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Band History

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UCLA Band Timeline

1925 The UCLA Band begins as a 50-piece ROTC unit under the direction of W.G. Powell. An informal student-run pep band also exists to play at various events. 1927 The Pep Band becomes known as the University Band and was officially recognized as a campus activity by the Student Council. 1928 Student Presidential candidate Piper pledged himself to the task of getting uniforms and a salaried director for the band. He wins the presidency and with unanimous support of the Student Council, funds are voted to cover the expense of uniforms and retention of a musical director. The first director is Ben Laietsky who was formerly in John Philip Sousa's band. Under his direction the band not only plays at games, but also welcomes Sousa to Los Angeles on his last visit. "Southern Campus," the school's yearbook, wrote extensively about the newly-uniformed band: "The band was at last a reality...Against the green of playing field, the band made an effective picture in their trim uniforms of blue and gold. As they marched down the length of the Coliseum in perfect step to the martial swing of the blaring music the entire rooting section rose with a triumphant shout. For five years this moment had been awaited. It was more than a band that was playing; it was five years of effort capped with success..." Members of the band form the Kappa Theta Psi fraternity, which, in 1929, becomes Psi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi when they petition with the national organizaiton. 1932 The band travels by boat to play at the Stanford football game. The Concert Band is formed to offer more musical activities during the spring semester. 1936 The band marches in the Rose Parade for the first time. George Gershwin dedicates his hit "Strike Up the Band" with its newly written lyrics to the UCLA band. 1941 The band is chosen as the best band in the Tournament of Roses Parade. 1952 Dr. Clarence Sawhill left his job at USC to become the Director of Bands at UCLA. The Band makes 56 appearances - including football games, basketball game, pep rallies, and concerts. Under Sawhill's direction the Band program is expanded to include a 100-piece Concert 80-piece Symphonic Wind Ensemble, a 144-piece Marching Band, and a 60-piece Varsity Band. 1961 The Wind Ensemble goes on tour in Europe to Vienna, Paris, and Copenhagen. 1969 The Marching Band performs at the Academy Awards "Oscar" presentations. 1970 The Wind Ensemble goes on tour to Mexico City and Guadalajara, Mexico.   1972 Clarence Sawhill retires as Director of Bands. Women are admitted as members of the Marching Band for the first time other than during World War II. 1973 Bandswomen petition the national organization of Tau Beta Sigma and are installed as the Epsilon Kappa chapter. Epsilon Kappa's charter members are Carrie Card, Rita Jensen, Jean Lake, Cynthia Morse, and Gayle von Mizener. 1976 The Marching Band performs at two bowl games - the Rose Bowl in January and the Liberty Bowl in December of the following football season. 1980 The Marching Band performs at the Mirage Bowl in Tokyo, Japan. 1982 Gordon Henderson is appointed Director of the Marching and Varsity Band. 1984 125 UCLA band members participate in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, comprising over fifteen percent of the 736-member performing group. 35 of the band members also perform at venues of individual Olympic events. Bill Conti composes "The Mighty Bruins," a new fight song for UCLA, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the UCLA Alumni Association. The Marching Band presents the "Downfall of Troy" show for the first time. 1985 Dr. Thomas Lee is appointed Director of Bands. The present set of band uniforms, based on designs submitted by band members, is purchased. 1989 Gordon Henderson becomes Director of the Jazz Ensembles. 1991 The Wind Ensemble premieres a musical montage on the CBS special "1991 - A Year to Remember", and receives one of television's prestigious Emmy nominations. 1992 The Wind Ensemble premiere's Paul Reale's "Columbus Concerto" at the XIV International Forum of New Music in Mexico City. The UCLA Band wins the Band Bowl by a score of 58 to 12, equalling the record margin of victory of the 1964 game, won by UCLA 52 to 6. UCLA leads the series 23 to 10. 1993 The UCLA Bruin Marching Band receives the Sudler Trophy from the John Philip Sousa Foundation. Band alumni are invited and encouraged to contribute their recollections, pictures, programs, etc., to this history. Please E-mail Gordon Henderson at gh@ucla.edu.