SHOWING INITIATIVE
SJSU Bands Celebrate 100-Year Anniversary
By Rhoda Shapiro Photography by Joseph Khalifa, '19 Industrial Technology
In fall 2026, SJSU Bands will celebrate its 100-year anniversary.
Over the decades, the SJSU Band program has provided a musical home for countless students.
In 1926, the San Jose State College Band was formed with George Mathews as its first band director. By 1929, the Wind Ensemble was established to provide concerts for the student body. This eventually turned into the Symphonic Band, which gradually became part of the curriculum for music majors.
The Marching Band endured for nearly half a century, but in 1975, their funding ran out. Associated Students had originally provided support, but began designating money toward other expenses.
The Marching Band sat inactive for three years until longtime SJSU donors Alan Simpkins, ’48 Physics, and Phyllis Simpkins, ’46 Home Economics and Marketing, stepped in to provide funding.
Since restarting in 1978, the Marching Band has been going strong. Not only that, but several additional ensembles have formed over the years. The anniversary celebration includes not just the Spartan Marching Band, but the entire band program as a whole, which includes the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and the Pep Band.
“At SJSU, our Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band provide spaces for deep musical growth and disciplined artistry and the Spartan Marching Band and Pep Band connect us directly to the spirit and energy of the university community,” says David Vickerman, who is a professor of music and the director of bands. “All of these ensembles create a space for belonging. They not only provide an artistic and fun musical outlet for students, but a place where they feel more engaged and connected to the university as a whole.”
The Spartan Marching Band plays at all football games at the CEFCU Stadium.
“What inspires me most is not just the history, but the opportunity to keep raising the level of artistry while building a culture where students grow, take risks and discover what they’re capable of. Celebrating 100 years isn’t simply about looking back; it’s about moving forward with passion, commitment and purpose.”
— David Vickerman
During the school year, the Spartan Marching Band plays at all football games at the CEFCU Stadium. The band, made up of 150 members, features students playing brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, along with the SJSU Dance Team and Color Guard.
At every home game, the band performs a completely new halftime show, along with a pregame and postgame show. During the school year, the band performs at various community and campus events. They’ve performed for the San Francisco 49ers, the San Jose Earthquakes and the San Francisco Giants, and have even been featured in commercials for Apple and the San José Mineta International Airport.
For their participation in the band, students receive two academic credits per semester and rehearse up to eight hours a week. When football season is over in the fall semester, a smaller group of about 40 students stays on in the spring to perform during basketball games and other community events as the Pep Band.
Scott Pierson, ’73 Music, worked as the Marching Band’s band director from 1983-2018 — the longest that any band director has served at SJSU. He was also part of the band as a student and even served as the student band director in 1972.
His favorite memory during his time as director was witnessing students’ reactions to the videos they’d watch of themselves on Monday afternoon after a weekend game performance.
“Every time we’d do a show, we’d go to the band room the very next Monday and watch it on this monster screen. And you could just see their faces in awe, like, ‘Wow, I’m a part of that?’” says Pierson.
The Spartan Pep Band (left) is a selective ensemble consisting of woodwinds, brass, and a rhythm section. Through choreographed dance, the Spartan Color Guard (right) interprets the Spartan Marching Band's performances.
Grant Knox, assistant professor of music, started as the new director of athletic bands in August 2025. He feels that celebrating 100 years truly shows the resilience of the program.
“It’s not a given that a program of any kind can have the longevity to make it to 100 years,” says Knox. “This country has been around for 250 years, so 100 years is really an impressive feat. That multiple generations have all contributed to this legacy is a very special thing.”
Vickerman feels that having a strong band program has played a vital role in the campus community, bringing together students from all backgrounds and majors to unite around a shared artistic goal.
“For me, the 100th anniversary of SJSU Bands is both humbling and inspiring. We’re entrusted with a tradition shaped by generations of students, staff and faculty who believed deeply in the importance of the band community,” says Vickerman. “What inspires me most is not just the history, but the opportunity to keep raising the level of artistry while building a culture where students grow, take risks and discover what they’re capable of. Celebrating 100 years isn’t simply about looking back; it’s about moving forward with passion, commitment and purpose.”
SJSU Bands is planning a 100-year anniversary celebration throughout the 2026-27 school year, with more information to be released in the coming months.
