|
In
1970, the SU Bands established itself as a true world-class program.
Under
the planning of Lyle Babcock and his successor M. Douglas Soyars (founder
of SU’s Music Industry program, and still an active professor),
the “Syracuse All-Collegiate Marching Band” and Orange
Girl Candy Franck toured Europe from August 2nd-23rd. The highlight
of the trip was winning three awards in parade, field and concert competition
at the World Band Festival in Kerkrade, Holland. The
band returned to the Hill that fall to much acclaim, including a banner
on campus exclaiming how “Proud” the university was of
its efforts. This inspired Archbold Stadium’s PA to announce
the band as “The Pride of the Orange” when they took the
field on September 19th during Syracuse’s home-opener against
Houston—the name has stuck to this day. One
year later, in November 1971, the world-renown Pride got to show off
in front of a much larger crowd, marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving
Day Parade. Also
in ‘71, Syracuse’s basketball pep band was permanently
replaced by a student-run organization known as the Sour Sitrus Society—so
named for the “sour” notes the band played during its first
season. Though the Band Department offered some assistance, Sitrus
was supported mainly by its own members. At one point, Men’s
Coach Jim Boeheim served as the group’s advisor. As
the decade progressed, the program went through several directors (Robert
A. Fought, 1972-74 & Norbert Buskey, 1974-1980). Director Soyars
took over both the S.U. Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.
In
1979, The Pride headed to Shreveport, LA to perform in its first bowl
game in 12 years. To honor the occasion, the team even treated the
band and rest of its fans to a 31-7 victory over McNeese State.
The History
of the Syracuse University Band Program
|
Alumni
