Varsity Band throws party for ‘On, Wisconsin!’

The annual Varsity Band Concert returns to the Kohl Center Thursday–Saturday, April 15–17, with all its usual pyrotechnics, thunder and brass. This year’s performance brings much more, however.

“The concert’s theme is the 100th anniversary of ‘On, Wisconsin!’” says Michael Leckrone, director of bands. “We’re going to make this the biggest birthday blowout you can imagine.”

When the group is on the football field, it’s the UW Marching Band. When it’s off the field, at a hockey or basketball game, it’s called the Varsity Band. This is its 36th annual concert. The event is a fundraiser for the 300-member ensemble, which is actually a one-credit class.

The concerts have grown over the years to circus dimensions, including aerial entrances and Leckrone’s notoriously gaudy apparel. Besides professional stage and lighting effects, explosions and mixed-media presentations, this year’s concert will feature several special guests. They include:

• Liam Teague, “The Paganini of the Steelpan”: Perhaps the finest steel drummer in the world today, Teague has performed at Kennedy Center and with the Czech National Symphony, St. Louis Symphony, Panama National Symphony. A strong advocate for original steelpan compositions, Teague has commissioned a number of significant composers to write for the instrument, including Michael Colgrass and Ben Wahlund.
• Sergei Belkin, accordionist: Belkin was born and raised in Russia, learning the accordion while still very young. His talent was recognized early, and he won many national music competitions, including the first place at the European New Names contest in 1992. An exciting and ebullient soloist, his repertoire ranges from classical to folk. After years of conservatory study, he traded Russian fame for U.S. immigration, and today lives in Madison. He regularly performs at festivals and events.
• Jon Schipper, trumpet: Schipper has performed with many outstanding pop stars, including Frank Sinatra Jr., The Temptations, and Sly and The Family Stone. Over the years, his bands have had the privilege of sharing the stage with Maynard Ferguson, Tower of Power, Kool and The Gang, Maceo Parker and many others.
• The most special guest of all, of course, is “On Wisconsin!” the university and state’s official song. “It was written by William T. Purdy and Carl Beck,” says Leckrone. “Purdy wanted to enter the song in a competition — for the University of Minnesota. But Beck, who had gone to UW–Madison, convinced him that they should give it to Wisconsin.”

It was an instant hit on campus, and today 18 other colleges and universities plus numerous high schools throughout the country have added their own lyrics to make the song their own.

John Philip Sousa called it “the finest college marching song ever written” and “the most stirring, enthusiastic college melody I have ever heard.” The song is often quoted in movie soundtracks or pop music, for example in The Beach Boys’ “Be True to Your School.” The Varsity Band will perform it in a variety of musical styles at the concert.

The concert also includes surprise guests and salutes to campus and state pride, with Badger musical favorites such as “Songs to Thee,” “Varsity,” “Jump Around” and “If You Want to be a Badger.”

One popular misconception that all performances of the Varsity Band concert always sell out. The opposite is true. “With 21,000 seats available over three nights, I think we can find room for everyone, especially for a birthday this important,” says Leckrone, “even if I have to move the tubas.”

The 36th annual Varsity Band Concert will be held Thursday–Saturday, April 15–17, at the Kohl Center. For tickets or more information, call 265-4120.

Did you know?

• The UW–Madison marching band was formed in 1885.
• Michael Leckrone became the marching band’s director in 1969 and coined the term “Varsity Band” for the group’s non–marching identity at hockey and basketball games.
• More than 300 students from every college and department annually join the group, which is actually a one-credit class.
• The first Varsity Band Concert was March 21, 1975, in Mills Concert Hall at the Humanities Building.
• The annual concert is a fundraiser for the Marching and Varsity Bands, and additionally assists the UW’s five concert wind ensembles.
• Around 21,000 annually attend the Varsity Band Concert.
• “On, Wisconsin!” was a famous phrase long before William T. Purdy and Carl Beck wrote their college fight song. It was used as a battle cry during the Civil War by the 24th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment.
• Sheet music for the song was first published in 1909, in Chicago. The first edition ran to a very rare 500 copies.
• William T. Purdy, who wrote the score, died quite young, of tuberculosis in 1918. The University of Wisconsin gave his two children full scholarships.
• Carl Beck, the song’s lyricist, lived until 1965. He worked as a trust adviser for New York’s Chase National Bank. He returned to campus fairly often, and in fact created additional lyrics in 1950 and 1959.
• “On, Wisconsin!” was made the official state song by an act of legislature in 1959, although it had already been used as such for many years. The state song lyrics differ from UW’s, and were written by Allan Adams and Dr. Filip Forsbeck.
• “On, Wisconsin!” is in the public domain. Despite popular rumors, it is owned neither by former Beatle Paul McCartney nor the estate of Michael Jackson.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of “On Wisconsin,” the Babcock Dairy Plant has created a special ice cream feature flavor named after the university’s beloved fight song.

The ingredients include a cheesecake-flavored ice cream base, fudge swirl and chocolate-covered cranberries.

When University Communications approached dairy plant manager Bill Klein about creating an ice cream for the occasion, he suggested using ingredients that represent foods for which Wisconsin is known.

Not only is Wisconsin recognized for its award-winning cheeses, but it produces more cranberries than any other state in the nation and provides more than half of the world’s supply, according to the Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association. Klein also noted that the state has a lot of great chocolatiers.

“On Wisconsin” will be sold at the Babcock Dairy Store and Memorial Union’s Daily Scoop. It will also be available at the UW Marching Band concerts at the Kohl Center April 15–17 at the arena’s Sweet Shoppe concession stand at Section 106.

Babcock Dairy has created special ice cream for other celebrations. Among them have been: Praise to Thee Our Almond Mocha for the university’s sesquicentennial and Strawbiddy in honor of Chancellor Biddy Martin’s arrival in 2008.