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Syracuse University Marching Band

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The Syracuse University Marching Band (SUMB), also known as the Pride of the Orange, is the collegiate marching band of Syracuse University. The band consists of approximately 200 members. The SUMB performs at all home Syracuse Orange football games throughout the season in the Carrier Dome, and also takes part in parades and other performances throughout the year. It is one of the largest student organizations at Syracuse University, and one of the oldest collegiate bands in the United States.

The "Pride of the Orange"
The Syracuse University Marching Band performing before Super Bowl XLVIII.
SchoolSyracuse University
LocationSyracuse, New York
ConferenceACC
Founded1901; 123 years ago (1901)
DirectorTimothy Diem
Members200
Practice fieldJMA Dome
Fight song"Down the Field"
Websiteband.vpa.syr.edu

It is one of the four bands on campus (others being the Wind Ensemble, the concert band and the pep band) that operate under the aegis of Setnor School of Music of College of Visual and Performing Arts.[1] It is one of two bands on campus that appear at athletic events, the other being the Sour Sitrus Society, the university pep band.[2]

History

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University Band in front of the Hall of Languages in 1888.
 
Photograph of Syracuse University cheerleaders, circa 1922-1923
 
The Syracuse University Band in 1928.

Early years

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Effort to establish a university band were immediate after the founding of the university. A glee club appeared in 1875, but "perished in the gentle spring of 1880."[3] A brass band was formed in 1881 and the club traveled all the way to Florida for performances in 1886.[3] Individual colleges would hire bands to perform at their events and athletic events.[4]

The first marching band was formed in 1901, and the first rehearsal took place on February 4, 1901. The band performed its first public concert in Crouse College auditorium on May 9, 1901.[4]

The 23 members performed at the Syracuse Orangemen football game appearance against Lafayette College on October 12, 1901, at the Old Oval.[5] It was dissolved in 1904 for financial reasons by Chancellor James Roscoe Day but soon restored in 1907.[4]

By the end of 1910s, the band had filled a needed role on campus and been utilized for campus functions, concerts,[6] as well for home and away football games.[7] When ROTC was established on campus in December 1919, the band was co-opted into cadet training program, merging with ROTC band.[8][9] While the band had played at athletic events since founding, it officially broke off from ROTC in 1923 and partnered with the athletics department around 1925,[10] It would later become part of the Fine Arts department (now VPA).

"Down the Field", Syracuse University's fight song, was first performed by the band on November 14, 1913. The band would play the song the following day during the Syracuse Orangemen football game against the Colgate team, which Syracuse lost 35–13.[4] The band members would march across the Shaw Quadrangle to the stadium when performing at the Archbold Stadium.[11]

The university began supporting the band financially in 1924, but noted it as a loss making activity.[5][12] In 1926, the band under the direction of Marvin A. Fairbanks had a membership of about 60 students.[11][10] In 1930, the band was broadcast for the first time on a radio, on WSYR radio station.[10]

In 1947, a fire destroyed much of Archbold Gymnasium and with it the band lost all their uniforms, but the administration was supportive, and the group had new clothes, director, and equipment.[13]

Orange Girl & national fame

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The band was all male until September 26, 1947, when Howard Kelly, assistant director of the band asked twirling drum majorette Jessie Ann Harp (Griffing) to became part of the crew.[13] Her performance was choreographed to the band's music. Featured baton twirlers – nicknamed Orange Girl in 1962 – were the only female member of the band.[14][15]

The band shot to national fame in when the band performed at the 1953 Orange Bowl against Alabama. CBS carried the game, the first time it had ever been televised nationally. While the football team lost their first ever bowl game 61–6, the band achieved celebrity status – especially the baton twirler Dottie Grover – and was billed One hundred men and a girl by the media.[13][16] Learbury Clothier of Syracuse had donated new uniforms of white straw hats, blue blazers, and slacks as the band went to the bowl in the humid south.[11] The band, alongside Grover, toured nationally.[17]

In 1966, Syracuse University changed its policies and opened the band to women and 22 women joined the band in the first year.[18] For a brief period of time (1943–1947) during World War II, university had temporarily allowed women on the band to fill positions due to shortage of men.[18]

In 1970, the band went on a European concert tour and participated in the World Band Festival in Kerkrade, Netherlands, winning three awards.[14] They were welcomed back with much fanfare and when during the 1970 football opener game the announcer called them "The Pride of the Orange", the nickname stuck.[5][19]

In 1971, the band participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[19]

The Eta Alpha chapter of Tau Beta Sigma band sorority and the Eta Phi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity.[20]: 9 [21] were established on December 4, 1982, by Dr. Robert Spradling, the then Director of the SUMB.[22][23]

Recent years

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Themarching band "Block S" formation during the pre-game sequence.

On December 7, 2008, SUMB performed at first-ever NFL regular-season game played in Canada. The game played as part of the Bills Toronto Series featured the Buffalo Bills against the Miami Dolphins at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada.[citation needed]

In 2009, the band recorded and released renditions of SU songs on the "Orange Album", an album released by Syracuse University Recordings, a student-run record label based out of the Setnor School of Music at the VPA.[24]

In 2013, the college of Visual and Performing Arts launched a $150,000 campaign titled "A New Look for a New Era." for new uniforms.[25] The college met its goal and the revamped uniforms were utilized in time for Syracuse's inaugural 2013 ACC football season.[26][27] This was their first update in 15 years.[28][29]

On February 2, 2014, SUMB performed at the Super Bowl XLVIII during the pregame festivities.[30][31][32] They put on a New York/ New Jersey themed show alongside the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights.[33] The song selections included Born in the U.S.A. and Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen, Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi, New York, New York by Frank Sinatra, and Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z.[34]

The band has been a consistent presence at the annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Dinner Gala in New York City.[20]: 4 [35][36]

In 2014, a twirling scholarship was endowed by former Orange Girl Janet Kay Smith.[37]

In 2016, the band played at the New Year's Day celebration in London.[38][39]

Membership

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The band is marketed as "New York's college band",[2][30][40] membership also features students from SUNY-ESF, Onondaga Community College, Le Moyne College, and SUNY Oswego.[41][20]: 7 

The band is fall semester non-audition, one-credit course in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.[42][43]

The band has 12 instruments in the ensemble.[41]

Justin Mertz served as the band director from 2005 until 2017,[44][45][46] and Timothy Diem took over in 2017.[47]

The SU Alumni Band, is a band made up of former SUMB members and have performed at Syracuse Orange athletic events.[11]

SUMB publishes "The Orange Peel: The Pride of the Orange", a twice-yearly newsletter.[20] The Special Collections Research Center of the Syracuse University Archives holds an inventory of bands collection.[5]

Traditions

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Quad Show and march-over

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The band performs a show before every home game on the steps of Hendricks Chapel in the Shaw Quadrangle. The band sings the words to the fight song, as well as performs the Syracuse University Alma Mater both instrumentally, and vocally in four-part harmony.[48]

At the finish of the quad show, the band lines up for "march-over". The band lines up in a parade block and then marches around the quad before heading over to the Carrier Dome. While marching, the band recites the SU Band Chant. Each section of the band demonstrates its own vocal responses and horn moves during march-over.[49]

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After each football win, the band heads to Varsity Pizza on Marshall Street to flip the flag upside down.[50] The band plays a few tunes and the banners of each Orange opponent hung along the back wall of the restaurant are flipped at the end if Syracuse wins.[51][52]

Sour Sitrus Society

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The Sour Sitrus Society serves as the pep band of Syracuse University.[53] While the marching band plays at football games, the pep band is a fixture at basketball events and travels with the men's basketball team during the March Madness.[41] Named so for the "sour" notes the band played during its first season in 1971, the pep band was initially mentored by basketball coach Jim Boeheim.[19][11] As of 2021, the band had 120 members and plays at the basketball games as well as some non-athletic events.[54][55][56]

 
26th Orange Girl Abigail Veccia at 2023 Boca Raton Bowl.

List of Orange Girls

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1. Jessie Ann Harp (1947)
2. Dorothie "Dottie" Grover (1949–1953)[57]
3. Alta Burg (1953–1957)
4. Janet Kay Smith (1957–1961)[37]
5. Judy Delp (1962–1965) (first to be designated Orange Girl in 1962)
6. Gail Fuchs (1965)
7. Colleen Daiute (1966)
8. Candy Franck

  • Melaine Cancellari Rottkamp (1991)
  • Beth Forader (1994)
  • Keri Ann Lynch (–2004) [58][59]
  • Melissa Gaffney Derr (2004–2009)[59][60][61]
  • Ashley Andrews (2011–2012)[60]

23. Meghan Sinisi (2013–2017)[62]
24. Isabella Bolduc (2018–2019)
25. Trina Catterson (2020–2022)[63]
26. Abigail Veccia (2023–)[64]

Source:[14][60]

References

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  1. ^ "University Bands – Syracuse University". band.vpa.syr.edu. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Athletic Bands - University Bands". band.vpa.syr.edu. Syracuse University. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b Galpin 1952, p. 197.
  4. ^ a b c d Hasselstrom, Sherman (4 December 2008). "HISTORY > Beginnings: 1901-1921". Syracuse University Bands. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Syracuse University Marching Band Collection An inventory of its collection at the Syracuse University Archives". library.syracuse.edu. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  6. ^ "Well Rendered Program" (PDF). The Daily Orange. 17 December 1903. pp. 1, 302. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  7. ^ Galpin 1960, p. 342.
  8. ^ Galpin 1960, p. 383.
  9. ^ Galpin & Barck Jr 1984, p. 317.
  10. ^ a b c Adamczyk, Brandon (4 December 2008). "HISTORY > From Boom to Bust to Boom - The Depression/WWII: 1922-1945". SU Bands. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d e Didomenico, Tammy (2000). "Strike up the Band: The pride fo the orange marches on". Syracuse University Magazine. Vol. 17, no. 1. pp. 42–47. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  12. ^ Galpin & Barck Jr 1984, p. 381.
  13. ^ a b c Rubenstein, Jayme. "HISTORY > The Simmons Years: 1946-1968". SUBands.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Croyle, Johnathan (19 September 2017). "Syracuse University's 'Orange Girl' tradition turns 70". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Syracuse University Orange Girl - University Bands". band.vpa.syr.edu. Syracuse University. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  16. ^ Greene & Baron 1996, p. 137.
  17. ^ Greene & Baron 1996, p. 138.
  18. ^ a b Ramirez, Clare (7 March 2016). "Women, equality and the Syracuse University Marching Band". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  19. ^ a b c Rubenstein, Jayme (4 December 2008). "HISTORY > The Birth of "The Pride": 1969-1980". SU Bands. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d "The Pride of the Orange Newsletter" (PDF). The Orange Peel. Vol. 31. Fall 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  21. ^ Ethington, Bradley P. (1 February 2000). "Leadership in the College Marching Band". The Podium. Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma. p. 26. Retrieved 10 November 2023 – via issuu.com.
  22. ^ Rubenstein, Jayme (4 December 2008). "HISTORY > The Spradling Years: 1980-1993". SU Bands. Archived from the original on 2008-12-04. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  23. ^ "About", Tau Beta Sigma- Eta Alpha, 8 May 2009 URL: https://etaalpha.wordpress.com/
  24. ^ Keilty, Colleen (2009). "Sounds of the Orange". Syracuse University Magazine. Vol. 26, no. 2. Syracuse University. p. 48. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  25. ^ Blust, Erica (August 13, 2013). "SU Marching Band Uniform Campaign Achieves Goal". SU News. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  26. ^ Schweikert, Zach (7 October 2013). "SU marching band debuts redesigned uniforms at Oct. 5 Clemson game". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  27. ^ "New Threads for the Syracuse University Marching Band", Sidenote, 30 September 2013 URL:https://bcaires.wordpress.com/2013/09/30/new-threads-the-sumbs-new-uniforms-are-here/
  28. ^ Ng, Alfred (26 August 2013). "SU Marching Band receives new uniforms for ACC debut". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  29. ^ Tobin, Dave (16 August 2013). "Syracuse University Marching Band debuting new uniforms in October". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  30. ^ a b Axe, Brent (23 December 2013). "Syracuse University marching band set to perform at the Super Bowl". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  31. ^ Janjic, Chris (3 February 2014). "'Once in a lifetime': Syracuse University marching band travels from Carrier Dome to MetLife Stadium for its biggest crowd yet". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  32. ^ Tobin, Dave (30 January 2014). "10 things you probably don't know about Syracuse University's marching band (video)". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  33. ^ Ng, Alfred (24 December 2013). "SU marching band to perform at Super Bowl pre-show". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  34. ^ Warman, Zane (30 January 2014). "Marching band readies for Super Bowl pregame". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  35. ^ Hider, Anna (7 December 2011). "Marching band brings fanfare to Heisman event". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  36. ^ Lundborg, Pam (8 December 2007). "SU Marching Band Highlights". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  37. ^ a b Goldstein, Natalie (22 October 2014). "Orange Girl alumna endows twirling scholarship for SUMB". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  38. ^ Blust, Erica (September 15, 2015). "Marching Band Invited to Perform in 31st Annual London's New Year's Day Parade". Syracuse University News. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  39. ^ Feldman, Matt (23 September 2015). "SU Marching Band invited to perform at next year's New Year's Day celebration in London". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  40. ^ Cassillo, John (23 December 2013). "SB XLVIII: The Battle of New York's College Band?". Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  41. ^ a b c Emerman, Danny; Gutierrez, Matthew (18 October 2018). "Meet the musicians who perform the soundtrack for SU games". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  42. ^ Toure, Madina (26 September 2012). "With the band: Students get chance to strike up some tunes for marching band class". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  43. ^ "ENI - Instrumental Ensembles: Schedule of classes 2016 Fall" (PDF). Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts. 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  44. ^ Ramirez, Clare (2 September 2014). "Instrumental role: SU Marching Band director draws on experience in 10th year of leading students". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  45. ^ Blust, Erica (January 26, 2017). "Justin Mertz to Conclude Service as Director of Syracuse University's Athletic Bands". Syracuse University News. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  46. ^ Hauer, Sydney (September 28, 2017). "Marching Band welcomes new director". The Northern Iowan. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  47. ^ Bolan, Molly (3 October 2017). "Director of athletic bands brings new energy to the SU Marching Band". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  48. ^ Flores, Isabella (11 September 2023). "Gallery: Game day highlights SU's music scene". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  49. ^ Ceva, Claudia (25 September 2015). "Kiss Cam? We've Got The Pride of the Orange". Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  50. ^ Cassillo, John (7 June 2019). "SU football has few traditions, but the Varsity banner flip stands out". Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  51. ^ "The best football tradition for each Top 25 team". ESPN.com. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  52. ^ Auerbach, Nicole (September 12, 2019). "Why Syracuse's marching band turns a pizza place upside down after every win". The Athletic. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  53. ^ "Sour Sitrus Society of Syracuse University". 23 January 2003. Archived from the original on 2003-01-23.
  54. ^ Tracey, Sara (25 March 2009). "Sour Sitrus Society hits the road for March Madness". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  55. ^ McCaffery, Adam (3 November 2021). "Music brings the party: The Sour Sitrus Society's impact on volleyball games". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  56. ^ Hendricks, Meghan (6 April 2023). "MUSIC MADNESS: The road to Syracuse's 2003 victory through the eyes of the Sour Sitrus Society". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  57. ^ Waters, Mike (17 October 2019). "Dottie Grover, famed Syracuse baton girl, dies at 90". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  58. ^ Shires, Amy (1 January 2002). "SU People: A Twirl of Orange". Syracuse University Magazine. Vol. 19, no. 3. Syracuse University. p. 18. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  59. ^ a b Poster, Dan (11 November 2004). "Passing the baton". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  60. ^ a b c Tracey, Sara (9 November 2011). "Passing the baton: Orange Girls twirl through years with dedication, grace". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  61. ^ Rubin, Mallory (15 November 2005). "Orange Girl twirls her way through SU". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  62. ^ Hodge, Anna; Osumi, Drew (22 April 2014). "Meghan Sinisi: The Orange Girl embodies SU spirit by supporting teams with baton twirling". The Daily Orange. p. 10. Archived from the original on 22 April 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  63. ^ Mallea, Dan (18 February 2020). "Trina Catterson continues 73-year-old tradition as Orange Girl". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  64. ^ Boehm, Rosina (30 August 2023). "Beyond the baton: Syracuse athletics through the eyes of its Orange Girl". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 9 November 2023.

Bibliography

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