Baltimore's Marching Ravens is an all volunteer organization committed to bringing quality musical entertainment and a "traditional football atmosphere" to all Ravens home games. Comprised of more than 300 musicians, flagline, color guard and equipment crew, Baltimore's Marching Ravens is the largest musical organization associated with the NFL.
In addition to our game day duties, the band also stays active during the offseason by promoting the Ravens, Baltimore, and our city's pride by taking part in various local events (parades, fan festivals, etc). Occasionally, the band takes its show on the road by representing the city of Baltimore and the State of Maryland in other cities for events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade and President Bush's Inaugural Parade.
Starting in March and running until the end of the football season, the band rehearses every Wednesday night from 7pm 'til 10pm at the Ravens Training Complex in Owings Mills.
If you're interested in joining, contact band president John Ziemann by e-mail or phone (410) 557-8335.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.ravensband.org
Looking forward to seeing you!!!
Table of Contents
News!
The latest on Baltimore's Marching Ravens
2/2/09: The Marching Ravens are enjoying a few weeks off before returning to rehearsal on March 4, 2009. If you are interested in auditioning for the band, please call band president John Ziemann at 410-557-833512/05/08: The Ravens-Redskins will be seen nationwide on NBC Sunday night at 8 p.m. The Marching Ravens will be performing Bohemian Rhapsody during halftime
10/24/08: This Sunday the Ravens will be inducting Jonathan Ogden into the Ring of Honor. You can catch the Marching Ravens in performance at our pre-game concert by Camden Yards and on the field minutes before kickoff
10/2/08: The Marching Ravens will be performing "Summertime" and "Big Noise from Winnetka" at halftime this Sunday
9/19/08: This Sunday the Marching Ravens will be performing Metallica's "Enter Sandman" and "Dirty Deeds" by AC/DC at halftime
9/4/08: The Ravens regular season opens this Sunday. The Ravens Band will be performing a concert outside Camden Yards at 11:30, followed by our pre-game and halftime shows at the stadium. This week we will be featuring the music of Ozzy Osbourne
8/1/08: Come see the Marching Ravens at the Howard County Fair on Sunday. We'll be performing a one hour concert starting at 12:30
7/11/08: Read about the Marching Ravens' Fourth of July experience at www.baltimoreravens.com
7/3/08: The Marching Ravens will be making their way across the state of Maryland this weekend. Look for us in Dundalk, Towson and Catonsville on July 4 and Havre de Grace on July 5
6/5/08: The Marching Ravens Pep Band, featuring herald trumpets, will be performing at the opening ceremony of the Maryland Special Olympics in Towson Friday night
5/19/08: The Marching Ravens are getting brand new uniforms this year! Read the full story here: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2008/05/The_Bands_New_Threads.aspx
4/29/08: The Marching Ravens Pep Band and Drum Line performed all day long at last weekend's Spring Football Festival. Read about it here: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2008/04/Playing_in_the_Band-_SFF.aspx
4/16/08: The NFL 2008 schedule is out! Check out our newly updated "Upcoming Performances" list
3/17/08: Read about the Marching Ravens' performance in the St. Patty's Parade on baltimoreravens.com
3/11/08: Baltimore's Marching Ravens are featured once again in the Baltimore St. Patrick's Day Parade, taking place this Sunday March 16
2/7/08: Members of the Marching Ravens participated in the Maryland Polar Bear Plunge. Read about it here: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/RavensTown/Default.aspx?id=31226
1/2/08: The Ravens' season is over. The Marching Ravens will return to practice March 5. Please contact band President John Ziemann if you are interested in auditioning for the band
12/28/07: For the final home game of the year, the Marching Ravens will do an encore performance of "Summertime" and "Big Noise from Winnetka" at halftime
11/29/07: The Marching Ravens' halftime show during Monday night's game vs. the Patriots will be "Summertime" and "Big Noise from Winnetka"
11/23/07: The Marching Ravens appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade yesterday
11/15/07: This Sunday the Marching Ravens will perform Green Day hits at halftime, including "American Idiot," "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "Holiday"
9/13/07: The Marching Ravens will be performing our Carlos Santana show during halftime of Sunday's game vs. the New York Jets. Songs include "Smooth" and "Everybody's Everything."
8/22/07: The Marching Ravens are celebrating their 60th Anniversary in 2007. Read more in "Marching Ravens: An Institution." http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Common/Article.aspx?id=16044
8/15/07: The Marching Ravens will do an encore performance of its popular Styx show during halftime of the Ravens-Giants pre-season game Sunday night.
8/10/07: The Marching Ravens will be performing its Styx show during halftime of the Ravens-Eagles pre-season game Monday night. The show consists of "A.D. 1928/Rockin' the Paradise," "Mr. Roboto" and "The Best of Times."
7/5/07: Visit http://www.foxbaltimore.com/players/news/raw_news/video.shtml and click "Dundalk 4th of July Parade" for a video of the Marching Ravens on Baltimore's Fox 45.
6/29/07: Saturday's Havre De Grace Parade kicks off the first of four parades the Marching Ravens will be performing in to celebrate our nation's birth. The parade route travels down Union Ave. and steps off at 2 p.m.
5/31/07: Come see the Pep Band play during the Ravens Roost convention parade in Ocean City this Saturday, June 2. We will be at the reviewing stand at 26th St. and Baltimore Ave. Parade begins at 10 a.m.
5/30/07: The PressBox story on the band can be found here: http://www.pressboxonline.com/story.cfm?id=2045
Upcoming Performances
- August 9, 2009: Howard County Fair
Join Baltimore's Marching Ravens!
Baltimore's Marching Ravens is looking for talented musicians and marchers. Auditions are ongoing in all sections!If you are:
* Aged out of drum corps or recently graduated from high school or college but want to continue marching
* Unable to fulfill the time commitment required from a drum corps or college band but can spare Wednesday nights
* Currently involved in other musical organizations but want to grow and learn as a musician while meeting new people
* Out of practice with your instrument but would like to start playing again
* Not yet collecting Social Security and therefore too young to join the Redskins Marching Band
* A fan of the Baltimore Ravens or football in general
then Baltimore's Marching Ravens may be the perfect fit for you.
Feel free to bring friends from your school band, community band or drum corps. Non-instrumentalists are also welcome and encouraged to join the equipment crew or medical staff.
We practice Wednesday nights from 7-10 at the Ravens training complex in Owings Mills, MD. Please note that this is a volunteer organization and that members of the band are *not* compensated.
Please contact band president John Ziemann for more information.
Phone: (410) 557-8335
E-mail: marchingravens@hotmail.com
We look forward to seeing you!
Press
- Marching Ravens Honor Their Own
- The band gives thanks for its more than 20 current or former members who have served or are serving in the military overseas.
- Marching Ravens Take the Field
- A Southern Living photo essay on the Marching Ravens.
- Be a Part of History with the Marching Ravens
- An article about the Marching Ravens in Bmore Live, a local entertainment publication.
- Band Celebrates Independence...Four Times
- The Marching Ravens marched in four different parades around Maryland on July 4th & 5th.
- The Band's New Threads
- After 10 years, the Marching Ravens are finally getting brand new uniforms.
- Playing at Spring Football Festival
- The Marching Ravens Pep Band and Drum Line provided hours of entertainment at the 2008 Spring Football Festival at M&T Bank Stadium.
- Irish Eyes Smile on Marching Ravens
- Baltimore's Marching Ravens perform in the 2008 Baltimore St. Patrick's Day Parade.
- Marching Ravens Brave Cold Waters for a Good Cause
- Several members of the Marching Ravens raised more than $2,800 for Special Olympics by participating in the Polar Bear Plunge.
- Are You Ready for Some Football...er, Marching Band?
- Halftime Magazine's in-depth look at how marching bands play an increasingly important role in professional football.
- Marching with Macy's
- A member of the Marching Ravens chronicles the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade experience.
- Marching Ravens Debut at Macy's
- WBAL Radio reports on the Marching Ravens' debut performance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 22, 2007. Click "Listen" to hear more.
- Baltimore's Marching Ravens Head for Macy's
- WBAL Radio reports on the Marching Ravens' impending trip to Manhattan for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Click "Listen" to hear John Patti's report.
- Best Bet
- The Baltimore Sun calls the Ravens Band's appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade a "Best Bet" for the holiday weekend.
- Marching Ravens: An Institution
- A story from the Baltimore Ravens web site about the Marching Ravens' 60th Anniversary, celebrated in 2007.
- Ravens Fans Storm Ocean City In Waves
- The PressBox covers the 2007 Ravens Roost Convention in Ocean City, which featured a performance by the Baltimore's Marching Ravens Pep Band.
- And the Band Played On
- A cover story for the PressBox, Baltimore's weekly sports newspaper, on the band's 60th anniversary.
- Outside the Lines
- The fallout from the Colts' nighttime escape from Baltimore, including some footage on the Colts Marching Band and Baltimore's Marching Ravens starting at about the 2:30 mark in the video.
- Band Has Low Notes For Colts
- LA Times article about how the Colts leaving Baltimore affected the band.
- Baltimore Police Video Feature
- Baltimore Police Department Deputy Major Mary Eilerman plays snare drum in the Marching Ravens. To view this video story click on "Deputy Major Marching to Ravens Beat" under the Recent News Table.
- Canton Rep Newspaper article
- The Canton Rep in Canton, Ohio, recaps the Ravens-Browns game on Dec. 17, 2006, including a paragraph on the Marching Ravens.
- Stepping Out to the Beat
- A photo slideshow featuring Baltimore's Marching Ravens. Be sure to turn up your speakers!
- Marching Orders
- Baltimore Sun reporter Rick Maese finds out what it takes to be a member of Baltimore's Marching Ravens.
- Baltimore's Marching Ravens Crank It Up
- Scott Wykoff from WBAL AM 1090 radio broadcasted live from the Marching Ravens' September 17 game day rehearsal on the parking lot outside the stadium. Listen to his commentary and interviews with John Ziemann, band members, and even nearby tailgaters.
- Strike Up the Band
- A Chargers fan's account of the Oct. 1, 2006, game at the Ravens. Scroll down to "Strike up the Band" to read what he has to say about Baltimore's Marching Ravens.
- Fliers from Redskins Cross Line, Literally
- Marching Ravens President John Ziemann is about the last person you'd expect to be mailed a Washington Redskins season-ticket solicitation.
- Reaction to Baltimore Sun article
- The Baltimore Ravens NFL Fanhouse blog responds to the Baltimore Sun article in which John Ziemann speaks about receiving Washington Redskins promotional materials. "The lesson? The same as in high school: don't mess with the marching band."
- The Band Plays On
- ESPN.com article about Marching Ravens drummer Dave Ciafolo, who joined the band the same night the Baltimore Colts secretly left town.
- Richard Otto obituary
- Richard Otto, a former drum major for the Baltimore Colts marching band, passed away in February 2006.
- City Paper article
- In 2002 the Baltimore City Paper did a feature on Baltimore's Marching Ravens titled "I'm With the Band." Read it here.
- MPT Feature
- In 2005, Maryland Public Television (MPT) visited Baltimore's Marching Ravens at practice to film a piece for their weekly show "Artworks This Week."
- NFL.com AFC Preview
- Gregg Easterbrook previews the AFC for the 2005 season. Scroll down to the "sideline note" in the Baltimore section. Easterbrook says that between the league's only male cheerleaders and the NFL's only marching band (incorrect, by the way), "nobody does the game-day show better than the Baltimore Ravens."
- Yamaha sponsorship
- Baltimore's Marching Ravens and the Houston Texans Bull Pen Pep Band, the former boasting a long, rich history, the latter currently enjoying its first season, play percussion instruments supplied by Yamaha.
- Honoring Johnny Unitas
- The Baltimore Ravens marching band forms the No. 19 on the field during a tribute ceremony to Johnny Unitas before the Ravens game against the Tampa Bay on September 15, 2002.
- Ravens Band, Other Maryland Groups, Set to March in Inaugural Parade
- In 2001, Baltimore's Marching Ravens was chosen to represent the state of Maryland in George W. Bush's inauguration parade.
- Ravens Give Marvin Hamlisch a Baltimore Sendoff
- Baltimore's Marching Ravens was at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore June 11, 2000 to join renowned composer, musician and conductor Marvin Hamlisch for his last performance as SuperPops Conductor for the 1999-2000 Baltimore Symphony Super Pops Series.
- Von Paris: The Official Mover of Baltimore's Marching Ravens
- Von Paris is the "Official Mover of the Baltimore Marching Ravens" - an internationally recognized marching band. It takes a special, dedicated trailer to transport the entire band's gear, instruments, and uniforms.
- Tooting Their Horns for the Ravens
- A 2003 article on the McDaniel College web site profiling two members of the Marching Ravens.
- IUP Magazine article
- Several alumni of IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) have been members of Baltimore's Marching Ravens.
- Browns players scuffle with band, lose
- The Cleveland Browns players and coaches refused to leave the field at the appropriate time, so the band went on as scheduled. The lesson learned: don't mess with the band.
- Day One at the New Stadium
- A photo taken in the tunnels prior to the band's pre-game performance on opening day of the new Ravens stadium.
- Ravens Taking Band Under Their Wing
- A New York Times article from 1996, about how the then-new Baltimore Ravens embraced the Colts band.
Script Ravens!
Baltimore's Marching Ravens in action during pre-game festivities.
Marching Ravens Pregame
The Baltimore Ravens Marching Band form Ravens during the pregame show.
curated content from YouTube
2007 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Marching Ravens performing Green Day's "Holiday" while passing through Herald's Square
Band History
Chronology of the Baltimore Colts Marching Band/Baltimore's Marching Ravens
1947 - The Baltimore Colts' Marching Band is founded on September 71950 - The All-America Conference Colts join the National Football League. Following the 1950 season, the Colts football team folds
1951-1952 - The Baltimore Colts' Marching Band continues to operate without a football team
1953 - The NFL's Dallas Texans relocate to Baltimore and assume the name Baltimore Colts. The band is adopted by the new team
1953-1983 - The Baltimore Colts' Marching Band represents the Baltimore Colts until the team relocates to Indianapolis
1984-1995 - The Baltimore Colts' Band, Inc. continues to operate without a football team. The band performs at 30 NFL games, 23 Canadian Football League games and performed at the 1991 Pro-Football Hall of Fame enshrinement, parade, pre-game and halftime
The Colts' Band joins with Maryland Governor William Donald Schaefer in fighting for new stadiums for the Baltimore Orioles and an NFL franchise. The band made an appearance in March 1987 on the steps of the Maryland State House to do a concert promoting their support of the stadium project. Governor Schaefer says, "The Colts' marching band made the difference and turned the tide in winning the vote for the new stadium complex."
1996 - Art Modell moves his NFL franchise from Cleveland to Baltimore, renaming the team the Ravens
1997 - On September 7, the Baltimore Colts' Band celebrated its 50th anniversary at halftime of the Ravens-Bengals game
1998 - The Baltimore Colts Band performs for the final time on July 11 in a parade marking the opening of the ESPN Zone at the Baltimore Inner Harbor
Baltimore's Marching Ravens debut on August 8th at the opening of the new football stadium at Camden Yards for the Ravens-Bears preseason game
1999- The Marching Ravens appear in the 80th Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
2001 - The season includes performances with world renowned composer Marvin Hamlisch and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Inauguration Parade for President George W. Bush and the victory parade for the Super Bowl XXXV Champion Baltimore Ravens
2002 - The Marching Ravens perform at the Navy vs. Notre Dame game at Ravens Stadium
2003 - Baltimore Ravens announce M&T Bank as the sponsor of the Marching Ravens in support of their commitment to the community. Yamaha signs on as a sponsor of the Drumline
2005 - The Sports Legends at Camden Yards museum opens a Colts Marching Band/Marching Ravens exhibit, with all seven uniforms from the band's history
2006 - Baltimore's Marching Ravens signs a one year sponsorship with Sabian Cymbals
2007 - The Marching Ravens appear in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, making history as the first NFL marching band to perform
2008 - The band gets new, updated all black uniforms
Links
- ravensband.org
- The official web site of Baltimore's Marching Ravens.
- Baltimore's Marching Ravens
- The Baltimore's Marching Ravens page on the official web site of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens.
- Wikipedia entry: Baltimore's Marching Ravens
- Baltimore's Marching Ravens page on Wikipedia.
- Marching Ravens exhibit at Sports Legends Museum
- Sports Legends at Camden Yards opened in May 2005. Located in historic Camden Station at the gateway to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the Museum features the history, heritage, and heroes of Maryland's sports in the largest multi-sports museum in the country. One of the main exhibits in Sports Legends at Camden Yards is a salute to the music of Maryland pro-football with a display dedicated to the Baltimore Colts' Marching Band / Baltimore's Marching Ravens.
- Big Ed's Band Foundation
- Ravens offensive lineman Ed Mulitalo has formed Big Ed's Band Foundation. It exists to develop the gift of music in our children by supporting the growth and development of instrumental music through providing instruments, repair, and other musical support for Baltimore schools.
- Marching Ravens Ringtones
- Download Marching Ravens ringtones for your cell phone! Two versions available: Ravens chant, and the Ravens Fight Song.
- Baltimore's Marching Ravens MySpace
- The NEW Marching Ravens MySpace page. Add us to your friends!
- Marching Ravens Facebook Group
- Join the Marching Ravens group on Facebook!
- Marching Ravens Drumline on MySpace
- Check out the Marching Ravens Drumline MySpace page for more information on the drumline's activities and to hear their cadences.
- Von Paris: The Official Mover of Baltimore's Marching Ravens
- Von Paris is the "Official Mover of the Baltimore Marching Ravens" - an internationally recognized marching band. It takes a special, dedicated trailer to transport the entire band's gear, instruments, and uniforms.
- WikiHow
- WikiHow article: How to join Baltimore's Marching Ravens
- Cameronwilley.com
- News and information about Baltimore's Marching Ravens' drumline and trumpet section.
- Answers.com
- Information about Baltimore's Marching Ravens from Answers.com
- Wikipedia entry: Baltimore Ravens
- Wikipedia entry on the Baltimore Ravens. Mentions the old Baltimore Colts band and Baltimore's Marching Ravens.
- Wikipedia entry: Music at sporting events
- Wikipedia entry on "Music at Sporting Events." Includes the history, plus music typically heard at baseball, basketball and football games. Includes a reference to the Marching Ravens and a link to our web site.
- Ravens Band display
- When you see Baltimore's Marching Ravens out in the community, look out for our tabletop display to learn more about us.
- NFL's Ravens Choose Stanbury Uniforms
- Stanbury Uniforms has once again been chosen to provide the look for Baltimore's Marching Ravens, this being the third time the team has selected Stanbury to provide uniforms for the band.
Top 10 Reasons to Join Baltimore's Marching Ravens
- Seats in the 100 level of the East endzone at M&T Bank Stadium for every Ravens home game
- Indoor rehearsals at the Ravens' state-of-the-art practice facility in Owings Mills, MD
- Yamaha and Sabian sponsorships and backing from M&T Bank
- Transportation on luxury coach buses
- Community appearances at Baltimore's St. Patrick's Day parade, area Fourth of July celebrations, the Maryland Special Olympics, the annual Ravens Roost convention in Ocean City, the Mayor's Christmas Parade and more
- Opportunity for national exposure on Sunday or Monday night primetime games and invitations to important events outside of the Baltimore area, such as Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
- Lunch provided on game days
- Performing pre-game and halftime shows in front of more than 70,000 fans
- No membership fees
- A repertoire of wide-ranging music that includes John Philip Sousa, Metallica, Chuck Mangione, Queen, Earth Wind & Fire and Ozzy Osbourne
Available on Amazon.com
Fumbleheads
A movie based loosely on the Baltimore Colts/Ravens Marching Band.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/29/2009) 
Reader Feedback
submit
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Reply
- Erin Erin Nov 5, 2008 @ 8:41 pm
- Hey jen, dont know if you remember me (did drumline...everything. Jez called me 'Drum Whore) anyway, just wanted to say, i heard you guys on the radio. Maybe september i clearly heard 'Ozzy Medley'. thought it was awesome. you guys really sound good. wish i could still play.
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Reply
- Jen1026 Jen1026 Mar 27, 2008 @ 8:03 am
- KB, you didn't leave your contact info, but I hope you see this. We don't have an official age minimum, so please feel free to call band president John Ziemann at (410) 557-8335 to discuss auditioning for the band. Hope to see you soon!
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Reply
- KB KB Feb 20, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
- Do you have to be 18 to do this? Im 14 and im a good snare drummer
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Reply
- Bob Warfield Bob Warfield Nov 25, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
- Hi Jen!
I'm the trombone player that mentioned Shippensburg to you. Just thought I'd say "hi" and say I was viewing the video. Looks good!
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Reply
- seitler seitler Sep 14, 2006 @ 9:20 pm
- Jen, get this lens in the new AFC North Squidoo Group, now! ;)
Baltimore Ravens Fight Song!
Flying high,Fierce pride in our eyes
The Ravens of Baltimore.
On dark wings we fly,
Honor bound for the sky
Over Maryland we'll always soar.
For glory we vie,
And our town will stand high
To our foes we say "Nevermore!"
'Cause it's fight, fight,
With all of our might
For our old Baltimore
by Jen1026
I'm Jen, the trumpet section leader of Baltimore's Marching Ravens.
If you'd like to get in touch with the band, leave feedback on our guestbook or vi...
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