The first marching band unit of record at the University in the fall of 1868 was a tenor drum played by Will A. Reiss, bass drum played by Will Crane and fife played by George H. Lyman. After Christmas these three were joined by several brass players who brought instruments from home. Following the University′s purchase of a set of brass instruments in 1870 sixteen band members petitioned the administration for a teacher. I.W. Colberg, a music teacher in Urbana, was hired to provide music lessons and marching drills for two years until the spring of 1873. As part of the Military Department the band provided music for battalion drills, chapel exercises and ceremonies.