The Husky Marching Band enters 2025 in its 96th season. Since 1929, the world famous Husky Band has been entertaining audiences from the shores of Lake Washington, to Australia, China, Ireland, Japan, and even Norway. Loyal UW Alumni and other band followers love to sing along to the University of Washington fight song “Bow Down to Washington,” or “Tequila!” which is known as Husky Band’s signature song. The first band at the University of Washington was started after two years of exhaustive efforts to establish a campus-wide marching band. The first rehearsal was held on Tuesday, March 5, 1901 at the University Armory. Students who participated in the band were permitted to miss compulsory military drill when it conflicted with practice. Don Myer, the bandmaster of the Seattle Military Band, led the first group. In 1929, Walter Welke organized the official ‘Husky Marching Band.’ Starting with an initial membership of just 34, Welke worked to quickly build the size of the band. The ensemble consisted of 70 members just two years later. The new Husky Marching Band took over the ROTC band’s duties of performing at football games. Under the direction of Welke, the band adopted its current ‘high-stepping’ style of marching and became an innovator in the combination of on-field drill and musical performance. It was also noted as being one of the few bands on the west coast that was composed entirely of University students, a point of pride in the newly formed ensemble.
