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The History of The Bulldog Marching Band
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| These pictures are courtesy of Lola Franchini, a member of the Fresno State Marching band from 1937 - 1940. |
| - 1911 Fresno Normal School was formed. Professor Arthur G. Wahlberg was head of the music department.
- 1926 The first band was started with Mr. A. G. Forsblad as the director, the band consisted of 36 members.
- 1934 Fresno Normal School became Fresno State College. The school officially adopted a new fight song entitled "Fight Varsity".
- 1935 Sporting new uniforms, the FSC Band traveled to the California Pacific Exhibition in San Diego where the feature attraction was "Fresno Day."
- 1936 The FSC Band traveled to San Francisco to play for the opening of the San Francisco Bay Bridge; they placed 4th in the parade.
- 1937 The first annual Band Banquet was held at the Hotel Fresno.
- 1939 A.G. Forsblad, Director of the FSC Band, directed a 1,000-piece band at the foundation ceremony of Friant Dam.
- 1942 All ensembles at FSC were weakened because most of the men were called to fight WWII.
- 1950 Elwyn Schwartz became the Director of Bands succeeding Forsbald.
- 1953 Russell Howland succeeded Schwartz as Director of Bands.
- 1955 FSC moved to a new location on Shaw Avenue.
- 1959 Dean Killon became the Director of Bands.
- 1960 Arthur Barnes succeeded Killon as Director of Bands.
- 1964 John. H. Martin became Director of Bands.
- 1969 Lawrence R. Sutherland became Director of Bands succeeding Martin.
- 1972 FSC became CSU, Fresno.
- 1979 The Jazz Band "A" traveled to Montreaux, Switzerland to play in the Montreaux Jazz Festival. Dr. Sutherland directed the Band.
- 1980 Frank Bibb became the Associate Director of Bands and took charge of the Bulldog Marching Band. Dr. Sutherland remained Director of Bands conducting Jazz Band "A" and the Wind Ensemble.
- 1983 The Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band "A" toured Japan and performed at the 1983 Japanese Band Director's Clinic.
- 1984 M. Scott McBride became the new Associate Director of Bands.
- 1991 Bill Barbour became the new director of the Bulldog Marching Band replacing Dr. M. Scott McBride.
- 1991 Construction of a new, state-of-the-art music building is complete.
- 1992 Large budget cuts resulted in the unexpected loss of Fresno State's Marching Band program. Dr. Sutherland organized and directed the "Spirit Band" to perform stand tunes at the football games.
- 1993 Dr. Gary P. Gilroy, newly hired Associate Director of Bands, restarted the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band and Symphonic Band; he also installed the newly formed Bulldog Beat.
- 1994 Under continuous growth, The Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band participated in the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
- 1996 The Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Sutherland, traveled to New York to perform at Carnegie Hall on June 2, 1996
- 1996 The Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band received a "screaming new image" with their new uniforms.
- 1999 The Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band Drumline received new Yamaha marching snare, tenor, and bass drums including carriers and stands.
- 1999 The Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band marches to a "Million Dollar Beat" receiving a $1,000,000 donation from a generous, anonymous donor.
- 2000 The Wind Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Sutherland, traveled and toured China for two weeks in June performing at numberous elite Chinese venues.
- 2000 This year marks the 8th year for The Fresno State Bulldog Marching under Associate Director of Bands, Dr. Gary P. Gilroy.
- 2004 The CSUF Wind Ensemble under the direcion of Dr. Sutherland travels to New Orleans and peforms at the New Orleans Wind Festival.
- 2004 Dr. Lawrence R. Sutherland, Director of Bands, celebrates his 35th year at Fresno State!
- 2006 Dr. Lawrence R. Sutherland, Director of Bands, takes the Wind Ensemble to England.
- 2006 Dr. Lawrence R. Sutherland retires as Director of Bands.
- 2006 Dr. Gary P. Gilroy becomes Director of Bands.
- 2006 Mr. Tim T. Anderson is hired as Interim Bulldog Marching Band Director.
- 2007 Mr. Tim T. Anderson becomes Associate Director of Bands.
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