment on that I would love to be a part of the band someday. Fast forward to now, and this is my fourth year in the band.”
The band welcomes students from every major, with about three-quarters of its members studying something other than music.
The marching band was also one of the main factors that drew Anuja Nanavaty, a junior criminal justice major with a minor in psychology, to Temple.
“My older sister was in the Diamond Marching Band from 2016 to 2020,” said Nanavaty, who serves as one of this year’s drum majors. “Ever since the first performance I saw, I knew I wanted to be part of something special and energetic. I could tell how happy she was in this band, and I knew I would have the same experience if I followed in her footsteps. I was right!”
From Lenfest Circle to Herald Square
The Diamond Marching Band will celebrate its centennial milestone on the national stage in November when it takes its Owl spirit from North Broad Street in Philadelphia to 34th Street in Manhattan for its first appearance in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
“Going to Macy’s is a bucket list item; every band wants to do it,” said Matthew Brunner, director of athletic bands. “We’ve applied in the past and didn’t get accepted, so to be representing Temple this year during our 100th anniversary is very exciting.”
The Diamond Marching Band is one of just 12 bands selected from more than 200 applicants nationwide to march the 2.5-mile route to Herald Square in Manhattan. This fall marks the 99th edition of the parade, which has been televised nationally on NBC since 1953 and is now viewed by millions across the country.
“Being a part of the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is so special to me,” said O’Banion. “Watching this parade on TV was one of my favorite family traditions growing up, so it feels like a surreal, full-circle moment getting to march and perform in it this year.”
Temple brings the vibes
Known by fans as “The Pride of the Cherry and White,” the Diamond Marching Band performs a traditional pregame show and different halftime shows at every home football game at Lincoln Financial Field. The band also travels to select away games and performs at other university events throughout the year.
The ensemble’s name carries the theme of the university’s diamond symbol, inspired by Temple founder Russell Conwell’s famous motivational lecture “Acres of Diamonds.” The iconic formation of the Temple “T” on the field is a staple of every pregame show—a tradition dating back to the late 1920s.
And runners may be familiar with the band from the annual Broad Street Run—where they cheer on participants as the course passes through Temple’s North Philadelphia campus.
Brunner’s passion for marching band began as a child and put him on a path that now marks his 18th year leading the Diamond Marching Band.
“One of my earliest memories is watching my uncle play trumpet in the Ohio State University marching band,” he said. “I remember being two years old and standing up to mimic the conductor.”
“After I finished my doctorate and was looking at jobs, Temple stood out as my first choice,” said Brunner. “The Temple role included all the reasons I wanted to get into college teaching. I’ve been here ever since.”
Brunner composes most of the band’s arrangements and notes that contemporary music has long appealed to him as well as integrating unique movements like the band’s signature dance move: the half-split.
“I’ve always been impressed by music that was current,” he said. “I enjoy figuring out what sounds right and translating it to a marching band. Picking the right popular song is a matter of timing, so you really have to hit it at the right time to make it work, such as our performance of ‘Idol’ by BTS, which was performed right when it was hot, and our show got one million views in five days.”
The band’s modern music selections engage performers and audience members alike— leading to viral moments and national recognition. Many shows feature hip songs, videos displayed on stadium screens and complex drill—or the musicians’ precise movements, positions and formations choreographed to the music.
“Our Panic! At the Disco show was the first show that got over a million views on YouTube,” said Brunner. “Other popular shows have featured music from Barbie, Stranger Things and most recently KPop Demon Hunters, which was our debut show this season.”
“My favorite performance has to be, without a shadow of a doubt, our Stranger Things show,” said Qamo. “It was a night game, which already played so well into the atmosphere and theme. The drill was the coolest by far, as the band took the form of the Mind Flayer from the show, and our step timing varied due to meter changes in the music. That show was by far the most memorable and my absolute favorite.”
The ensemble’s unique musical selections have garnered national attention, with appearances in movies like the 2013 Oscar-nominated The Wolf of Wall Street and the 2014 version of Annie, as well as appearances on television shows like Good Morning America, The Today Show, episodes of the CBS drama Madam Secretary and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
100 years of rhythm and excellence
Long before becoming a viral sensation, the band traces its roots to the Roaring Twenties, a time when jazz, blues, swing, dance band and ragtime were the most popular music genres of the decade.
Initially called the Temple Band, the Temple University Diamond Marching Band was founded in 1925 by Herbert E. McMahan, a senior in the Fox School of Business, in what was then known as the School of Commerce, who organized a 40-member ensemble of young men—mostly saxophonists.
Self-financed, the group performed at Temple football games, with Charles Golder of the Philadelphia Elks Band serving as its first director. In 1926, George Otto Frey took over, and by 1927, H. Edward Pike became the band’s first full-time director. During these early years, the now-iconic formation of the Temple “T” on the field was established—a tradition that continues today.
In 1935, the band performed at the first Sugar Bowl in a matchup between Temple and Tulane. In 1946, Dr. John H. Jenny succeeded Pike and named the group the Diamond Band. With many male students serving in World War II, the late 1940s saw women join the band for the first time. After the war, as veterans returned to campus, the program expanded significantly.
The 1950s and ’60s brought more growth and structure. Robert Childs founded the ROTC Band, while Howard Chivian led the Owl Band, a training ensemble for new members. Chivian became director of the Diamond Band in 1953 and was succeeded by Morry Helzner after his passing in 1957. An award in Chivian’s honor is still presented at Commencement.
A transformative era began in 1977 under Arthur D. Chodoroff, emeritus professor of instrumental studies, who led the Temple Bands program until 2011.
“Initially conceived as support for the football team, the program has grown to support and represent university events of all types,” said Chodoroff. “Now Temple students are introduced to the Diamond Marching Band at the fall Convocation and then see and hear the various bands throughout the year at events including football games, campus parades, men and women’s basketball games, concerts, and concluding each academic year, Commencement.”
Temple’s well-known “T for Temple U” cheer emerged on Dec. 17, 1982, during a men’s basketball game. Students wrote the cheer, and Chodoroff arranged the music. The cheer is still played at basketball games, football games and campus celebrations today.
Between 1973 and 2011, the concert band program expanded to include the Collegiate Band and Wind Ensemble, while the Symphonic Band developed into the nationally recognized Wind Symphony. From 1973–1991, the Temple Jazz Ensemble was also a part of the band program. Its success was a leading factor in the creation of the jazz studies program. During this time, the Basketball Band also grew—supporting both men and women’s teams and traveling to conference and NCAA tournaments.
“Fans watching the Marching Band from the early ’70s on witnessed its development from a traditional ‘picture’ band to a contemporary-style university marching band using modern field drills and custom musical arrangements for their pregame and halftime entertainment,” said Chodoroff.
Over the decades, the band has performed at Eagles games and in three more college bowl games, including two trips to the Mirage Bowl in Tokyo, Japan, as well as the “We the People 200 Parade,” celebrating the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution.
“I hope all the current and future students appreciate and enjoy the time that they participate in the Temple Band program,” said Chodoroff. “These opportunities, education, experiences—both musically and socially—and friendships will be with you for your lifetime.”
Perseverance conquers
“Perseverance conquers,” said Wieszczyk, who was a flute section leader and served as a drum major for two years in the Diamond Marching Band. “I fondly reflect on both playing and singing our alma mater. I have always believed that the persevering mentality in everyday life was actualized at Temple, beginning with the marching band. Now, as a university marching band director, I am constantly thinking about how I model and teach leadership and teamwork to my students. It is my favorite part of my job.”
Behind the band’s electrifying performances are hours of hard work—with new music and drills to learn every week as students balance their rehearsal schedules and academic commitments.
“They are some of the hardest-working, most loyal and most dedicated Temple supporters I have ever encountered,” said former Temple President Richard Englert, a longtime supporter of the band, who now serves as university chancellor. “They are at every game. Their performances are lively, engaging, highly proficient musically and very entertaining. Their enthusiasm is infectious. They are some of the best ambassadors for our university.”
Members need to audition for placement in the band—which is a for-credit course—and attend two-hour rehearsals that meet three times a week during the fall semester.
“The commitment is intense—preseason runs from nine to nine every day,” said Brunner. “We learn a brand-new show for every home game. The students memorize all the music, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the pride they take in that and to watch new members really find their stride as performers.”
Members embrace Brunner’s contemporary arrangements and enjoy the excitement that rolls through the stands during performances.
“Being in front of a crowd during a performance is one of the most thrilling feelings I have ever felt,” said Nanavaty. “I have learned in my years here that the energy you put out is the energy you will receive. To hear the crowd's screams and to see their smiling faces feels so rewarding, and it is truly one of my favorite parts of what I do.”
“The schedule can definitely be hectic, and, at times, overwhelming,” said Qamo. “It takes a lot of meticulous thought to plan your day-to-day schedule, but in my eyes, it is worth it. I try to get work done for classes as soon as possible so that I do not get behind, and whatever time I have left over, I use to relax to sort of ‘recharge’ myself a little for whatever comes next in my day.”
Performing is more than simply playing the songs; it’s about connecting with the audience, notes O’Banion.
“As a band, we strive to engage with every member of the audience—from the person in the very front and center row to the one sitting in the highest and farthest point in the stands,” she said. “After rehearsing so much to an empty audience during our rehearsals three times a week, it’s so rewarding to perform in front of a crowd and see how they all react.”
Sense of community and leadership
Members say being in the band has shaped their Temple experience—building leadership skills, discipline and community.
“Being a member of the band has taught me how to become a better person, how to discipline myself and how to carry myself as a person,” said Qamo. “It taught me how to work as well and got me in the habit of working hard. Everything that I have learned in the band are all things that I can take into every other part of my life.”
“One of the things I value most about the Diamond Marching Band is the student leadership it develops,” said Brunner. “Our students come from so many different majors, backgrounds and levels of musical experience, and learning how to work together is a huge part of the program.”
“I truly think I would be so lost without the band,” said Nanavaty. “The band allows me to feel safe and included. Everyone is there because they want to be. I have made the best friends and best experiences so far, and I owe it all to the Diamond Band.”
The close-knit community extends from fellow members to celebrating special Temple milestones, such as Chancellor Englert’s retirement from the presidency in 2021.
“I very much appreciated and found so touching their tribute to me and my wife,” he said. “When I retired from the presidency, the band paid me a terrific honor by forming my initials on the field in their formation at halftime and by playing ‘Sweet Caroline,’ my wife’s favorite song.”
Chancellor Englert emphasizes that a strong sense of community influences graduation rates.
“The band becomes a home away from home for the band students,” he said. “I am a firm believer that when students find a home in an activity, club or center in a large university, their participation keeps them more engaged and more likely to graduate.”
As one of the Diamond Band’s current 2,000-plus alumni, Wieszczyk points out that once students graduate, they’re always part of the band.
“Alumni are proud of the group they were a part of,” she said. “We are also proud to say of today’s Diamond Marching Band, ‘That's my band. That’s my alma mater.’”
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