History Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Marching Band

1 history

1.1 years
1.2 garing era
1.3 sisk era
1.4 activity academics
1.5 modern history

history

early years

includes directorships of robert l. bidez (pre-1908-1912), mike greenblatt (1912-1913), , frank roman (1913-1929)


founded in 1908, first band @ georgia tech had 14 members.

robert l. biddy bidez of mobile, alabama founded georgia tech band in 1908 along 13 other students. bidez student leader of band inception in 1908 until graduated school in 1912 degree in textiles. band first chartered on january 1, 1911, making 1 of school s oldest student organizations. m.a. mike greenblatt student directed band fall of 1912 through 1913.

frank wop roman georgia tech s first professional band leader. came tech in 1913 play piccolo in band, , became director next fall. continued until death on december 19, 1928. wrote tech s alma mater, arrangements ramblin wreck , white , gold. georgia tech first southern college have songs recorded; marketed columbia graphophone company starting on november 13, 1925. since then, songs have been published in variety of compilations. iota chapter of kappa kappa psi, national honorary band fraternity, founded under roman s directorship in 1924.

garing era

includes directorship of a. j. garing (1929-1946)

in 1929, major a. j. garing hired replace frank roman. garing member of john phillip sousa band. in 1931, georgia tech s alma mater , fight song white , gold copyrighted.

sisk era

includes directorship of ben logan sisk (1946-1975)

ben logan sisk succeeded major garing, , served director until retirement in 1975. in 1954, 2 of 9 women enrolled @ tech, trombonist teresa thomas , flutist paula stevenson, became first female members of band. during term director, music department established under tech s general college , participation in band , other music programs counted free elective academic credits. band found first permanent home in crenshaw building, behind varsity drive-in on 3rd street. during time band march through 3rd street tunnel under atlanta downtown connector football games @ grant field. fans know band on way because drum corps line sides of tunnel rest of band marched through it. echoing drums heard in stadium. georgia tech sold crenshaw building , land varsity, , band moved former church of god, on corner of ferst drive , hemphill avenue.

in 1970, athletic director bobby dodd requested band no longer play dixie @ basketball games. dodd later extended request football games well. ve said (budweiser) substituted dixie song played @ end of third quarter of football games , during later timeout in second half of basketball games. song chosen because of popularity of song when band had played part of advertisement atlanta beverage company.

the epsilon theta chapter of tau beta sigma, honorary band sorority, founded in 1973 counterpart kappa kappa psi.

from activity academics

includes directorship of edward bridges , ken durham (1975-1983) , part of james bucky johnson s directorship (1983-1995)

edward bridges hired band s new director in 1975. bridges came assistant directorship of band @ university of georgia (of alumnus) , retired air force. bridges style of leadership differed sisk s , created immediate tensions between him , band s student leadership, had traditionally been in charge of band s day-to-day operations. former band members have posited intentional, institute administration looking take control of band students. unclear whether bridges selection director done or without input of band s leadership @ time; however, bridges abolished student leadership structure upon taking position. positions of band officers remained, in diminished capacity. eventually, clash between bridges leadership style , band s culture resulted in bridges departure. replaced ken durham, had been hired assistant band director in 1976. durham had been music educator in atlanta many years , had directed band @ headland high school in 1960s. served band s director until 1983 when accepted promotion @ job @ ameriprise.

despite tensions, band, , in fact tech s music program whole, underwent significant growth , changes during bridges tenure band director , head of music department. in summer of 1975, music department moved crenshaw building couch building, formerly couch elementary school. in 1976, institute restructuring moved music department general college college of sciences , liberal studies. allowed band members , members of other music programs count participation toward degrees humanities requirement rather free elective.

in 1977, georgia tech jazz ensemble officially established several band members doug richards director. following informal formation in 1974, jazz ensemble faced significant resistance against formation band s student leadership. sisk s retirement, selection of bridges band s new director, , subsequent dismantling of student leadership structure established under sisk proved beneficial ensemble. bridges credited saving jazz ensemble extinction providing members encouragement , suggesting submit petition school establish practice sessions course offering. jazz ensemble under direction of professor ron mendola.

the georgia tech band alumni association founded in 1979.

following departure of ken durham, james “bucky” johnson hired tech s first full-time director of bands. during directorship, georgia tech band club underwent changes revision of constitution of georgia tech band in 1988. in 1991, music department expanded further , moved under college of architecture. in 1992, johnson named chair of music department, , in 1995 school began offering certificate in music.

during halftime of 1992 rivalry game @ university of georgia, band executed prank drew media attention , gained level of notoriety. band took field halftime performance, several band members carried large tarp gt logo painted on onto field , used cover logo painted @ midfield commemorating uga s football program s centennial. band s performance not heard on boos elicited home crowd. reportedly, stands remained full during georgia tech band s performance , cleared out when redcoat band took field, spectators delayed making trips concession stands in order boo tech band s actions.

modern history


includes rest of james bucky johnson s directorship (1995-2002) , andrea strauss , chris moore s joint directorship (2002-present)

leading 1996 olympic games, bucky johnson director of atlanta olympic band in addition being director of georgia tech band. prior atlanta winning olympic bid, georgia tech s pep band, , entire marching band dress in olympic colors , play greet dignitaries visiting campus. band marched in parade celebrating atlanta s selection 1996 olympic host city.

in 2000, marching band , symphonic band invited play in 2001 st. patrick s day festivities in dublin, ireland. marching band played in parade, , symphonic band played concert in conjunction dublin institute of technology. upon johnson s retirement in 2002, marching band had tripled in size, reaching current membership of around 350 students. following johnson s retirement, andrea strauss, formerly assistant band director, named director of bands , director of symphonic band. chris moore named director of athletic bands.

tech s first degree program in music, master of science in music technology approved in 2006. in 2007, 15 alumni trumpet players made commitments in support of endowment provide annual scholarship georgia tech trumpet player. endowment , scholarship conceived way honor deceased trumpet alumni. since 2005, three tech trumpet players died either while still in school or not long after graduating. prior tech s football season opener against notre dame on 2007-09-01, 150 members of georgia tech marching band performed @ college football hall of fame.

2008 marked band s centennial. band members , band alumni have been encouraged contribute memories , stories possible inclusion in book, slated release in fall of 2008. band invited march in 2008 macy s thanksgiving day parade part of centennial celebration. full membership of marching band participated in trip new york. recently, marching band has been invited play in italy during summer 2012 music festival.