Baugher, Taylor

Burgess, Meghann

Cosner, Matthew

Gardner, Stephanie S.

English

Bridgewater College Digital Commons

Getting the Band Back Together:History  Exhibit HomeNov 3, 1956 BCBee Band ArticleHistory of the Old BC Marching BandAlthough there was a pep band to spread school spirit and a concert bandfor formal performances in the 1940s, the of cial Bridgewater CollegeMarching Band did not debut until October 28, 1950. The BridgewaterCollege Marching band made its  rst appearance at that year’sHomecoming game against Randolph-Macon Academy.  The marchingband was comprised of 25 members, all of whom came from the concertband.  It was directed by Professor Paul B. Sanger Jr.  The historic Bridgewater College Marching Band would spend the next 20years rousing school spirit. They did this at sports events and pep ralliesthrough uplifting music and the enthusiastic collaboration of cheerleaders,shield-bearers, and majorettes.  There were performances at College half-time events and band members travelled with sports teams to games atother institutions. The band’s bright red, black, and gold uniforms added tothe appeal of the group. The 1959 edition of the Bridgewater Collegeyearbook Ripples describes the marching band as accompanying thecheerleaders through residence halls to rouse the student body into a grandmarch to pep rallies.  Residents of Bridgewater would often see themarching band leading the charge down Main Street during Homecoming.When the football season ended, the marching band reorganized andperformed concerts at Christmas and in spring.   A part of local history as well as campus history, the original BridgewaterCollege Marching Band won  rst place in the Harrisonburg Veterans’ DayParades from 1966 to 1968. The band also occasionally performed at localhigh schools to raise interest and appreciation for music in the nextgeneration of college students.The saying goes that all good things must come to an end, and the originalBridgewater marching band was no different. After twenty years of hardk d d di t d i th hi b d di l d i 1970 b DLast Updated: Oct 12, 2021 7:46 PM URL: https://libguides.bridgewater.edu/band_history  Print Page Staff LoginCopyright © 2021 Bridgewater Collegework and dedicated service, the marching band was dissolved in 1970 by Dr.Robert C. Monroe, the new director, who wished to focus the band onconcert performances. However, various other reasons are often given bycontemporary sources for the ending, such as personnel changes,unpopular new uniforms, and the shifting focus of the music program. Whatever the case, the marching band was missed!  Enjoy these imagesfrom the Bridgewater College archives with artifacts on loan and from theReuel B. Pritchett Museum Collection as we explore how BridgewaterCollege is Getting the Band Back Together! BC Band's First Public AppearanceThe marching band’s  rst public appearance outside of performing at College events was the November 11, 1966Veterans’ Day Parade in Harrisonburg, VA, in which the band won  rst place. The band numbered just 34 members andincluded shield-bearers and majorettes. The band would go on to win  rst place at the Veterans’ Day Parade in 1967and ’68 as well. Bridgewater College Library Services 402 East College St Bridgewater, VA 22812 P: (Phone) 540-828-5413 

Getting the Band Back Together

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Getting the Band Back Together

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