How FFA’s national band became a convention staple

FFA remains one of the only student leadership organizations that maintains a band at the national level. For over 75 years, FFA members nationwide have showcased their musical talents as part of the National FFA Band. 

“It’s unique for members to be part of this type of ensemble,” National FFA Band head director Spencer White said. “Including a live band during convention brings a level of class and energy you just can’t get elsewhere.”

The National FFA Band and Chorus members claim the best seats in the house annually at the National Convention and Expo — right on the stage. Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, these groups showcase musically talented FFA members nationwide.

Each year, members compete to be named the best of the best. 

The first official record of convention music was the Merion County FFA Band from Ohio in 1930. That year, the “Future Farmer March” was adopted as the National FFA Organization’s official march. The Texas FFA Band played at the 1932 convention.

In 1931, the National FFA Convention began holding a song-writing contest. During the first year, 11 songs were entered, and FFA purchased rights to four of the entered songs: Hail the FFA, Sons of Soil, FFA National Song, and Future Farmers of America.

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Following the former year’s success, in 1938, the FFA’s Committee on the Program of Work established the first call for the FFA to establish a National FFA Band. In 1940, delegates decided that state bands would be selected to perform in future years. 

After World War II’s travel restrictions were lifted, the first official National FFA Band performed at the 1947 convention under Dr. Henry S Brunner, the agricultural department head at the time from Pennsylvania State College. 

Unlike today’s contest, the original National FFA Band was called the “mail order band”. Members applied to the band by mail, and eventually, through audition recordings. 

FFA continues to showcase talent from around the U.S. at the National FFA Convention. Whether attending sessions, or wandering the halls in Indianapolis, the talent of FFA members is both noteworthy and impossible to miss.

»Related: California State FFA band is a brotherly tradition