As the Michigan Marching Band prepares for its upcoming season, it is now rehearsing at its new Elbel Field location.
“We are extremely fortunate at the University of Michigan to have such great support,” John Pasquale, Donald R. Shepherd Professor of Conducting and director of the Michigan Marching and Athletic Bands, said from the sidelines of the field at a recent rehearsal. “From the time the project for the new field first began, the university said they wanted to design a facility worthy of a world-class organization. And here it is.”
Elbel is now one block north of its former location on Hill Street, located at the corner of South Fifth Avenue and Madison Street. The field was moved to allow construction of the Central Campus residential complex, a 2,300-bed and 900-seat student residence and dining facility expected to open in 2026.
The new field features several improvements. Field markings are now identical to those in Michigan Stadium, allowing the musicians to practice marching to a specific spot, and it is now oriented north and south instead of east to west so the sun’s path is the same as at the Big House.
The instructional tower is taller and offers better views and more room. There is a state-of-the-art sound system for projecting and recording, as well as a large video board above the north end zone where the band can view the formation they just completed.
A supplementary turf field allows band members not performing during a given week to rehearse on the side, and once WiFi is installed, instructors can send music and formations to the students on their phones.
“I’m glad that a program with such a long and storied tradition of excellence has a facility to match,” said David Gier, dean of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance and Paul C. Boylan Collegiate Professor of Music. “We are not aware of another marching band facility like it anywhere in the country.”
Geoff Chatas, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said the band was issued a temporary certificate of occupancy in July. “I’m thrilled we were able to work with them so closely on the project and can’t wait to see them rehearse there myself,” he said.
The field now has bleachers for spectators. Crowds can resume their tradition of watching game-day rehearsals at the first home football game on Aug. 31, and be joined later by fans lining the band’s parade route from Revelli Hall to the stadium.
In the meantime, work continues around the edges of the field and at other sites nearby. Sidewalks, plants and a patio area with water stations for the band will be completed around the field in coming months.
At a recent rehearsal, Pasquale watched from the tower as students with matching U-M backpacks and instrument cases streamed through a gateway past an orange construction sign and chain link fences lined with blue tarps. Soon trumpet and trombone scales mixed with clanging trucks and buzzing saws as an excavator swiveled just outside the fence.
“The more noise the better. It works out perfectly for getting us used to all the energy and noise in the stadium,” Pasquale said. “We’ve basically been planning for the beginning of the season since January, and everything is ready. Bring it on.”
Erik Kreps
I’m so happy for the marching band and conductor, what fantastic new training grounds. As a commuter who parks in the nearby yellow lot, like many others I’ve been enjoying the band’s practice for years, from the days long ago when it was on a hot parking lot south of Hill — which somehow translated to legendary performances on gamedays, and I can only imagine will be even better now given their perfectly-scaled field. Meanwhile, during the work-week I can pretend they are playing just for me after a glorious day of accounting!