Spirit of Troy
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| The University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band "The Spirit of Troy" |
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| School | University of Southern California |
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Conference | Pacific Ten Conference |
| Founded | 1880 |
| Director | Dr. Arthur C. Bartner |
| Members | 260 |
| Uniform | Cardinal Jacket and White Breastplate with Trojan Logo; Cardinal Bibs with White and Yellow Trim; Trojan-style Helmet with Cardinal plume; Gold Cape with Cardinal Border; Black Shoes with White Spats; White Gloves; Dark Sunglasses |
The Spirit of Troy, also known as the University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band (TMB), self-described as "The Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe," is the marching band of the University of Southern California, representing USC at various collegiate sports, broadcast, popular music recording, and national public appearance functions. A contingent of the band has performed at every USC football game, home and away, since 1987. This streak of 259 consecutive games (through 2007 season) is unrivaled by any other college or university band.[citation needed] Additionally, the Spirit of Troy has traveled every other year since 1973 to South Bend, Indiana to support the team in its annual rivalry against Notre Dame. The band gives a concert after every football game. It also makes an international trip at least every other year. In addition, the Spirit of Troy has performed with numerous celebrities including John Williams, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Doc Severinsen, George Clinton, Fleetwood Mac, The Three Tenors and The Offspring.[1] The TMB prides itself in being the entertainment industry preference whenever a script or producer requires a college marching band to appear in film, recording, or television broacast.
The Trojan Shrine, the symbol of USC and popularly known as "Tommy Trojan", was originally supposed to be named "The Spirit of Troy".[1]
The band has performed for seven U.S. presidents, at the Summer Olympics and on the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards and the season 7 finale of American Idol.[2][1]
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[edit] Directors
- J.Paul Elliott (1914 - ?)
- Harold Roberts (1926 - 1936)
- Clarence Sawhill (1947 - 1952)
- Dr. Arthur C. Bartner (1970 - present)
[edit] Ties to the movie industry
The band has appeared in several movies and television shows, including:
- Fame
- Forrest Gump (as the Alabama Band)
- Grease 2 (as the Rydell High School Band)
- Hello, Dolly!
- The Last Boy Scout
- The Little Rascals
- The Naked Gun
- Scrubs, in the episode "My Best Friend's Baby's Baby and My Baby's Baby"
- Sgt. Bilko
- That's Entertainment II
- Two Minute Warning
The band also appeared in the Academy Award shows of 1976 and 2000 as well as at the 2004 Grammy Awards with OutKast.[2]
The band has played at the Hollywood Bowl's "Tchaikovsky Spectacular" for over 20 years, helping supplement the Los Angeles Philharmonic during an 1812 Overture finale.[2]
[edit] Notable former members
[edit] History
The TMB was founded in 1880, the same year as USC. In November 1918, at the end of World War I, members of the TMB led a victory parade of America's returning servicemen in New York City. "Fight On", the fight song of the University was composed in 1922 and became a part of the TMB tradition. In 1923, the school's alma mater, "All Hail", was composed by a member of the TMB, Al Wesson. The TMB gave its first national radio concert on CBS on April 19, 1929. The band participated in the 1932 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, forming the Olympic Braid in the opening ceremonies in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (coincidentally USC's home stadium).[1]
After wearing various uniforms over the years, particularly those with a military-style, the band began using basic, unadorned Trojan-style helmets and uniforms in 1950. Three years later, the TMB adopted "Conquest", a song composed by Alfred Newman for the film Captain from Castile as a victory march. The TMB made its first trip outside of California in 1954, traveling to Portland, Oregon to play a USC-Oregon game that the Trojans would win, 24–14. During the Grammy Awards of 1966, TMB trumpet alumnus Herb Alpert won three Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year. Dr. Art Bartner took over the program in 1970, and began shaping the band into its current form. Women were allowed to join the band in 1972.[1]
After several more uniform changes, the TMB began using more elaborate Trojan helmets with brushes, visors, and ear flaps in 1972. In 1973 the TMB began its tradition of sending the full band to games at USC-Notre Dame rivalry games at Notre Dame Stadium.[1]
In 1979, the TMB was invited by Fleetwood Mac to perform and record "Tusk", the title song for the album Tusk. The album went double-platinum and was adopted as a part of the TMB's traditional selections.[3][1]
During the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Dr. Bartner directed a 800-member All American College Marching Band, 125 of which were members of the TMB. 1987 featured several significant moments for the band: The TMB trumpets performed the fanfare for Pope John Paul II in his visit to Los Angeles, the band performed during Super Bowl XXI in Pasadena, and the band began its current streak of attending all USC home and way football games. In 1988, the TMB performed again at Super Bowl XXII in San Diego, at the Expo '88 World's Fair held in Brisbane, Australia during that nation's bicentenary.[1]
The band took several more international trips in the 1990s, including to the Berlin Wall after its fall, Amsterdam, Brussels, Innsbruck, Japan, the then-EuroDisneyLand in France, the Seville Expo '92, and to France to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings. The band also participated in Super Bowl XXIV in New Orleans, the opening ceremony of the 1994 FIFA World Cup. In 1993, USC alumnus and then U.S. Representative Christopher Cox welcomed the band from the floor of the Congress.[1]
In 2003, the TMB performed during the Chinese New Year celebration in Hong Kong, a year later they also played at the Great Wall of China, Xi'an, Shanghai as well as returning to Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year. The TMB participated in Expo 2005 in Nagoya, Japan, while also performing in Tokyo and Kyoto. In 2006 the TMB went to Italy and performed in Venice, Florence and in front of the Colosseum of Rome.[1]
At the end of the 2007 season, the TMB appeared in the 93rd Rose Bowl. This marks the 31st time USC has played in the "Granddaddy of Them All".
[edit] Gameday routine
- 6:09 AM - Breakfast
- 6:34 AM - Tuning/Warm-up
- 7:00 AM - Sectional rehearsal (around campus)
- 8:00 AM - Ensemble rehearsal (Cromwell Field/Track Stadium)
- 11:00 AM - Break
- 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff - Drumline warm-ups (west side of Heritage Hall)
- 2 hours before kickoff - Band warm-ups (Heritage Hall steps, east side)
- 1 hr 45 min before kickoff - Rally at Associate's Tailgate (Alumni Park)
- 1 hr 30 min before kickoff - Rally in front of Bovard Auditorium (march to stadium afterwards)
- 30 minutes before kickoff - "Tunnel Run" into Coliseum and enter stadium
- 20 minutes before kickoff - Pregame show
- Postgame - Concert in the Coliseum, march back to campus, play Conquest at Tommy Trojan (only after victory), and end at the bookstore.
[edit] References
- http://www.usc.edu/dept/band/TMB_Press_Pack.pdf
- http://www.usc.edu/about/history/vonkleinsmid_era.html
- http://www.geocities.com/usctrojan/timeline.htm
[edit] External links
- Official Spirit of Troy web site
- USC Marching Band named 3rd Best College Marching Band by CollegeSports-Fans.com
- The Spirit of Troy at the Internet Movie Database
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