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Alpha Gamma
AΓ
Tau Beta Sigma
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History of the Kent State Bands
1919 - KSU Marching Band established by Music Department Director, Ms. Ann Maud Shamel.
1920 - First KSU Football team to play with equipment. The "field band" played in the stands at one football game.
1928 - Marching Band re-organized by Ms. Shamel with the help of music students.
1929 - Roy D. Metcalf took over directing the Marching Band. Herbert Kelly was the first Drum Major. Band has less than 20 members.
1939 - The Marching Band was an all men's band due to a lack of "proper uniforms for women."
1940 - The Twin Bands were introduced at Kent State University. An all-women’s band performed separately and in conjunction with an all men's band. Both groups were under the direction of Roy D. Metcalf.
1957- Roy D. Metcalf died on July 4, 1957. Edward L. Masters came to KSU from Kansas to serve as the Marching Band Director. Band performs its first 15-minute half-time show, the number of majorettes was reduced and more emphasis was placed on rehearsing music.
1959 - Twin bands were disbanded and new "unisex" band uniforms were debuted. Marching Band recorded "Kent's Golden Year" album to celebrate the 50th anniversary of KSU.
1974 - The KSU Alumni Band was formed.
1979 - University President Golding cuts the Marching Band program.
1980 - John Boyd, Director of Bands, served as the Marching Band Director. Thanks to fundraising and petitioning by the KSU students and alumni, the Marching Band was put back on the field. New uniforms were purchased and scholarships were issued to some band members.
1981 - After several changes in directors, Mr. Michael Lee comes to Kent State to serve as the first Director of Athletic Bands. Drum and Bugle corps style of marching is introduced to KSU.
1992 - Due to several budget cuts within the School of Music, the band does not take the field. "Sitting band" plays at all home games.
1996 - Dr. Thomas Connors comes to KSU to serve as the Director of Athletic Bands. The band takes on a new identity as the Kent State University Marching Golden Flashes.
1999 - The MGF celebrates its 80th Anniversary with the largest band in KSU history.
2012 - Mr. Frank Cosenza accepts the position of Director of Athletic Bands following the retirement of Mr. Scott Curfman.
2013 - Dr. Jesse Leyva becomes the Director of Bands, Dr. John Franklin becomes the Director of Athletic Bands, and Robert Selvaggio becomes the Director of Jazz Studies.
2016 – The KSUMGF debuted new uniforms.
2019 - Dr. Kate Ferguson becomes interim Director of Athletic Bands and Dr. Wendy Matthews becomes Director of Bands.
2020 - Dr. Darin Olson becomes Director of Athletic Bands and Associate of Bands.
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