For Dave Johnson and a large number of former NIU marching band members, 2024 marks a significant milestone. Formed in 1899, the Huskie Marching Band is one of the oldest university bands in the nation. Fans are familiar with the high quality of the music and performances, and the band remains one of the most beloved part of football games. At nearly 200 members, the “Pride of the Midwest” directed by Tom Bough reaches beyond game days to parades and university events.
The anniversary Johnson and others are marking this homecoming is the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Michael Embrey as director of the band in 1974. During his ten years as director, Embrey ushered in the first entrepreneurial era of the band that took it on the road to increase the visibility of the university and the band itself.
During those ten years, the band referred to itself as the NIU Huskie Marching Showband. Members of the band from that era reunite every year at NIU’s Homecoming, many of them playing as part of the alumni band with the current Huskie Marching Band.
The Showband’s 50th anniversary activities at this year’s Homecoming include a kickoff dinner on Friday, October 18 at Pizza Pros in DeKalb, followed by a Past Presidents Gala at the Red Roof Inn ballroom, and a number of events on Saturday, October 19. Saturday’s events feature a rehearsal with the alumni band and alumni Silverettes and the current Huskie Marching Band. Then, some pregame tailgating, performances at halftime and after the game and a Showband Alumni banquet at the DeKalb Elks Club.
Johnson was part of the band from 1976 to 1981, playing the euphonium, baritone and bass trumpet. He earned a bachelor’s in industry and technology engineering and his master’s in industrial management while also serving as president of the band for part of that time. He, like many of his former bandmates look forward to reuniting every fall.
“As you get older you gain perspective,” Johnson said. “I look back now and that was my group and this was a great thing where we got to be a part of the university. I still have many, many friends from that era. Some of us get together and watch the Super Bowl each year, now 45 years after we played together at NIU.”
During those ten years under Embery, the marching band raised money that allowed them to travel to places like New Orleans where they played in three Mardi Gras parades, to California where they performed during an NIU game at Long Beach State and then during a Los Angeles Rams game at the LA Coliseum. During that same time they frequently played at Chicago Bears games.
“That was back when the NFL was more open to having college bands play their halftimes,” Johnson said. “It was a great experience.”
Now retired after a career in industry, Johnson says he feels the band played a key role in his success. “I truly believe that the leadership skills I developed in my two years as president of the band led to that,” he said. “I’ve been very fortunate in my life and I realize that being a part of the band was so important my personal growth and development. My wife and I try to help support the band in any way we can.”
For more information, visit the NIU Showband 50th Anniversary website at showband50.com.
