Boston College. Bands Program
Historical note
The Boston College Band made its official debut with 30 members on October 20, 1919 for the Boston College-Yale football game. The groundwork for its establishment was laid by Chemistry professor Robert Parsons, SJ, in partnership with student conductor J. Carey Martin (class of 1921), who initially created a military band comprised of Students’ Army Training Corps members in 1918. With the appointment of Peter Siragus as director in 1957, the Bands Program gained university administrative oversight. Before that, the Marching Band was largely a student-directed effort. Women were admitted into the band in 1969. By 1970, in addition to numerous women musicians, the Bands implemented a 19-member majorette squad. As of 2023, the Bands Program, directed by Sebasian Bonaiuto and David Healey, reported to the Office of Student Involvement, and encompassed six ensembles with nearly 300 members: Marching Band (1919-), Wind Ensemble (2005-), BC bOp! Jazz Ensemble (1987-), Symphonic Band (1969-), Pep Band (1956-), and Dance Team (1990-).
Social Networks and Archival Context (SNAC) Identifier
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Boston College student musical ensembles collection
Records, predominantly programs, photographs, and recordings, of official Boston College student musical ensembles and their predecessors, including both instrumental and vocal ensembles under the purview of the Bands Program and the Music Department.