Drum Majors - About the Bearcat Bands

Drum Majors of the Bearcat Bands

Drum Majors | Drum Major History | Drum Major Society | Responsibilities & Qualifications

The Cincinnati University ROTC Band was formed in 1920 by Ralph A. Van Wye, an army bandsman in World War I. The intent of this group was to play at ROTC functions. Soon after, the band began performing at the half-time of Cincinnati football games. In the early days of the UC Band, the directors acted as Drum Major for the band.

'20s-'40s | '40s-'60s | '60s-'80s | '80s-'00s | '00s-Present

1920 - 1923	Ralph A. Van Wye (as Director and Drum Major)
1923 - 1929	Sgt. Victor Norling (as Director and Drum Major)
1925 - 1926	G. H. Best The first Drum Major selected from the membership
1927 - 1929	Robert. T. Haas In 1929, the UC Band became a student activity for the entire campus, not just the ROTC. At this point, it became known as the University Band.
1930 - 1932	Raymond F. Schultz
1933 - 1934	Russell Smith
1935 - 1937	Ted Kersker
1938 - 1940	Martin Scheider
1941 - 1943	Allen Whaling
1944 - 1945	No Drum Majors during World War II With the country at war, football was at a standstill at UC. At this time, the UC Band continued to perform for military functions and on stage. When football returned, so did the Drum Majors.
1946 - 1948	Don Poynter
1949	John Buttelwerth
1950 - 1951	K. Buck
1952	Unknown
1953	Clarence Schmitt
1954	J. Tarr
1955	Jerry Crowe
1956	J. Tarr
1957 - 1959	D. Heckman
1960 - 1961	Bill Marshall
1962 - 1965	Paul Gigley
1966 - 1967	Sam Vaspquez and J. Dudley
1970	Unknown
1974	Unknown
1981 - 1983	Jeff Durham
1984 - 1985	Klier and Schramack
1987 - 1988	Doug Carson and Debbie Kopp
1989 - 1990	Kim Seaman, Dave Homan, Bob Workley
1990 - 1991	Kim Seaman, Bob Workley, Mike Zierolf
1991 - 1992	Mike Zierolf, Andy Freede, Louva Crislip
1992 - 1993	Mike Zierolf, Andy Freede, Bridget Leo
1993 - 1994	Mike Zierolf, Andrew Hutchison, Julie Benken	The UC Bearcat Bands are saddened to announce the passing of Julie Benken
1994 - 1995	Julie Benken, Jessica Knause (Short), Elizabeth Pugh
1995 - 1996	Julie Benken, Jessica Knause, Mike Rutherford
1996 - 1997	Jessica Knause and Mike Rutherford
1997 - 1999	Mike Rutherford, Melissa Silsby and Nicky Royce
1999 - 2000	Melissa Silsby, Nicky Royce, and Emily Ploetz
2000 - 2001	Emily Ploetz, Kevin McGinn and Chris Kannel
2001 - 2002	McGinn and Kannel
2002 - 2003	Chris Kannel, Danielle Kenworthy, and Nick Dellecave
2003 - 2004	Nick Dellecave and Grant Thornberry
2004 - 2005	Nick Dellecave, Grant Thornberry, Robb McKinney and Dave Wolfe
2005 - 2006	Nick DelleCave, Dave Wolfe, Robb McKinney, Rob Jaques, and Brandon Yocum