Department of Music

No. You do not have to be a music major to join the Pride of Dayton. In fact, most of the band members are not music majors. Membership of the band consists of majors in engineering, business, education, science and many other disciplines across campus including music. The Pride of Dayton is proud to be one of the most diverse organizations at the University of Dayton.

College marching band is a great way to get settled at your new home at college. It not only allows you to experience living on campus a week earlier than everyone else, it also allows you to make friends from other majors from all over the world.

• Performance for large audiences at football games, festivals, and community events.
• Family: build relationships and be a part of one of UD's largest organizations.
• Early Move-In to your dorm for the year in the fall during band camp.
• Pride: POD is one of UD's most respected student organizations.
• Rehearsals: Monday, Wednesday and Friday for and hour and a half from mid-August to early November. Easy and fun commitment.
• Course Credit: Course Credit for all UD, Sinclair, and Wright State students.
• Cost: Very little. Your secondary Nike brand Secondary Uniform is yours to keep with a one-time purchase for new members; 40% off retail.

An early standout in the UD bands was a student named Maurice Reichard. Reichard learned to play the French horn in order to join the marching band. Vogt, recognizing his talent, decided to teach Reichard every instrument.

"In the 1922 yearbook next to Reichard's name was the quote, 'What he doesn't play, ain't played,'" wrote John C. Sutton in "The Life of Maurice Reichard." Reichard went on to follow Vogt as the band's director. Under Reichard's guidance, the band flourished. Within a few years, membership soared to over 60 members and the band soon drew comparisons to much more established programs such as Michigan and West Point for its excellent drill work.

Succeeding years saw numerous talented directors take the helm of the program, including Charles W. Ritter, Claire Miller, Timothy Swinehart, Linda Hartley, Eric Wiltshire, Nicole Gross, Jeff Lehman, and Tremon Kizer among others. Their leadership has played a major role in campus spirit and athletic entertainment. The Pride of Dayton will continue to grow and develop and be the best ambassador for the Red and Blue.

The band rehearses three times a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:05 to 6:35 p.m. and on Fridays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The band also has a gameday rehearsal on Saturdays before home football games.

Band Camp is the week before Fall semester classes begin each year.

We are proud of the members of The Pride of Dayton, both for their performance on the field and in the classroom. Our students have an outstanding academic record and we have had representation of nearly every field of student offered at the University of Dayton.

• School songs include "Loyalty," "Dayton Anthem (Alma Mater)," and "Go Dayton Flyers"
• Our standards are "Neck," "In the Stone," "Hey Baby"
• Parade dances include "The Funk March," "The Sneak" Flying "D" Formation
• POD Families
• Drum Circle
• Singing the Alma Mater after Rehearsals/Performances

It's easy. Just complete these two steps:

1. Register for Band Camp.
2. Tell your Advisor that you want to register for Marching Band (MUS 390 03) when you schedule your classes.

There are no auditions, but there will be a hearing at band camp to determine part assignments. Wright State/Sinclair students, please contact Kenneth Will for information on how you can participate in marching band at the University of Dayton.