|
The Maryland Bands
|
|
For 50 years prior to 1909, the military-style
college heard music by the Cadet Corps Drum and Buglers. Then, in 1909, the
Maryland Agricultural College prevailed upon Mr. L. G. Smith, a local
violinist, to organize and conduct a band capable of playing for all formal
ROTC functions. The result was a 19 piece band, which set up in the barracks
behind present day South Campus Dinning Hall. It played exclusively for ROTC
functions for its first year, but later branched out to other school and
community events. By 1927, three student bands were organized, and the bands
were first recognized as an official student organization. In 1928, Sgt. Otto
Seibeneichen, retired director of the U.S. Army Band, was appointed the first
full-time director admitted to the faculty of the University of Maryland. In 1924, the old football stadium was
built. It occupied the location where Fraternity Row now stands. The stadium
was razed in 1953 so that construction of Frat Row could begin. Women were allowed
in the concert bands for the first time in 1937. Mr. Frank V. Sykora, a graduate of the
Imperial Russian Conservatory, directed the bands from 1947-1949. During his
tenure, the size of the bands grew to over 100 members and began extensive
traveling. In 1950, the football arena, Byrd Stadium,
opened with a win over Navy, and the band was fortunate to gain the guidance
of Warrant Officer Robert L. Landers, the conductor of the world renowned
"Singing Sergeants" as well as the Maryland Red and White
Band. The Music Department at Maryland was
established in 1954, led by Homer Ulrich. The university hired Ulrich as the
first full-time band director to be member of the music faculty. Hubert Henderson, hired in 1955,
established the band in the Music Department and integrated it as an ensemble
(both marching and concert) in the music performance and music education
programs. He was assisted by associate directors Norman Heim, Henry Romersa
and Acton Ostling, Jr. Queen Elizabeth visited the campus while
touring the U.S.A. in 1958. Her visit was so important that the band was
given $10,000 to purchase new uniforms to be used at the football game that
she attended. Henderson left in 1965 and Ostling
became the director of bands. John Wakefield was hired to work with Ostling as
associate director. When Ostling left in 1968, Wakefield
became the director of bands. With the help of associate directors Fred
Heath, Jerry Gardner, Dieter Zimmer and L. Richmond Sparks, Wakefield has led
the bands to the superior ensembles they are today. In August 2000, the bands
moved from their old home of Tawes into the brand new state of the art
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. In September 2001, the new band room
was dedicated to Mr. John E. Wakefield, Director of Bands, in appreciation of
all his hard work and dedication to the University of Maryland Band Program. |
|
|
