Instrumentation
The Spartan Marching Band instrumentation of "all brass and sax" is notable among college bands in the United States. The Ohio State University and San Jose State University, both of which are all brass, are the only Division I marching bands with similar instrumentation. There are no flutes or clarinets in the SMB. Instead, E-flat cornets play the high "woodwind-like" parts. The extra brass and elimination of flutes and clarinets allows the full ensemble sound to fill large Big Ten stadiums. In addition to the percussion and color guard, each year the pregame block contains 238–241 additional personnel:
- 1 or 2 Drum Majors
- 1 to 3 Feature Twirlers
- 36 member color guard
- 36 Alto Saxophones
- 16 Tenor Saxophones
- 8 E flat Cornets
- 48 B Flat Trumpets
- 24 Mellophones
- 32 Trombones
- 16 Baritones
- 16 Sousaphones
- 12 Big Ten Flags
Read more about this topic: Michigan State University Spartan Marching Band