Baton Twirling History

The history of baton twirling is sketchy, most of it deriving from guess or hearsay, and its actual origin is unknown. The most popular guess is that it is related to the colorful Swiss flag swinging which came to this country along with the Dutch when they settled in Pennsylvania. Another is that it originated at Millsaps College in Mississippi. Here, shortly after the Civil War, the well-known Major Millsaps founded a college. His "lady athletes" were called the Majorettes, and it is possible that this is the origin of our present-day high-stepping majorette's name.

However, we do know that the art of baton twirling is relatively new. It was not until early in the 19th century that the conductor's baton was first used as a visual aid to beating time. In 1776, when the first band of any importance, the United States Marine Band, was organized, the baton was not in use.

In the early 1930's the drum majorette was unique. Frequently she was the only one of her sex in a parade, stepping high in front of the formation. The high prancing strut and the spinning baton added much color to civic, military, or school bands. The drum majorette was top banana of the campus, envied by the girls watching from the sidelines, who decided that they, too, would like to be drum majorettes. Thus the popularity and size of the marching groups grew, and baton twirling became an increasingly popular American institution. Marching and twirling have become complicated by the addition of intricate dance steps as well as complex twirling. Mastering the choreography of baton twirling routines now requires highly developed skills, based on training and practice.

From "Baton Twirling: The Fundamentals of an Art and a Skill",
by Constance Atwater,
Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., 1964 (out of print).

In the early part of the century, twirlers were mostly boys and men - because the batons were very heavy.

In the late 1930s the majorette made her debut,.when band directors decided to increase the audience appeal of the marching band by adding a baton twirler or two. The role became so popular that high school girls all over the country wanted to participate. Shorter, lighter batons were developed for the rash of feminine twirlers springing up. Through the '40s, '50s, and '60s, more and more girls became majorettes. The involvement of girls and young women made twirling a more graceful, artistic form of self-expression than it had ever been before.

In the middle of the 1950s incorporated baton twirling associations began to develop. The associations organized baton competitions on both state and national levels.

Two of the largest associations today are the (USTA) and the National Baton Twirling Association (NBTA). Both hold national competitions every year and officiate at competitions at local state and regional levels.

From "The Complete Book of Baton Twirling",
by Fred W. Miller and Gloria Smith with Perri Ardman,
Doubleday &;Company, Inc., 1980 (out of print).

1972 saw passage of the Title IX legislation, requiring all schools receiving federal funds to provide girls and women equal opportunity to compete in sports. Increased sports opportunities have led to a decrease in the popularity of baton twirling, at least in terms of the percentage of girls taking up the sport. Some young people who might have joined a baton twirling unit in past years now choose to learn various color guard skills, such as flag, rifle, and sabre spinning (Winter Guard International). High school marching bands, which often fielded a group of twirlers or majorettes, are on the decline in some parts of the country in the face of tight school budgets and busy students who take jobs in their free time.

The standard baton, a centrally balanced metal shaft with rubber ends, is still the most versatile equipment one can choose for twirling, and baton twirling continues to grow as a sport. The Presidential Sports Award, sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Union, can be earned in baton twirling. Both major United States twirling organizations are working toward the goal of introducing baton twirling as an Olympic event. Some twirling enthusiasts question why rhythmic gymnastics, with ball, rope, ribbon, and club props, has become a popular Olympic event, while baton twirling still has not gained acceptance. Baton twirling on the international level can be seen on video tapes of the WBTF World Championship, available through the USTA.

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