About Us
Our History
The Ben Davis Marching Band is known as one of the longest-running Marching programs in Indiana. Founded in 1918, we’re a 9-Time winner of the Indiana State Field Show Championship, a 5-time winner of the Indiana State Fair Marching Contest, and a 14-time ISSMA State Champion.
We set the Indiana State Record for the most consecutive Class A State Championship wins, with 5 in a row from 1984-1988, and went on to win again in 1993.
We have performed for six U.S. Presidents – Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, and Ronald Reagan, and we represented the State of Indiana at the 1960 and 1984 Presidential Inaugurations.
In 2012, we marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California for the 7th time.
An annual Ben Davis Bands Tradition is marching in the Indy 500 Festival Parade, and we have appeared in the opening ceremonies for the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway several times.
At the 2000 Bands of America (BOA) Grand National Championship, we received the Al Castronovo “Mental Attitude” Esprit De Corps Award.
We’ve also appeared in many major performances and parades, including:
6ABC Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, Philadelphia, PA: 2019
Performed beside the USS Missouri in Honolulu, Hawaii in Spring of 2018
Walt Disney World Main Street Parade- Orlando, Florida: 2016
Hawaiian Classic – Appeared in a special performance in Honolulu, Hawaii with the “Royal Hawaiian Band” at Kapiolani Park, Waikiki and toured Oahu and Maui: 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2014
Disneyland Main Street Magic Days Parade- Anaheim, California:1963, 1972, 1979, 1985, 1991, 2006, 2012
Participant in the NFL Super Bowl Pregame Ceremony – 2012
Disneyland Main Street Magic Days Parade- Anaheim, California:1963, 1972, 1979, 1985, 1991, 2006, 2012
Indiana Percussion Association State Champions – Winter Percussion: 2002, 2006
Florida Magic Kingdom Parade Tour – Miami/Orlando, Florida: 2002
Fiesta Bowl Parade – Phoenix, Arizona and Disneyland Main Street Magic Days Parade – Anaheim, California: 1993, 1996
King Kamehameha Festival Parade – Honolulu, Hawaii: 1975, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1992, 1995
10th Pan American Games – Performed in the Opening Ceremonies for the World Wide Telecast: 1987
Marching Bands of America (MBA) Grand National Championship – Open Division Champion: 1983
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – New York City: 1977
Festival of States – St. Petersburg, Florida: 1964,1976
Festival of States – St. Petersburg, Florida: 1964,1976
King Orange Parade – Miami, FL: 1970, 1973
Sugar Bowl Parade – New Orleans, Louisiana: 1971
