Band to the Ready

It’s Shippensburg University Marching Band at band camp, as they prepare for another season.

One hundred years ago, Cumberland Valley State Normal School music teacher D.O. Slyter embarked on an experiment by organizing 28 student-musicians into the school’s first marching band. There were no uniforms, equipment, or designated space for the band in that first year, but all that was needed was the love of music.

Over the course of the next century, the Shippensburg University Marching Band would grow in size and influence. It’s represented Ship on the national and international level and most importantly has impacted the lives of thousands of Ship students.

It’s an especially impressive achievement for a school that has never offered a music major. Ship students join the band for the sense of community, school pride and of course, just like in 1924, for the love of music.

And now, sit back and enjoy the sights and stories of the university’s centerpiece of school spirit and pride as we celebrate 100 years with the Shippensburg University Marching Band!

D.O. Slyter organizes the Cumberland Valley State Normal School Band. The entirely male band consisted of 28 students.

SU Band Directors Through the Years

1924–1926 | D.O. Slyter ▸

1926–1931 | Albert W. Wassell

1931–1934 | Ward Avery

1934–1956 | James C. Weaver

1956–1958 | Robert Surplus

1958–1963 | Wayne Mowery

1963–1966 | John W. Reitmeyer

1966–1968 | Miles V. Cowdrey

1968–1969 | John W. Reitmeyer

1969–1970 | Gordon Fouts

1970-1994 | Bennie S. Truax

1994–1995 | Patrick M. Jones

1995–1997 | Gerald A. Edgreen

1997–2000 | Mark Heidel

2000–2001 | Bernie Pitkin

2001–present | Trever R. Famulare

The band becomes more organized with uniforms, instruments for students, and official practice rooms. “No pep meeting or game is complete without the enthusiastic spirit and loyal support of these men.”

1931 1933

For the first time, women are fully admitted into the band and majorettes and color guard are formed.

1939

Under the direction of James Weaver, student officers are added, and new, more complex halftime shows are designed. At this time, the band doubled in size and added drums majors.

1960s 1947

1955

1956

Delta Chapter of Pi Nu Epsilon founded at Ship. This exclusive fraternity is dedicated to music, diverse musical traditions, and college community service.

Bennie Truax

For nearly on quarter of its existence, the university marching band was under the direction of Dr. Bennie S. Truax. Truax earned a Bachelor of Science in music education from Mansfield University in 1958, a Master of Science in music education from Ithaca College in 1963 and a Doctor of Education in music education from Penn State University in 1971. Before arriving at Ship, he was the director of bands for Wellsboro and Huntingdon Area Schools.

As director, Truax prioritized expanding the size and exposure for the band. The band traveled more frequently during the Truax era, performing at exhibitions, competitions, and even during halftimes at National Football League games. Truax also served the university on various committees and councils, served as a department chairperson for the Music Department, and was a member of several nationally recognized professional organizations.

1979

Televised on ESPN, Shippensburg University and Slippery Rock face off on the football field at the University of Michigan in front of 61,000+ fans—a number that remains the largest single-game crowd at a DII football game. The band traveled to perform during the game. Ship won 45–14.

1982

1976 1977

In 1976, the band performed at a campaign event in Harrisburg for presidential candidate Jimmy Carter. And the following year, First Lady Rosalyn Carter invited the band to perform at the inauguration of 39th President Jimmy Carter in Washington, DC.

1983

Under the direction of Bennie Truax, the band grew to 170 members and added the Pom Squad.

19

96

Ship performed in the inaugural Allentown Collegiate Marching Band Festival, a renowned venue for marching band and drum corps performances.

2003

The Lambda Delta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi was established at Ship. Famous members of this national organization that honors outstanding band members include Philip Sousa, Neil Armstrong, and Ray Charles.

A special thank you to Bill Dean, who has documented the last 41 years of the marching band. Dean, a Shippensburg resident, has followed the band with his camera in hand, capturing a visual record of almost every performance.

It’s a beautiful day in Shippensburg.” —Bill Dean

2015

In November the band was invited to play both pre-game and halftime for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals game. The band performed the Pennsylvania Polka for pre-game during the 40th anniversary of the Terrible Towel. For the halftime show they played the second half of their marching band show Revolution Evolution, which included Enterprising Young Men from Star Trek and New Divide by Linkin Park.

2014

Dr. Trever Famulare began offering international performance opportunities in 2014 with the marching band’s first tour to Ireland where they performed in the Dublin New Year’s Eve Parade.

2019

Just getting started

We hope you’ll join us for one of the many celebrations we’ve planned to celebrate 100 years of marching band at Ship!

April 27

SUMB Annual Golf Tournament (Scan the QR for details.)

May 31–June 1

Alumni Weekend Band Reunion (See page 35 for details.)

September 14

First Home football game and SUMB field show

October 18 and 19

Homecoming Weekend

Visit ShipRaiders.com to view the full home football game schedule.

2024

The band traveled to Italy and performed in St. Peters Square and Vatican City for the Pope’s New Year’s Day Parade and received a blessing from the Pope.

The band traveled to the Czech Republic for a performance tour of the Czech Republic and Germany in November. Read more about band member Allyson Ritchey’s experience on page 14.