From October 14 ' 16, the University of Dayton Band Alumni will hold a celebration for its 100-year anniversary.

The centennial celebration, which includes performances by the alumni band at the football game against San Diego Oct. 15, commemorates the founding of the UD band program.

Started in 1905 by Marianist Brother Louis Vogt, the UD bands have a rich history of excellence. They are now a well-known and well-loved part of athletic events.

But they did not start out that way.

According to Elizabeth Dallman's 'The Life of Brother Louis Vogt,' Vogt himself acknowledged the difficulty his early band encountered.

'As one who has seen and heard at close range, I consider a beginners' band as about the most hideous noise-producing apparatus that has been so far devised,' Vogt once wrote. 'There are other worse noises, but they just happen. In the band they are made.'

Vogt managed to find one bright spot in his 'hideous noise-producing apparatus': Maurice Reichard. Reichard learned to play the French horn in order to join the marching band. Vogt, recognizing his talent, decided to teach Reichard every instrument.

'In the 1922 yearbook next to Reichard's name was the quote, 'What he doesn't play, ain't played,'' wrote John C. Sutton in 'The Life of Maurice Reichard.'

Reichard went on to follow Vogt as the band's director.

Under Reichard's guidance, the band flourished. Within a few years, membership soared to over 60 members and the band soon drew comparisons to much more established programs such as Michigan and West Point for its excellent drill work.

While the passage of 100 years is a special event for the bands, one alumnus is adding to the festivities.

As part of its centennial celebration, the UD Band Alumni will unveil a new fight song to the school.

Written by UD alumnus Fred Taylor, a 1964 graduate, the song will be integrated with familiar tunes from the band.

'It isn't replacing anything,' UD Band Alumni President Mark Strickler noted. 'It's another song to put into the mix with 'Anthem,' 'Loyalty' and 'Victory.''

The new tune, as yet untitled, will be heard at athletic events beginning this fall.

While Taylor has completed the music, he has announced any member of the UD community ' including students ' may submit a suggestion for the lyrics. He hopes for traditional words that are easy to memorize and sing.

'Many traditional school songs come from the band,' Taylor said. 'Someone has to write them.

'My experience is, if you keep the old songs and play the new song with them, people won't have a problem. If you play the new song exclusively, people will balk. I hope this is one that sticks around for the next 100 years.'

Current marching band director Eric Wiltshire, who will be integrating the new song into his band's repertoire, looks forward to expanding the band's vocabulary. However, he recognizes the difficulty of adding to tradition, especially since some of the band's current songs have been around for about 80 years.

'I thought our centennial celebration would be a good chance to make a contribution to a tradition that is an important part of UD,' Wiltshire said. 'As with all traditions, however, I realize we can't just say, 'There's a new tradition!' and expect people will accept it. Only time will tell if it can become a 'traditional' song.'

Anyone ever a part of any UD band organization'marching band, jazz band, wind ensemble, concert band, paper band, Flyerettes, marching co-eds, twirlers and majorettes'is invited to attend the celebration.

Activities begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 with a welcome reception at the Kennedy Union Torch Lounge. A tailgate party in the UD Arena parking lot before UD's football game against San Diego begins at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 15. The alumni band will perform during pre-game and halftime festivities. A cocktail reception, dinner and dance follow at 6 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Kennedy Union Ballroom. There is a charge for the Saturday evening event.

Weekend activities conclude with a 10 a.m. Mass in the Immaculate Conception Chapel.

A special hotel rate at the Dayton Marriott can be secured by calling (800) 450-8625 and asking for group code 'UDB.'

For information on the UD Band Alumni's 100th anniversary, visit http://www.ud-band-alumni.org or contact Mark Strickler at (937) 222-5960 or mastrick@riva.net.