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.
