Oregon Marching Band - History

History

• 1908 - University Course Catalogs list a University Band dating back to 1908.
• 1911 - According to the 1916 Oregana, the University Band began in 1911 with Maurice Hyde as Director.
• 1915 - Albert Perfect was hired as the first salaried band director at the University of Oregon.
• 1917 - The band was asked to serve as the University Battalion. This arrangement started a long association for the University Band with the Military Department on campus.
• 1918 - Perfect organized a Ladies Band (also known as the Women’s Band). The Ladies Band was the first on the West Coast (existed until 1919)
• 1919 - Ross Hickernell was hired to replace Perfect. After only one year Hickernell left the University.
• 1910s - Albert Perfect, along with student Dewitt Gilbert, wrote the fight song, Mighty Oregon. The song was first performed on March 4, 1916 (Register Guard, 11-13-81).
• 1919 - John Stark Evans, a music professor at the School of Music, wrote “Pledge to Oregon” in 1919. The Oregon Marching Band of the present day sings “Pledge to Oregon” in four parts after Oregon football games.
• 1920 - After Hickernell left, no replacement was hired for many years. Instead the Military Department handled the band program. During this time the United States government financed the Military Band and the directors of the band were not listed as part of the School of Music faculty.
• 1920 – 1929 - The University Course Catalog does not list a University Band as an organization (nor was the Military Band).
• 1926 - The University Band was placed back under the jurisdiction of the School of Music.
• 1928 - The University Band performed with John Philip Sousa and his band when they visited Eugene in 1928.
• 1929 - John Stehn was hired to replace Ferris. Under Stehn’s direction the University Band gave its first halftime performance at a football game in 1929.
• 1936 - During the 1936-1937 school year the School of Music finally got the class entitled “band” moved to the music section of the Schedule of Classes. Before this the class was under the Military Department.
• 1936 - The present course number for band, 195/395, was established.
• 1941- The marching band had female baton twirlers. This is the first mention of women in the marching band.
• 1940s - During World War II the Army Special Training Units (ASTU) trained at the University. Stehn was able to organize a forty-piece ASTU band that was of extremely high caliber.
• 1940s - During World War II women once again stepped up to take over the men’s job of playing at home football games, but the band remained in the stands. During this time the band also gave several concerts.
• 1947 - An Advisory Board (later known as Oregon Marching Band Council and finally as Oregon Athletic Band Council) was created to establish contact between the band and the Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO).
• 1950 - John Stehn retired as the Director of Bands in 1950 but he was still in the School of Music for a few years. He is, in a sense, the “founding father” of the modern band department at the University.
• 1950 - The position of Director of Bands was split between two people for the first time. Robert Vagner and Ira Lee were hired to lead the band into the next extraordinary era. Vagner was to lead the Concert Bands and Lee the Athletic Bands.
• 1953 - There was a significant change in the description of the band. The 1953-1954 course catalog described the band as follows: “Membership in the University Bands is open to both men and women students from all divisions of the University…” This was the first time the words “Marching Band” appeared anywhere in a course catalog.
• 1963- A precision dance group, called the “Oregonettes” was formed. There is nothing written about what they did, or whether they used flags, dancing, rifles, or batons, but it is the earliest indication of having a Color guard.
• 1967 - With the opening of Autzen Stadium, the Marching Band had a new home. Prior to Autzen Stadium all home football games were at Hayward Field.
• 1967 - The band introduced new uniforms.
• 1970 - The Vietnam War began in this era, and once again the war years affected the marching band but in different ways than previously. The exact date can not be determined, but the marching band did not exist for one to three years.
• 1975 – Quote in Oregana about “the on-again, off-again marching band . . . the group was disbanded six years ago but revived in 1971 when the athletic department realized it was essential if the football program was to gain television exposure.”
• 1970s - Students of the University didn’t support the band very much during the Vietnam War. Marching band is fairly militaristic, and uniforms and marching didn’t have a very good image. It reminded students of the war and that upset them. “Students booed the band,” according to members of the Marching Band at that time.
• 1975 - Roger Senders, a member of the marching band, wanted marching band to meet the PE requirement. Senders wrote a formal proposal to the Dean of the College of Health on November 20, 1975 describing why marching band should be counted for four years of physical education credit. It is a fascinating proposal but no mention is made of whether it was approved or denied.
• June 6, 1975 - The lyrics to the “Oregon Pledge Song” were changed. The words “Swear thy ev’ry son” were changed to “Swear thy ev’ryone.”
• 1976 - Gerald Poe was hired to direct the marching band. Poe starts the Festival of Bands competition.
• 1978 - The title of “Marching Band” was given to the marching band as its course title.
• 1983 - Steve Paul was hired and built the marching band up from 90 members his first year to over 250 members.
• 1983 - The Green Garter Band, a scholarship band that plays for all athletic events, started and was so named because members wore green garters on their arms.
• 1985 - Members of the Green Garter Band receive full scholarships. Once the band received full scholarships, perspective members had to audition into the band.
• 1985 – Oregon Marching Band creates “Duck Lips,” a noisemaker the band has sold as a fundraiser since.
• mid-1980s - The band receives new uniforms and were made and designed by Lane County businesses. Because of Oregon’s weather, the uniforms were unique in that they were waterproof. They also came with a full cape attachment that provided color contrast and also was worn to keep warm. The hats were Aussie style and helped keep the rain off the members shoulders and faces.
• 1995 – University of Oregon reaches the Rose Bowl.
• 1995 - Sid Haton hired as Marching Band director.
• 1999 – Sid Haton leaves his position as Marching Band director and Todd Zimbelman is hired.
• 2003 – Introduction of first Nike-produced marching band uniforms at Michigan v. Oregon game.
• 2005 – Todd Zimbelman leaves position as director of the Marching Band and Dr. Patrick Carney is hired as interim director.
• 2005 – Dr. Carney appointed to new position as Director of Athletic Bands, overseeing the Marching Band, Basketball Band and the Garter Bands.
• 2006 – Dr. Eric Wiltshire hired as the new Director of Athletic Bands.
• 2008 – Nike creates a second version of its marching band uniform for the Oregon Marching Band. The new uniform made its first public appearance at the game against Boise State on Sept. 20, 2008.
• 2009 - Oregon Marching Band returns to the Rose Bowl. The band reaches 200 members.
• 2010 - Oregon attends the BCS National Championship in Glendale, Arizona. The Green Garter Band performs at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona.
• 2011 - The Green Garter Band competes for the first time in the 2011 Reno Jazz Festival and received all superior ratings.