The Marian College Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps
For more than a dozen years, the corps was the heartbeat of the college, but over time it sadly faded 
away. The new marching band and drum and bugle corps will give students the chance to march with pride for Marian University once again.
In 1964, Marian College student John Sweany had a vision to bring the excitement that he experienced through his high school marching band to Marian College. With only six classmates and some bargain instruments, John quickly formed the Marian Blue Knights—the first college Drum and Bugle Corps in the United States.
During its existence, the Marian Blue Knights performed at:
- Walt Disney World
- Indianapolis 500 Festival Parade
- Niagara Falls Blossom Festival
- Kentucky Derby Parade
- Holland Tulip Festival
“Being in that Drum and Bugle Corps in college certainly changed me. I never had an opportunity to participate in something like that before. It gave me a sense of esteem and belonging. It taught us all to hold our heads high.”
-Dianna Sweany '68
Since the original Marian College Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marian University bands program has evolved into many performance ensembles, including:
The bands at Marian University have performed for many prestigious events on and off campus. The bands perform for home football games, parades, pep rallies, home basketball games, Midwest Cycling Classic, community concerts and private events. Some of the notable performances include an invitation of the Mexican Consulate to perform music of Mexican composers Jose Moncayo and Manuel Esperon at the Mexican Independance Day festival at Garfield Park in Indianapolis to over 7,000 in attendance. Other notable events include performing for private events of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a recording session of the Marian University "Marching Knights" Marching Band at Aire Born Studios.