Towson University Bands
Official TU Bands WebsiteSymphonic Band
In 1959, Benjamin Glover became the first Director of Bands at Towson State College. At this time there was no Marching Band, only a Symphonic Band. In the late 1960's when Mr. Roberts left, Dale Rauschenburg, who is now the percussion instructor, directed the band. During this time, Towson was honored with two guest conductors, Vincent Persichetti and Willim Revelli. The next Director, directed the band for three years, and his name was Dr. David Marchand. After Dr. Marchand, Ray Moore briefly directed the bands. The next Director, Robert Doster, started the Tiger Marching Band in 1980 which is still in existence today. In the fall of 1983, Dr. Dana Rothlisberger assumed the role of Director of Bands. Under Dr. Rothlisberger's direction the Towson Band's have gained the most exposure.The Symphonic Band has performed for the Maryland Music Educator Conference ( MMEA ) in 1986 and 1988. In 1987 the Symphonic Band performed Music Educators National Conference ( MENC ) Division. In 1996, the Symphonic Band had the former Maryland Lieutenant Governor, Kathleen Kennedy-Towsend narrate a piece during its concert. More recently, in 2002 the Symphonic Band went on a short tour through the southern US, to end up in Nashville, TN and play a clinic there. This spring the Symphonic Band will be traveling to Rhode Island to compete in a National Competition. The Symphonic Band is currently directed by Dr. Dana Rothlisberger.
The Symphonic Band recently (spring 2001) expanded to include a second band, the Concert Band. This band has been under the direction of the Assistant Director of Bands. The band was started in order to give a place for non-music major students a chance to perform in a stage ensemble as well as for other community players. The Concert Band has been lead by Mr. Jeffery Au, and since 2004, under the direction of Mr. John Miliauskas.
Marching Band
In 1979, Dr. Marchand, the Music Department, and the Towson State administration, brought Mr. Robert Doster to Towson State to create a marching band. Mr. Doster earned a reputation for his work with Marching Bands at various schools in Frederick County, Maryland and Fairfax County, Virginia. The band he created has performed at many exhibitions throughout the state along with the Baltimore Cavalcade of Bands. The Marching Band was also the host band for the Maryland Tournament of Bands in 1986, and from 1993-today (with the exception of 2002). From 1983 through 1999 Dr. Dana Rothlisberger, the Director of Bands, ran the marching band. Through his leadership, the band grew in size and stature within the university. Dr. Rothlisberger established the marching band as a permanent fixture in the Towson University Football experience.In 2000, Dr. Rothlisberger turned the marching band over to Brad Zimmerman who was selected to fill a new adjunct faculty position in the band department. The nature of the adjunct faculty position created some turn over in the position. In 2001, Mark Norman replaced Mr. Zimmerman as the marching band director. When Mr. Norman left in 2002, Towson appointed Jeffery Au as the marching band director. Jeffery Au served as the marching band director for the 2002 and 2003 seasons. During his tenure, he advanced the program by pushing the band to perform more then one show a year and become more entertaining during football games. The marching bands improvement and a pending move to the Atlantic 10 football division led to Towson University president, Robert Caret, approving new funding for the marching band.
Dr. Caret wanted the marching band to grow in size while continuing to entertain and excite the crowd during football games. Starting in 2004, every member of the Marching Band will receive a $500 scholarship. New Uniforms and instruments were also ordered. The improved funding allowed for the creation of a full time faculty position. After a thorough search, Mr. John Miliauskas was brought to Towson as the new Associate Director of Bands. Mr. Miliauskas has many new ideas for the band and is very excited to be a part of THE Towson University TIGER Marching Band!
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band has its origins with Mr. Hank Levy, who began the Jazz Program in 1968 and proceeded to then direct the bands until the early 90's when retired for health reasons. Mr. Levy was best known for his use of odd meters in his songs, which he wrote for Towson, the Stan Kenton Orchestra and Don Ellis Orchestra, among others. Glenn Cashman, currently a professor at Colgate University, then took over as director of the Jazz Band until 1999. From then until 2001 Ron Deihl, best known for his years in the US Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble was the director. The current director of the Jazz Band is Mr. Jim McFalls, a former member of US Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors. The Jazz Band has won may awards including the Villanova Jazz Festival Best Band Award in 1995 and in 2000. And just recently in September of 2001 Mr. Levy passed away leaving a great legacy at Towson University.Pep Band(s)
More recently another athletic support ensemble was created, the Tiger Pep Band. The Pep Band performs (and cheers) at many of the Men's and Women's Basketball games. The band also travels to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament. The Tiger Pep Band was originally under the leadership of Mr. Andrew Rising (an Alumni Brother of the Iota Delta Chapter), followed by the past Marching band director Mr. Jeffery Au, and is now lead by Current Director Mr. John Miliauskas. Since 2004, Mr. Miliauskas has been promoting Towson University's pep band, and continue the use of the pep band in Basketball games and Lacrosse games. This is a bold new endeavor for all of us here at Towson, but one that will surely be fun.