In 1923, a Ohio
University
student
by the
name of
Homer
Baird
decided that Ohio University needed
a marching band of its
own. So he organized
the first meeting about such a group at
Ewing
Hall where over 40 musicians were in attendance.
At this meeting, Baird was elected president and
he made
arrangements with a local instrumental teacher named
Raymond Connett to direct the band for free. Baird is quoted as
saying "Fortunately, we had at least 25 top notch musicians and the
others were coming along fine." Enough money was raised to furnish
the band with about 30 blue coats and white caps, while the members
had to buy their own white trousers.
During the football season, the town raised enough money to send the
band with the football team on "a special train to play our toughest
rival (Ohio Wesleyan) on their Homecoming Day." After the game, the
Ohio Wesleyan fans stated "that ours was the best band that had been
on their gridiron that year."
After the 1924 season, the records are unclear as to who directed
the band and when. Around 1927, Curt Jansen took over the direction
of the OUMB and arranged the Ohio University's Alma Mater. Jansen
also established "a girls band, which was dropped later after he had
gone." When Jansen left, Professor Dan Martino took over the OUMB
and after Martino came Professor Charles Gilbert. Gilbert
reestablished the girls band and "dancing majorettes were also a
product of Gilbert and his great assistant, Bill Brophy."
In 1950, the OUMB was a female-only band while many of the men were
off at war. Charles Minelli took over the direction of the Ohio
University Marching Band in 1952 and held the baton until 1966, when Gene
Thrailkill came from the University of Michigan, and began what was to be
the biggest change ever in the Ohio University Marching Band.
In 1923, a Ohio
After the 1924 season, the records are unclear as to who directed
the band and when. Around 1927, Curt Jansen took over the direction
of the OUMB and arranged the Ohio University's Alma Mater. Jansen
also established "a girls band, which was dropped later after he had
gone." When Jansen left, Professor Dan Martino took over the OUMB
and after Martino came Professor Charles Gilbert. Gilbert
reestablished the girls band and "dancing majorettes were also a
product of Gilbert and his great assistant, Bill Brophy." 
In 1950, the OUMB was a female-only band while many of the men were
off at war. Charles Minelli took over the direction of the Ohio
University Marching Band in 1952 and held the baton until 1966, when Gene
Thrailkill came from the University of Michigan, and began what was to be
the biggest change ever in the Ohio University Marching Band.