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USC Trojan Marching Band in Coachella and "Glee"

By Brett Padelford
Posted April 21, 2010

More than a few bands have played the Grammys twice, recorded a pair of platinum albums, and taken the main stage at Coachella. Only one, however, is a marching band. The University of Southern California (USC), The Spirit of Troy Trojan Marching Band (TMB), upped its rock star cred on Saturday, April 17, joining Coheed & Cambria for its twilight set at Coachella. Thirty members of the marching band backed the rock group for “Welcome Home,” the last song of the set, and continued to play as Coheed exited the stage. The surprise collaboration was a big hit with festival-goers and created a buzz on social media sites.

Rock stars on the weekends, The Spirit of Troy is also the hardest-working band in Hollywood. Tomorrow, the band continues its streak of appearances on TV’s most-popular shows – including American Idol and Dancing with the Stars – playing the McKinley High School band on the highly-anticipated “Power of Madonna” episode of Glee. Filmed in January, the TMB accompanies actors Amber Riley and Chris Colfer for a rendition of “4 Minutes.”

These two high-profile appearances build up to the band’s biggest event in 40 years, May 1st’s “The Man on the Ladder” concert at USC’s Galen Center. Celebrating Director Dr. Arthur C. Bartner’s four decades as director of the Trojan Marching Band, the gala event will feature another rock collaboration, pairing System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan with the TMB on “Toxicity.” A special celebrity video tribute to “Hollywood’s Band” will also highlight the night. Many more guest performers and speakers – including WAR, Arturo Sandoval, Monica Mancini, Janet Evans, Keith Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, and Rodney Peete – are scheduled to appear.

For up-to-date news on the May 1st event and behind-the-scenes photos from Coachella and Glee visit the band on Facebook (www.facebook.com/usctmb) or follow the TMB on Twitter: www.twitter.com/usctmb. Visit www.themanontheladder.com for more information on Bartner’s 40th Anniversary Gala.

Comments

1. george bott says:
   January 27th, 2012 at 22:26
   My son Tony Bott was a member of the TMB drum line and we saw TMB perform many times. We certainly miss seeing the band perform. Tony had his own band in Japan for about 15 years. The economy took a tumble and he started teaching at an American International school on a part time basis. Someone told him about a meeting of several schools looking for a music teacher. He had several offers. He did take an offer at an American International school in Guangzhou China. One stipulation for employment was that Tony had to get a teaching certification(Masters). He did that on-line. Now he is teaching all levels of Choir, teaching Music, developing an electronic course, teaching wind instruments, and handling all of the shool Media work. I can't believe that he was a percussion major.
   Dr. Bartner in my opinion is the greatest band director in all of college sports.
   Thank You Dr.Bartner and thank you to the TMB.
   George & Cherie Bott
   [address removed for privacy]
   Palatine,IL 60067

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