USC Trojan Marching Band
The Spirit of Troy aka Trojan Marching Band (TMB) is the marching band of the University of Southern California, representing the University at a variety of functions as well as for its university sports teams: the Trojans (men's teams) and the Women of Troy (women's teams).
Directors
Dr. Arthur C. Bartner 1970 - Present
Dr. Bartner earned his B.A., M.A., and Ed.D. in Music Education from the University of Michigan, under the guidance of William D. Revelli. His love for music started long before in Maplewood, New Jersey, where he learned to play the trumpet. In 1970, after seven years of building some of the most highly acclaimed high school programs in Michigan, Dr. Bartner accepted an invitation from the University of Southern California to direct the Trojan Marching Band. Dr. Bartner pioneered the "drive it" style of marching, since copied by many collegiate marching bands.
History
1915, the director and 18 members of the Trojan Marching Band entered the service of the United States Navy, and were assigned as a group to the cruiser U.S.S. Pueblo, upon which they served together for the duration of the War. During that period of three and a half years, the Pueblo was engaged in submarine scouting patrols, often off the coast of South America.
During this service, the men of the Trojan Band would draw land duty, and had occasion to perform in parades and at functions for visiting dignitaries and high military officials; in this manner, they earned a reputation as one of the finest military bands in anyone's service. The band received its first exposure to the national limelight when it had the distinct privilege of performing under the baton of John Phillip Sousa. After the signing of the Armistice in November 1918, the men of the Trojan Marching Band were accorded the honor of leading America's returning servicemen in the victory parade up New York City's Fifth Avenue - "Heroes' Canyon".
1922 "Fight On" was composed by USC dental student Milo Sweet as an entry to inspire fans and players in a Trojan spirit contest. According to legend, "Fight On" blared from the deck of a transport ship as Americans stormed a beach on an island held by the Japanese during World War II. The U.S. troops let out a tremendous roar and eventually won the island.
1923 the words and music to USC's alma mater, "All Hail," were composed by Al Wesson, sports information director at USC from 1928-42. Wesson wrote the song as a member of the Trojan Marching Band for the finale of a 1923 campus show.
1929 On April 19, 1929, the Trojan Band gave its first national radio concert, broadcast over the Columbia (CBS) national radio network from a campus auditorium
1930 "Tommy Trojan" unveiled for USC's 50th anniversary. ("The Spirit of Troy" was the name originally intended for the statue)
1931 Uniforms consist of white flannel trousers, white shoes, cardinal hat (like ship's captain), and flowing gold shirts with a cardinal Trojan head insignia, with a sash around the waist.
1933 TMB wears white pants and shoes with dark jackets that zipped up in front, kind of like windbreakers but heavier, maybe cotton. Cardinal jackets with gold waist, cuffs, collar; also a Trojan head where the breast pocket would be. And a military-style captain's hat.
1936 The TMB adopts unusual marching band uniforms: Cardinal pants, white shoes, double-breasted gold blazers, neckties and fedoras
1938 TMB gets military-style uniforms: hats with plumes, cardinal pants, white shoes, cardinal jackets with gold front, embroidered tails, white straps crossing the chest, that whole bit.
1946 New uniforms again; still military-style, still white shoes & no gloves, but more like what the Cal Band wears now, particularly the hats. The yearbook said the TMB was "sporting new uniforms that rival those of the doorman at the Waldorf."
1950 the USC marching band first wears helmets (no brushes/plumes though) and Trojan style uniforms. The new uniforms were cardinal pants, with gold jackets that had a torch emblem. Previously they wore standard military issue type uniforms and hats.
1953 "Conquest", composed by Alfred Newman, was first played by the Trojan Marching band.
1954 The band did its first out-of-state football game, against Oregon in Portland (USC won 24-14)
1960 Uniform changes but same helmets remain. The gold jackets were out - replaced with cardinal jackets with a gold cape-like thing in back. The full band wore gold breastplates. These had the same torch emblem that the old jackets had, but with a Trojan head above the emblem.
1966 USC Trumpet Alum Herb Alpert won 3 Grammy Awards including Record of the Year.
1971 Tony Fox arrives to arrange charts. Completely new uniforms. Arrival of the "moon boots". Cardinal pants and jackets with the braid across the front; capes with "cookie"-style clasps - all of this with the "key design" on the borders and down the sleeves. No gloves. However, still using the same helmets.
1972 New helmets with brushes! Also with visors and earguards for the first time. First year women allowed to join the band. (Other than during WWII '42-'45)
1973 First trip back to Notre Dame Stadium. "Frankenstein" by Edgar Winter performed for the first time at the game.
1979, Fleetwood Mac asked the band to perform with them. The result was the song Tusk, whose album of the same name went platinum. The song is often performed at sporting events, particularly as a victory song. In recent years, students have taken to chanting "U-C-L-A SUCKS!", USC's crosstown rival, to the song's refrain.
1980 In the University's centennial year, new uniforms are introduced at halftime for Homecoming. "Moon boots" are replaced by white spats; the band now wears white gloves AND GAUNTLETS!! New jackets have Trojan head logo on shield, and open in the back for the first time. Pants now have gold and white striping down sides. The "key design" on the uniforms is gone. Helmets are changed slightly, but still have brushes.
1984 Dr. Bartner directs the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
1987 USC Trumpets selected as official fanfare unit for Pope John Paul II for his Mass at Dodger Stadium. The USC Trojan Marching Band begins its streak of attending every football game, home and away that continues to this day.
1999 Kevin Norton nominated for 3 Grammy's as a part of the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Kevin takes home two out of three: Best Pop Instrumental Performance: "Sleepwalk", The Brian Setzer Orchestra (Track from: The Dirty Boogie), Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal: "Jump Jive An' Wail", The Brian Setzer Orchestra (Track from: The Dirty Boogie)