Ann Arbor Stories | Ann Arbor District Library

Being a member of the University of Michigan Marching Band is hard work. Not only do you need to be a great musician, but you need to be able to march in tight formation, high-step and run around a football field in front of 100,000 people without missing a note. Attributes only men were fortunate enough to possess until 1972—when women were finally allowed to try out for the band without fear that they'd expect to be dismissed from rehearsals due to "female problems." Here's the story of how the girls got into the band and how women continue to make inroads in the traditionally male-dominated Ann Arbor institution. Music by the 1972, 1997 and 2016 University of Michigan Marching Band, and David Rose & His Orchestra. AADL LINKS General Articles: General Articles Band protests UM Women Form Band in Protest Coeds Formed All Women 'Band' To Protest Discriminatory Policies