The facelift of the Washington Commanders continues as on Thursday; the team announced the return of the marching band after two years of inactivity.
Washington said the band would return to FedEx Field in a press release, and a new, revamped fight song would also debut. Washington’s previous fight song, “Hail to the Redskins,” is no longer an option after the name change in 2020. Could the new song be titled “Hail to the Commanders?” After all, “#HTTC” is the hashtag for Washington.
Washington’s marching band is the oldest in the NFL, originating in 1937. Washington’s fight song began in 1938. The new band and fight song will be a combination of Washington’s new rebrand with ties to the franchise’s past.
Washington co-owner and co-CEO Tanya Snyder helped design the marching band’s new look, which will feature the organization’s burgundy and gold colors with a tie to the present version of the Washington Commanders.
Here’s part of the release:
Today the Washington Commanders announce the official return of the marching band for the 2022 season with an open invitation for musicians in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area to audition to be part of the inaugural Commanders Marching Band. The 60-person ensemble will feature musicians from across the DMV and will be composed of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, and debut at the Commanders Training Camp this summer.
Washington’s marching band is the oldest marching band in the history of the NFL, originally founded in 1937 as an all-volunteer ensemble that pioneered halftime entertainment. The return of the marching band is part of the next phase of the team’s rebrand process, during which the team will work closely with fans to pull forward traditions under a new banner, including new, and newly revived, musical traditions. For example, the team plans to bring back a revamped arrangement of the team’s original fight song, which was first introduced in 1938. Additionally, the marching band look and uniforms, which Co-Owner and Co-CEO Tanya Snyder helped design, will blend the team’s iconic burgundy and gold colors with new details as a way to honor the band’s 85-year legacy while also embracing the team’s inaugural season as the Washington Commanders.
The 2022 Marching Band will be led by Washington’s first-ever Music Director, Maestro Jeffrey Sean Dokken, who will set the tone for a new era for the band. Dokken, a former NCAA varsity athlete, has a deep passion for the role music can play in enhancing the fan and player experience on gameday. Dokken is currently the Music Director and Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia, and the Artistic Director and Conductor of The Rome Symphony Orchestra in Rome, Georgia. He has an active career as a guest conductor and has performed in some of the world’s greatest venues, including The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, The Grand Opera House and more. Dokken also has had the distinct honor of conducting at the White House on several occasions.
As they have through the entire rebranding process, the Commanders have worked with the fans and will continue to do so as they revamp the fight song.
Longtime fans missed the marching band over the last two years. Sure, you can find a lot to be pessimistic about the franchise over the years, but no one was mad at the band when Washington scored.
Perhaps the return of old traditions — with a twist — will help bring back old fans while creating new fans.