About Us
The Wertheim FIU Marching Band at Florida International University is made up of the best and the brightest students from both FIU campuses. Representing over 30 majors and disciplines, the band is a microcosm of the diverse University and Miami cultures.
In 1999, with the announcement of a football program at Florida International University, spearheaded by Miami Dolphins legend Don Strock, members of the academic hierarchy proposed the creation what would become another proud tradition at FIU – a marching band. After a year of preparations and hard work, on August 29th, 2002 at 6:30 P.M., Dr. Greg Martin, Director of the Golden Panther Band, called the band to attention, and introduced to FIU a force to be reckoned with: the Band of the Sun.
During it’s first year of existence, the Wertheim FIU Marching Band established itself as one of the premiere collegiate marching bands in the State of Florida through a high standard of excellence in performance and entertainment. The group not only thrilled and excited audiences at every home football game in the fall of 2002, but was asked to perform in exhibition at local high school band competitions and traveled with the FIU Football Team to two of their away games. In addition, the inaugural edition of the band made an appearance on national television during the CBS telecast of various Thanksgiving Day parades from around the country.
During the 2008-2009 year, FIU underwent several financial cutbacks and the decision to cut the marching band program along with many others was made. The Wertheim FIU Marching Band remained inactive for one year and in 2010 the band returned to the FIU Campus under the direction of Professor Barry W. Bernhardt. The Wertheim FIU Marching Band has once again established itself as one of the most visible entities on the FIU campus. The Wertheim FIU Marching Band continues to thrill our audiences with high-energy entertainment and works to “create the tradition” at FIU.
The Wertheim FIU Marching Band is open to any FIU, MDC or BC student by audition. Students who make the band receive both a stipend for participation and one hour of university credit. The band performs at all FIU home football games, selected away games, selected area high school marching band exhibitions and two annual parades in Miami; the Three Kings Parade on Calle Ocho and the MLK Parade in Liberty City. In addition, the band has been highlighted in videos with several recording artists and performed the sound track for all of C-USA Football on the beIn Sports network during the 2018 season.