History
In the summer of 1993 Sacred Heart University played host to an unknown drum corps while they were in Connecticut for a competition. Shortly after, Duane Melzer was hired as the first band director for the University, and he put together a small Pep Band of 13 players to play for football and basketball games. By the fall of 1994, the band had grown to 30 players and presented its first halftime field show. This was followed by their first performance in the New York City Columbus Day Parade and Saint Patrick's Day Parade.
In 1997, following Melzer's departure, the University appointed Marvin McNeill as the new Director of Bands. Under McNeill’s direction, the Pioneer Marching Band experienced steady growth, reaching a membership of 65. During this time, the band began to make appearances at local and regional Marching Band events, showing off their new uniform design. The band also made its first appearance at the Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The band also made its first visit to an away football game, traveling to Pittsburgh when the team played against Robert Morris University. McNeill wrote the Pioneer Fight Song, which is still the Fight Song of SHU, and is played at football, basketball, and hockey games.
In 2002 McNeill left to take a position with the University of Connecticut Band program, at which time Charles Bennedum was appointed interim Director. In 2003, Keith Johnston was hired as the new Director of Bands, and Charles Bennedum was appointed Assistant Director.
Read more about this topic: Pioneer Bands
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“The only history is a mere question of one’s struggle inside oneself. But that is the joy of it. One need neither discover Americas nor conquer nations, and yet one has as great a work as Columbus or Alexander, to do.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“We have need of history in its entirety, not to fall back into it, but to see if we can escape from it.”
—José Ortega Y Gasset (1883–1955)
“It may be well to remember that the highest level of moral aspiration recorded in history was reached by a few ancient Jews—Micah, Isaiah, and the rest—who took no count whatever of what might not happen to them after death. It is not obvious to me why the same point should not by and by be reached by the Gentiles.”
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95)