History

Connecticut Agricultural College Band

The roots of The University of Connecticut Marching Band date back to the formation of a military band of cadets in 1896. Composed of roughly fifteen musicians, the band consisted of all male students playing brass and percussion instruments. The 1915 band consisted of the Chief Musician, M.R. Young, Principal Musician, J.R. Chase, Drum Major, E.F. Farnham, as well as several Corporals, Sergeants, and Privates. Throughout the 1920s, the band could regularly be seen leading a parade of students and alumni through campus to the football games.

With growing popularity, the R.O.T.C. band increased their numbers into the thirties by 1932 with Richard Young as the Leader and Sidney Marland as Drum Major. However, there had been an increasing interest among students to create a volunteer student band that would be able to represent the entire school. On November 6th, 1934, an editorial article in the campus newspaper discussed the possibility of creating such a band. However, a lack of resources and time required to train the band contributed to the idea folding for the time being.

A new year gave new life to the creation of the “College Band.” In September of 1935, two juniors revived the proposal, and with the hiring of an additional staff member in the Music Department, the “College Band was created.” Herbert A. France became the first Director of the Band. The band sported preppy white sweaters with a blue lyre and block “C” as their uniform. Students gave enthusiastic support for the band, and with financial support from the Student Senate and Athletic Department, the band made their debut at the home football game versus Northeastern. That year, the band also performed at away football games at Wesleyan, Massachusetts State, and Rhode Island, as well as at all home basketball games. Sidney Rhein served as the Student Director and Band Master, Sidney Marland as band Leader, and Richard Barrell as Manager.

The First “College Band”

Band Council Officer positions also date back to this early time frame. 1938 marked the first Band President, Edward Moore. Other Council Officers that year included Vice President and Manager, Roger Brundage, and Karl Krantz as Librarian and Secretary.

1939 marked reorganization for the band. Mr. Jack Brocjek became the new director of the College Band, and gave the opportunity for everyone to participate in the band. The band performed at all campus activities and athletic affairs. 1939 also marked the year of the official name change of the University, from Connecticut State College to The University of Connecticut.

When Connecticut Agricultural College became Connecticut State College in 1933, the nickname of the Connecticut “Aggies” could no longer be used to represent the athletic teams, and the Husky dog was selected as a new mascot. He was named Jonathan by a poll of students, in honor of Jonathan Trumbull, a Revolutionary War hero. Tom Leonard, a junior from Waterbury and managing editor of the paper, requested Fred Waring, compose a new fight song for The “U of C.” On November 24, 1939, he premiered “The Connecticut Husky.” The current fight song, “UConn Husky,” composed by Herbert France, founder of the Music Department, first appeared in the Campus Song Book during the 1949-1950 school year.

Throughout the 1940s the band continued its steady growth, setting a new standard for college marching bands in New England. Andrew J. McMullan became the first Director of Bands and by 1949, membership increased to sixty five musicians. Innovative drill designs became a hallmark of the University Band. On a trip to Brown, the band formed the letter “B” for Brown, followed by a “bow and arrow” shooting the “B,” and then reformed to a “C” for Connecticut. Membership continued to be made up of both student musicians and cadets in the Military R.O.T.C. Band.

The University Band

With the opening of the new Memorial Stadium on the campus of The University of Connecticut in Storrs, the UConn Husky Marching Band (UCMB) made its official debut in 1953 with Russ Bedford as Drum Major. Membership exceeded ninety students, and in 1955 included halftime shows such as “A Salute to Jerome Kern,” “Droodles,” and a special arrangement of “UConn Husky,” performed as it would sound in various parts of the world.

1955 marked an exciting year for the UCMB. Under leadership of a new director, Mr. Louis Anderson led the band in exciting directions. Marching at 210 steps per minute, the band performed a new show at each of the home footbatball games, becoming the “Best in the East,” as many loyal follows termed them.

Allen Gillespie took over direction of the band in 1956 and with a combination of creative drill designs and elaborate musical arrangements, continued the UCMB’s reputation at home and away football games. The band performed in a “Hula Dancer” formation, and the spelling of the letters “U-C-O-N-N” during pregame originated in this time frame.

The 1960s brought about continued growth for the UConn Marching Band. With membership upwards of one hundred twenty five members, the band continued its excellence with constant rehearsal, performance, and hard work. The annual “Band Day,” also has its roots in the 1960s, with the first record of existence in 1963. Many high school bands from the State joined in the UCMB in a halftime performance spectacular. The band continued to inspire tradition and pride in students, faculty, and alumni.