1973 - 1975 Sounds Evening Formation, Texas A&M University #AggieBand #FTAB #Aggies

#AggieBand #FTAB #Aggies Students in 1973 stood on the shoulders of giants. Former students (our fathers, uncles, cousins, brothers and friends) went before us, serving in all branches - in World War 2, Korea and Vietnam. Some received the highest combat decoration, the Congressional Medal of Honor. Some received other military decorations such as the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Silver Star. Many never returned home. In the Band Room, a large American flag was displayed, a gift from the family of a former Aggie Bandsman killed in action in Vietnam. Perhaps the flag is still displayed there. A few slides were found as well as 8mm film reels and an audio cassette tape in a box. The tape was labeled "Texas A&M evening formation 1975." The audio track of this clip is part of that tape and is not meant to be synchronized with any particular portion of this video, but to serve as an example of the sounds of the Corp or Cadets living and dining quarters as the Corp Bugler sounds Retreat (Evening Formation). The 8mm film clips in this video are originally silent. Texas A&M Drum & Bugle Corp (a small group of Aggie Bandsmen composed of brass and percussion) provided music for Retreat ceremony and march to chow at Duncan Dining Hall. Members of the Aggie Band held Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corp contracts, as junior and senior cadets. Enrollment in ROTC for Aggie Band underclassmen was mandatory. 1963 - The Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas - renamed Texas A&M University - Members of the Corp in 1973 weren't far removed from "The Old Army" 1965 - Corp of Cadets enrollment became voluntary 1971 - Guion Hall - South end of MiIitary Walk was demolished - Link here https://tinyurl.com/yckz7sf3 Fortunately, Sbisa Hall at the North End of Military Walk was preserved 1974 - The Corp of Cadets, as students and former students knew it, was forever changed. Enrollment 1942 - about 6,400 Enrollment 1963 - about 8,100 Enrollment 1965 - about 9,400 Enrollment 1973 - about 18,400 source: https://tinyurl.com/yw73hhzp 00:01 Originally known as "the new area" built in 1939, the home of the Corp of Cadets in the 70's. Mandatory enrollment in Corp was dropped about 1965 and enrollment in the Corp of Cadets gradually decreased over the years. Corp housing once occupied campus-wide was later occupied by civilian students. The very familiar call to attention at formation in front of Dorm 11 "Battalion - Attention" can be heard. The band was a Battalion formed in two companies and was still designated as "Company" and "Battery" from long standing tradition. Infantry Band Company and Artillery Band Battery. 00:05 Preparing for evening formation and chow. Three senior cadets in the foreground have their "Jump Badge" proudly affixed to their caps and uniform. White Band guidon bearer stays at attention. White Band Company (legacy Infantry Band) underclassmen in 4 platoons undergo brief inspection. Duncan Dining Hall is visible in the background. The same activity is mirrored in the Maroon Band (legacy Artillery Band) nearest Dorm 11, Battery of 4 platoons. 00:20 Bugle Stand - 1975 - Once located near the center of campus and the Academic Building 00:30 Aggie Band at Battalion Strength in formation in front of Dorm 11 "Harrington Hall" the Band Dorm 1974 00:35 Texas A&M Drum and Bugle Corp 1974 00:45 Duncan Dining Hall, Family-Style dining with waiters 1975 00:50 (Then) Major Joe T. Haney directing the band in rehearsal in the E.V. Adams Band Building. The band still referred to the band building and "the Band Room" from the days when the band rehearsal was held in Dorm 11 on the 4th floor where about half the floor was open for band rehearsal wall-to-wall. 00:55 Saturday morning game-day drill practice 01:05 Corp of Cadets in Review on Kyle Field 01:10 Band forms up in front of Dorm 11 to march to the game at Kyle Field 01:33 Halftime drill "Uniform is Class A Summer" worn to EVERY FOOTBALL GAME halftime drill 1973 02:54 Band forms up in front of Dorm 11 to march to the game at Kyle Field "Uniform is Class A Winter" 1973 03:10 Reveille III marching in with her outfit, Company E-2. She served as Mascot from 1966 - 1975 03:14 Corp Trip - Houston, Texas 1973 03:19 Halftime drill "Class A Winter" uniform 1973 This compilation is from an 8mm silent home movie, 35mm slide collection and audio cassette recording made from a window in Dorm 11 in 1975.

Added 2 Sept 2026