Razorback Marching Band History

The Razorback band was formed as the Cadet Corps Band in 1874. It was formed as a part of the Military Art Department in the University of Arkansas's fourth year of operation. This makes it one of the oldest collegiate bands in the United States. The Cadet Corps Band served in all functions of campus life. Not only did the band participate in all of the formalities of the Military Art Department, but it also played in football games, pageants, and commencement exercises.

On June 5, 1924, the Lambda Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, was formed at the University of Arkansas. The fraternity's purpose was, and is to this day, to promote the existence and welfare of the University Band. After World War II, the band enjoyed steady growth, and in 1947 divided into three bands: a football band, a concert band, and an R.O.T.C. band. In 1948, E.J. Marty became the Director of Bands and turned the 42 piece football band into the famous "Marching 100", known throughout America as one of the best bands in the nation.

On November 11, 1950, the Psi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority, was founded at the University of Arkansas. Together with the Lambda Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, they aided in making the University of Arkansas Band one of the finest musical organizations in the country.

In 1956, Dr. Richard A. "Doc" Worthington became Director of Bands during a slump in band enrollment. Dr. Worthington was quickly able to turn the "Hopeful 78" into the MARCHING RAZORBACKS, an innovative and contemporary marching band whose style, form, and incredible sound continue to be a tradition here at the University of Arkansas.

In 1995, Professor Eldon Janzen, Director of Bands and Lambda Chapter Sponsor, retired after leading the band through almost three decades of success. In response to his tremendous dedication, the University awarded him with the title "Director of Bands, Emeritus", the first such title to be given to any band director at the University of Arkansas.

Currently, there are three directors working with the students in the Razorback Band program. Dr. Christopher Knighten is the Director of Athletic Bands, W. Dale Warren is the Director of Concert Bands, and Jeremy Pratchard is the Associate Director of Bands. Since its inception, the band has grown and now encompasses more than the Marching Razorbacks. The band program at the University of Arkansas currently has three concert bands, two HogWild basketball pep bands, and one HogWild volleyball pep band. Together these programs provide musical experiences and opportunities for approximately 350 college musicians each year.

The Marching Razorbacks have performed at numerous bowls, including the Las Vegas, Citrus, two Cotton, Sugar, Gator, Liberty, Independence, Orange, Hall of Fame, Dixie, Fiesta, Holiday, Bluebonnet, and Carquest Bowls, as well as performing the half-time show of Dallas Cowboys football games. The band has also performed with "Doc" Severinson and Jimmy Walker, and has played for such dignitaries as President John F. Kennedy and General Norman Schwartzkopf. In 1992, the band participated in the Presidential Inaugural Parade. The band has also participated as the Grand Finale Band in Ireland's 1997 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. In April of 2000, the UA Wind Symphony performed in world-famous Carnegie Hall in New York City as a part of Carnegie Hall's Distinguished Ensemble Debut Series.

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE!!
The University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band: a History 1874-2004
by T.T. Tyler Thompson

From the small Cadet Band that supported the school’s military department to the “best in sight and sound” Marching Razorbacks that are a staple of the university’s athletic program, the band has provided the soundtrack to the University of Arkansas.

The rich history of the Razorback Band has spanned almost the entire existence of the University of Arkansas. This book documents the distinguished 130-year history of the band from its humble beginnings in 1874 as an adjunct to the military cadet squad to the major college organization that it is today. Both as a supporting player of the military and ROTC programs and of the athletic department, the Razorback Band has provided the spirited musical excitement required through the years, as well as performing concerts on its own for an appreciative student body and community audience with the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble. Add to that the parallel story of the evolution of an exciting basketball and volleyball spirit band—the Hogwild Band—and you have in this lavishly illustrated book the first-ever history of the music makers of the University of Arkansas.

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University of Arkansas Music Department

The Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, offering the Bachelor of Music with areas of emphasis in Music Education, Performance, Composition, and Theory and the Bachelor of Arts with a emphasis in music. At the graduate level, the Master of Music in all performance specialties, Vocal and Instrumental Conducting, Theory and Composition, History of Music (including an option in Early Music Performance), as well as the Master of Education in Music Education are offered. The Music Department has a distinguished full-time faculty of 40 professors. Fayetteville is in the scenic Boston Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, a thriving area of well over 60,000 residents. The University has a resident student population of approximately 16,000 and is the cultural and recreational focus of a beautiful region. There are many outstanding performance opportunities throughout the University and the community, including the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, a wide range of choral ensembles, Opera Theater, three concert bands, marching band, basketball/other specialized bands, Jazz Ensemble, early music performance, and chamber/solo performance opportunities. Performances are given in the nationally acclaimed Walton Arts Center and the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall, designed by famed Arkansas Architect Edward Durre Stone. Summer study opportunities include the highly acclaimed Music Festival of Arkansas plus staffing opportunities in our summer music camps.

The University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas was established at Fayetteville in 1871. It opened its doors to students on January 22, 1872. From a small beginning of eight students and three faculty members, the University has grown to serve as the major center of liberal and professional education as well as the primary land-grant campus in the state. In addition, it is Arkansas' major source of theoretical and applied research and the provider of a wide range of public services to people throughout the state and the nation. In serving its threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service, the University strives to be recognized for excellence and continues to expand and strengthen its nationally and regionally competitive programs while maintaining a high level of competence in all programs. The University offers a broad spectrum of academic programs leading to baccalaureate, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees, not only in traditional disciplines within arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences, but also in the core professional areas of agriculture, architecture, business, education, engineering, home economics, and law. To complement the strong, broad-based undergraduate program, the University offers graduate education leading to the master's degree in over 96 fields, to the specialist degree in education, and to the doctoral degree in 32 carefully selected areas. In each of these programs, teaching activities are integrated with research activities.