Marching Thunder
"The Marching Thunder" is the marching band of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. The Marshall University Marching Thunder is the largest and most visible student organization on campus. As the largest student organization on campus, the marching band provides entertainment and school spirit at football games, basketball games, and other community functions. History The first band at Marshall University was organized in 1902 and consisted of twenty members. G.B. Able, a part-time music teacher was the director. However, it was not until 1925 that the band became a permanent ensemble. The organize was John O. Muldoon, head of the Department of Rural Education. The band came under the direction of music faculty member, Harry E. Mueller in 1928. Mueller continued as director until 1946, when Earl Workman, a 1939 graduate of Marshall, was appointed director. He was replaced by Thomas O'Connell in 1948, who held the position until 1964. The band during World War II The band was an all-male organization until 1948, when women were admitted to the concert band. In 1951, enrollment in band every semester became mandatory for instrumental music majors, and women were admitted to participate in the marching band. Since then the bands have