Timeline - The Spirit of Troy

1917 - The director and 18 members of the Trojan Marching Band entered the service of the United States Navy and were assigned to the cruiser USS Pueblo for a duration of the War. During a period of three and a half years, the Pueblo was engaged in submarine scouting patrols, often off the coast of South America.

During this service, the men of the Trojan Band would draw land duty, and occasionally perform in parades and at functions for visiting dignitaries and high military officials. They soon earned a reputation as one of the finest military bands in anyone's service. The band received its first exposure to the national limelight when it had the distinct privilege of performing under the baton of John Phillip Sousa. After the signing of the Armistice in November 1918, the men of the Trojan Marching Band were given the honor of leading America's returning servicemen in the victory parade up New York City's "Heroes' Canyon".

 

1922 - "Fight On" was composed by USC dental student Milo Sweet as an entry to inspire fans and players in a Trojan spirit contest.

 

1923 - The words and music to USC's alma mater, "All Hail," were composed by Al Wesson, the sports information director at USC from 1928-42. As a member of the Trojan Marching Band, Wesson wrote the song for the finale of a 1923 campus show.

 

1929 - On April 19, 1929, the Trojan Band gave its first national radio concert, broadcasted over the Columbia (CBS) national radio network from a campus auditorium.

 

1930 - "Tommy Trojan" unveiled for USC's 50th anniversary. ("The Spirit of Troy" was the name originally intended for the statue.)

 

1931 - Uniforms consist of white flannel trousers, white shoes, cardinal hat (like ship's captain), flowing gold shirts with a cardinal Trojan head insignia, and a sash around the waist.

 

1932 - TMB formed the 10th Olympic Braid for the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

 

1933 - TMB wears white pants and shoes with dark jackets that zipped up in front (like heavy windbreakers, possibly made from cotton); cardinal jackets with gold waist, cuffs, collar, and a Trojan head where the breast pocket would be; and a military-style captain's hat.

 

1936 - The TMB adopts unusual marching band uniforms: Cardinal pants, white shoes, double-breasted gold blazers, neckties and fedoras.

 

1938 - TMB gets military-style uniforms: hats with plumes, cardinal pants, white shoes, cardinal jackets with gold front, embroidered tails, and white straps crossing the chest.

 

1943 - According to legend, "Fight On" blared from the deck of a transport ship as Americans stormed a beach on an island held by the Japanese during World War II. The U.S. troops let out a tremendous roar and eventually won the island.

 

1946 - New uniforms again; still military-style, still white shoes & no gloves, but more like what the Cal Band wears now, particularly the hats. The yearbook said the TMB was "sporting new uniforms that rival those of the doorman at the Waldorf."

 

1950 - the USC marching band first wears helmets (though without brushes/plumes) and Trojan style uniforms. The new uniforms were cardinal pants, with gold jackets that had a torch emblem. Previously they wore standard military issue type uniforms and hats.

 

1953 - "Conquest," an excerpt from Alfred Newman's Oscar-nominated score for the film Captain from Castile, was first played by the Trojan Marching Band. It would become the university's standard victory march.

 

1954 - The band did its first out-of-state football game, against Oregon in Portland (USC won 24-14).

 

1960 - Uniform changes but same helmets remain. The gold jackets were out - replaced with cardinal jackets with a gold cape-like thing in back. The full band wore gold breastplates. These had the same torch emblem that the old jackets had, but with a Trojan head above the emblem.

 

1966 - USC Trumpet Alum Herb Alpert won three Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year.

 

1970 – Dr. Arthur C. Bartner arrives and creates the modern-day Spirit of Troy..

 

1971 - Associate director and arranger Tony Fox arrives to arrange charts. Completely new uniforms: arrival of the "moon boots"; cardinal pants and jackets with a braid across the front; capes with "cookie"-style clasps; a "key design" on the borders and down the sleeves; no gloves; and still using the same helmets.

 

1972 - New helmets with brushes, complete with visors and earguards for the first time. First year women are allowed to join the band (other than during WWII '42-'45).

 

1973 - The Spirit of Troy entertains viewers around the world at the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day with Diana Ross. First full band trip to Notre Dame Stadium. "Frankenstein," by Edgar Winter, performed for the first time at the game.

 

1974 - The Sprirt of Troy performs with Tower of Power at the Rose Bowl.

 

1978 - Dr. Bartner selected as the musical director for the Annual Japan Bowl, an American College All Star Football Game held in Tokyo, Japan. Bartner will hold this post until 1993, the last year the game is played.

 

1979 - Fleetwood Mac asked the band to perform with them. The result was the song "Tusk", whose album of the same name went platinum. The song is often performed at sporting events, particularly as a victory song

 

1980 - In the University's centennial year, new uniforms are introduced at halftime for Homecoming. "Moon boots" are replaced by white spats; the band now wears white gloves and gauntlets. New jackets have Trojan head logo on shield, and open in the back for the first time. Pants now have gold and white striping down sides. The "key design" on the uniforms is gone. Helmets are changed slightly, but still have brushes.

 

1984 - Dr. Bartner directs 800-member All American College Marching Band at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. One-hundred and twenty five (125) members from the Spirit of Troy form the “core” of this band.

 

1987 - USC Trumpets selected as official fanfare unit for Pope John Paul II for his Mass at Dodger Stadium. The USC Trojan Marching Band begins its streak of attending every football game, both home and away, that continues to this day and is unrivaled by any other Division I Marching Band. The band is chosen to perform at Super Bowl XXI in Pasadena.

 

1988 - The band performs at Super Bowl XXII in San Diego, its second consecutive Super Bowl appearance, and also performs at Dodger Stadium during the World Series. A portion of the band tours Australia during the summer during celebrations of the Australian Bicentenary, including performances at Expo '88. Doc Severinsen performs with the band at halftime of the Oregon State game.

 

1990 - The Spirit of Troy's year begins on New Year's Day at the Rose Bowl. Three weeks later, part of the band travels to New Orleans for Super Bowl XXIV. In the summer, the band tours Europe and gives a concert at the recently opened Berlin Wall, also performing in Amsterdam, Brussels and Innsbruck.

 

1992 - Members of the USC Band travel abroad to Japan, EuroDisneyland, and Spain for the Seville Expo '92.

 

1993 - The Spirit of Troy entertains fans from around the world at the Rose Bowl with guest artist Michael Jackson. Later in the year, U.S. Representative and USC alumnus Christopher Cox welcomes visiting members of the band from the floor of Congress.

 

1994 - The Spirit of Troy travels to France to commerate the 50th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy. The Band also performs at the World Cup Opening Ceremonies in Pasadena and at the Three Tenors concert.

 

1999 - USC trumpet alum Kevin Norton is nominated for three Grammy Awards as a part of the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Kevin takes home two out of three: Best Pop Instrumental Performance: "Sleepwalk", The Brian Setzer Orchestra (track from The Dirty Boogie), Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal: "Jump Jive An' Wail," The Brian Setzer Orchestra (track from The Dirty Boogie).

 

2003 - Members of the Trojan Marching Band perform at Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. This year marks the 15th biennial trip to Notre Dame.

 

2004 - On New Year's Day, the Trojan Marching Band performs the National Anthem with John Williams at the Rose Bowl as USC wins its 11th National Championship in football. One hundred members of the Spirit of Troy travel to mainland China in May and give performances at the Great Wall of China, Western Gate of Xi'an, and Downtown Shanghai. Members of the band also travel to Hong Kong for the second consecutive year to perform at Chinese New Year.

 

2005 - Members of the Spirt of Troy travel to the World Expo in Nagoya, Japan. This marks the second time the Trojan Marching Band has represented the United States at the World's Fair. Additionally, the band performed in Tokyo and Kyoto. This also marks the university's 125th anniversary. The band makes it 16th consecutive trip to South Bend for the USC-Notre Dame Rivalry Game. The band performs with George Clinton for halftime against Fresno State in the Coliseum in November.

 

2006 - The Spirit of Troy traveled to Italy in May, where they played in front of the original Colosseum and in the Piazza Navona. They also stopped in Venice and Florence with an additional performance at the Piazza della Signora and the Boboli Gardens.