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Elbel Field with Michigan Marching Band.
Photo Courtesy: michigandaily.com
Hail! to Elbel Field
Hail! to Elbel Field
By: Zachary Freed
The sound of the rattling drums and blaring trumpets ring throughout the bustling streets of Ann Arbor. Even on a Wednesday afternoon, it is an amazing experience to hear our very own University of Michigan Marching Band rocking their instruments. If you are lucky enough to be on the southwest end of campus, you will likely hear the band. A three-minute walk to Elbel Field will reveal a Michigan Marching Band practicing for their next breathtaking performance, named for the man who invented the university's most famous tune.
You can not go wrong when listening to the marching band, but the most iconic song is definitely “the Victors” (also called “the Victors March”). “The Victors” was created in 1898 by Louis Elbel after the Michigan Wolverines beat the University of Chicago and went on to have an undefeated season. Elbel, a student of the University of Michigan school of music at the time, believed the University needed a more upbeat song to play when we won (Craig). With the adrenaline of the great win surging through his body, Elbel ran home and wrote what we know today as our Michigan Fight Song (Craig). Very soon after, the song began to become part of the University of Michigan celebration and has become a big part of our tradition today. According to the book “Victor's March” by Louis Elbel, Elbel began conducting the band years later at homecoming games and other events, as a way to honor the genius behind a song that unites our entire Michigan community.
Louis Elbel conducting the Michigan Marching Band in the “The Victors” (1958). Photo Courtesy: Michigan Day by Day
The name Elbel, of German origin, means “noble," "bright," and "shining.” (Elbel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms). A perfect fit for a man who was able to create music that has inspired and moved so many. The specific song in question, “The Victors,” is a name used to describe true winners and a well-earned victory. The name seems commonplace in the tradition of Michigan today, but the name behind the song is brilliantly created, a perfect way to describe watching Michigan sports and being part of the Michigan community, “a true winner”.
One of the reasons our Michigan Marching Band always sounds so good is due to the amount of practice they put in. One of the main places the band practices is our very own Elbel Field. But before it was called Elbel Field, it used to be Wines Field. Wines was a prominent educator in the Ann Arbor Community and was a long-time teacher at Ann Arbor High School. The field, which used to be used for Ann Arbor High School football games, was named after Wines to honor his impact on those around him. When the University of Michigan acquired the Ann Arbor School for more land, they also received Wines Field. When the Michigan Marching began to practice on the field, the University community saw it as the perfect opportunity to honor Louis Elbel (Ann Arbor School History (Timeline of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County History). From then on, Elbel field has served as a perfect practice ground for the Marching Band, and will always stand as a reminder of the beautiful beginning of our “Victors March.”
Sadly, Elbel Field will be lost to time soon. The Michigan Daily reports that where the field now sits will be the home of the university's newest dorm project. The article says the marching band will be relocated to a different field a few blocks away.
For the time being though, Elbel Field is not only a place where the University of Michigan Marching Band practices but it is also home to two baseball diamonds, a soccer field, two football fields, a sand volleyball court, and a pavilion with benches to sit. It is a great place to hang out with friends, listen to band practice, or play a variety of sports. Hanging out in such a beautiful place reminds us of the power of music and how Elbel’s song has brought so many U of M students together.
Works Cited
“Ann Arbor School History (Timeline of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County History).” Davetgc.com, http://davetgc.com/Ann_Arbor_School_History.html.
Craig, Sarah. “Explained: Why Was ‘the Victors’ Written?” The Michigan Daily, 20 Apr. 2021, https://www.michigandaily.com/uncategorized/explained-why-was-victors-written/.
“Elbel Name Meaning, Family History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms.” HouseOfNames, https://www.houseofnames.com/elbel-family-crest.
Elbel, Louis. The Victors March. BandMusic PDF Library, Original Copyright: 1899, https://bmpdf.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/pdf/V/VictorsMarch.pdf.
Schachinger, Julia. “Photo Essay: The Heartbeat of the Michigan Marching Band.” The Michigan Daily, 18 Nov. 2022, https://www.michigandaily.com/multimedia/photo-essays/photo-essay-the-heartbeat-of-the-michigan-marching-band/.
“1898 : Louis Elbel Pens Iconic Fight Song ‘the Victors’ (2018-11-24).” Michigan Day by Day, 24 Nov. 2018, https://harris23.msu.domains/event/1898-louis-elbel-pens-iconic-fight-song-the-victors/.
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