Marching Band
The BEST Band in the Bay!
The Spartan Marching Band, under the direction of James Long, takes the field in Spartan Stadium each fall semester, creating an electrifying atmosphere for the thousands of fans engaged by our thrilling performances. Our unique combination of brass, woodwind and percussion creates a driving sound that is one of a kind. With the addition of the dazzling Color Guard, and the fabulous SJSU Dancers, the band also has a visual style uniquely its own.
The Pride of the Spartans
The members of the Spartan Marching Band are students from every field of study on campus, from first year undergraduate through graduate students, including several "open university" members. They rehearse eight hours per week, preparing new music and maneuvers, and receive up to two units of academic credit. At each home game, the Spartan Marching Band performs a completely new halftime show, plus a pre-game show and a post-game concert. A source of Spartan Stadium spirit, the band reflects all the color and fanfare of major university sports pageantry. As well as our football games, the Spartan marching Band also performs at major school and community events throughout the year.
VIDEO PLAYLIST
OUR SECTIONS
Winds
The Spartan Marching Band consists of a variety of instruments, to create a dynamic sound that is both unique and entertaining. The Winds section includes: Trumpets Mellophones Trombones/Bass Trombones Baritones/Euphoniums Sousaphones Piccolos Clarinets Alto Saxophones Tenor Saxophones
The SJSU Spartan Color Guard performs choreographed dances and routines with various equipment (flags, rifles, sabres, etc.) to enhance and interpret the music of the SJSU Spartan Marching Band.
The SJSU Drumline is a battery unit of snare drums, bass drums, tenor drums, and cymbals that performs with the marching band throughout the Fall semester.
SJSU Dance team auditions are held each spring to determine membership for the following fall semester. Most dancers that audition have had many years of dance studio experience in a variety of dance styles. High school seniors are welcome to audition. Students who are chosen will become members of the Spartan Marching Band class and receive two units of credit.
Our Director
Dr. Grant Knox is a California-based music educator, conductor, and musicologist. Currently, Knox serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands at San José State University. Knox’s research interests focus on 20th-century African-American composers, interdisciplinary collaboration in wind band performance, sound studies and musical expression in collegiate athletics, and popular music studies. His teaching experience spans various levels, from high school to university, where he has led concert bands, marching bands, and pep bands. Knox has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented on the music of William Grant Still and Ulysses Kay at various national and international conferences. Dr. Knox holds degrees in music education from Murray State University (BM ’18), musicology from the University of Arizona, and conducting from Arizona State University (DMA '25).
