History

About Us

History

1917-18	Mr. Harold Hart Todd organized the first band at SMU.
	Dr. Gus Foscue and an assistant, Dr. Edwin J. Foscue succeeded Mr. Todd as directors. In 1924, SMU beat Texas for the first time in football history.

**1924-32 - Cy Barcus - Director**
1926-30	The Mustangs were SWC football champs. Jazz introduced to College Band Field Performance, and "Peruna"; became SMU's fight song.
1930-31	Halsey Settle directed the band.
1931-32	In November, Peruna I made his debut as SMU's Mascot.

**1933-35 - Bob Goodrich - Director**
1933-34	The Band went to San Francisco for the game with St. Mary's. In San Francisco the band played a coast-to-coast broadcast over NBC. The first Pigskin Revue was produced in 1933.
1934-35	The band played at the SMU vs. Fordham game in New York - broadcast over CBS. The Band played in vaudeville.

**1935-36 - Tom Johnson - Director**
1935-36	The Mustangs were undefeated SWC Champs. The Band traveled to Los Angeles for the Rose Bowl game against Stanford.

**1936-37 - P.C. Conn - Director**
1936-37	The band performed at the SMU vs. Fordham game in New York.

**1937-42 - Frank Malone - Director**
1937-38	The band performed at the UCLA game. The Band was chosen the most outstanding college music organization in America.
1938-39	The band appeared at the SMU vs. Pittsburgh game.
1939-40	The band performed at the SMU vs. Notre Dame game. Jack Rohr came to SMU as a student.
1940-41	Pigskin Revue reached a peak when the feature was a marching demonstration on stage. The Ponies tied for the SWC Championship.
1941-42	The long trip was to New York. Harry James sat in with the band during one of the pep rallies.
1942-45	Malone took 16 key men from the band to form an Air Force band. Girls were added to the band for the first time.
1945-46	The World War II veterans returned to the band. During the war, the band became a part of the School of Music. Malone was the director in the spring of 1946.

**1946-47 - A. Clyde Roller - Director**
1946-47	The band became renowned as a concert band, playing eighteen weekly concerts on WFAA. Jack Rohr began arranging for the band.

**1947-58 - Oakley H. Pittman - Director**
1947-49	SMU won the conference and appeared in the Cotton Bowl in both 1948 and 1949. Doak Walker won All-American honors for three straight years.
1949-58	The band became known as the Mustang Band, but remained a part of the School of Music.

**1958-83 - Dr. Irving Dreibrodt - Director**
1958-59	Mr. D revolutionized the band scene at SMU. The band became an independent organization. The pride, drive, and spirit of this group was so intense that the campus realized the "Hub of SMU Spirit" was the Mustang Band.
1959-60	The band fielded 72 men. New uniforms were added.
1960-61	The band went to Ohio State, where 6000 fans stood amazed as the "Pride of Dallas" played a forty-five minute jazz concert after the game.
1961-62	Dr. Dreibrodt fielded 96 men. A new name -- "The Best- Dressed Band in the Land," and album number one recorded.
1962-63	The famous title "96 Guys and a Doll" gained the band continued recognition throughout the nation. Jack Rohr was named Assistant Director.
1963-64	SMU upset nationally ranked Navy and went to the Sun Bowl despite having a losing record. Naturally, the band was there.
1964-65	The band flew to Ohio State and played the traditional 45-minute concert after the game. About 10,000 people stayed for the performance, which was carried live over the OSU broadcasting network. A new song, "Pony Battle Cry" was introduced.
1965-66	For the first time since 1958, SMU won Homecoming with a 31-14 upset over Texas. SMU Loyalty Song added.
1966-67	The Mustangs scored four last minute victories on their way to the SWC Championship and the Cotton Bowl.
1967-68	New uniforms were added to the wardrobe. The band went to Houston for a long weekend and the Rice game.
1968-69	The Mustang Band increased its wardrobe to 20 uniforms. The band flew to Ohio State. Bob Hope appeared at Pigskin Revue. A new record for "Peruna" - 570 times at TCU. CBS critics selected the Mustang Band as the best television half-time band in the nation following the Bluebonnet Bowl victory over Oklahoma.
1969-70	SMU opened the 100th year of NCAA football on national television. Album 3, Mustang Jazz at the Cotton Bowl, was recorded.
1970-71	The week of October 26-31, the Mustang Band not only prepared the Texas half-time show, but served as honor band to President Richard Nixon, and rehearsed all week with Bob Hope for the Bob Hope Show Wednesday and Thursday nights.
1971-72	Sammy the Owl (Rice's mascot) made a guest appearance at Pigskin Revue. Big Naomi was born for the Texas game.
1972-73	The Mustang Band welcomed the University's sixth president, Paul Hardin, to SMU.
1973-74	Starting with the remodeling of the Band Hall over the summer, a number of changes greeted the returning men. After eight years, Bill Lively returned to the band as Associate Director.
1974-75	The Mustang Band administratively went under the auspices of the Athletic Department. The Band recorded its fourth album.
1975-76	The Mustang Band started the year by playing for President Gerald R.Ford. He acknowledged the band and was presented with a beanie.
1976-77	"On to Alabama" transpired with the full band going on buses to Birmingham.
1977-78	Bob Brandenberger, a former band member, appointed Associate Director.
1978-79	Band busy in many ways. Mustang Mania Jazz recorded. Band chosen as the Governor's official inaugural band by Bill Clements and provided entertainment during the inaugural ball.
1979-80	Homecoming won for the first time in nine years with a 35-10 victory over Texas Tech. Band set a new record of 701 playing "Peruna" at the Tulane game.
1980-81	Our beloved Jack Rohr retired in January after nearly 40 years of dedicated service. The Ponies began the decade with a terrific 8-3 season, including a big win over Texas. Closed the year with a great trip to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl.
1981-82	University President Shields sent the Band to the Arkansas game and we earned our way with a great victory over the Hogs.
1982-83	The Band celebrated the 50th Pigskin Revue and Drei's 25th year with the best show ever, and cut a tape in April that was stupendous. Our beloved Jack Rohr, former arranger and Associate Director, passed away in November.

**1983-94 - Bob Brandenberger - Director**
1983-84	Coach retired in September after 25 years as Director. Tommy Tucker and Louis Dorfman, Jr. came on board as Staff Arranger/Assistant Director and Administrative Assistant, respectively. The Ponies went 10-1 and the Band went to every game, including a "gully-washer" TV game in Little Rock, a fantastic trip to the Mirage Bowl in Tokyo to play U of H, and an appearance at the Sun (Arctic) Bowl in El Paso. Pigskin Revue, Around the World with the Mustang Band, was a smash hit.
1984-85	The band did a new entrance and a new fanfare and sounded terrific. The Mustangs were co-SWC champs with a 9-2 record and earned a trip to the Aloha Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Band had a great week on Oahu and helped to Ponies to a 27-20 win over Notre Dame. Rock 'n Roll Revue was a great success and the sixth album was recorded.
1985-86	The year ended anticipating the band's seventh album, On the Road, to be completed during the summer.
1986-87	The fall began with the largest freshmen class in years, 32. The band celebrated the University's 75th year with A Diamond Jubilee Salute Pigskin Revue.
1987-88	Though the Ponies were on the nation's toughest probation, the Hub Of SMU Spirit was more involved than ever before. With tour dates to Houston and a packed house in San Antonio, the Band continued to entertain Mustang fans.
1989-90	Football returned to Ownby Stadium for the first time since 1948.
	The band fielded 92 performers, a feat not equaled since 1985, and christened Ownby with a new Tommy Tucker arrangement of "Varsity" and outstanding performances.
	Broadway Revue was a real toe-tapper, and the band went digital with its eighth recording, Red Hot 'n Blues, to be released in July.
	Cy Barcus, former Director and originator of Mustang Jazz and "Peruna", and former University president Willis Tate passed away. The Mustang Band was there.
1990-91	The 58th Pigskin Revue, Rock 'M' Roll, showcased the band splendidly and featured the return of alumnus Butch Arnold on keyboards. The Diamond M Endowment total passed the 100k mark.
1991-92	The band had a great fall, including football trips to the Astrodome, College Station, and Fort Worth. The 59th Revue, A Star-Spangled Salute, was splendid.
1992-93	The Band "wowed 'em" at Texas Stadium for a Cowboys-Phoenix game. Pigskin Revue, Sixty Years of Style, celebrated the show's 60th anniversary. The Band cheered Men's Basketball to both a SWC Championship and an NCAA berth, and the Lady Mustangs to an appearance in the NWIT.
1993-94	New music and uniform shirts made basketball season enjoyable, and the Lady Mustangs earned a berth in the NCAA Post-season tournament.

**1994-95 - Claude White - Director**
1994-95	Claude White took over the directorship of the band on an interim basis. Brian Waddle served as Assistant Director. The band had a memorable trip to Pasadena at the Rose Bowl which was generously provided by the Diamond M Club.

**1995-2005 David T. Kehler - Director**
1995-96	New Director David T. Kehler and Assistant Director Bret Spainhour arrived at SMU. Alumni Band was the largest to date with over 80 members returning for homecoming. Mustang Football was now having all of its home football games at the Cotton Bowl. The Lady Mustangs earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament in Iowa City, Iowa and the Mustang Band was there supporting the team and performing for the crowd.
1996-97	Tommy Tucker rejoined the staff as Assistant Director and Arranger. The Mustangs began their first season in the Western Athletic Conference. Homecoming featured a western theme and Pigskin Revue was a combined performance of the Mustang Band and Jerry Jeff Walker. The Band accompanied both Men's and Women's basketball teams to Las Vegas for the WAC tournament and was voted the best band there. A new album, High Road on the Hilltop, was recorded in April with the legends of Texas Swing, The Light Crust Doughboys.
1997-98	Mustang Band had the largest ensemble at SMU since 1989 with 77 marching members. The Band's new CD, "The Highroad on the Hilltop" was released and qualified into the second round of the 1998 Grammy Awards. The band also appeared with the Light Crust Doughboys performing music from their CD at the Cotton Bowl in the fall and a live performance in the spring for "Good Morning Texas." The band enjoyed supporting the Mustangs at the WAC Basketball Tournament in Las Vegas and supported the Lady Mustangs in Tucson at the 1998 Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament.
1998-99	The Mustang Band appeared at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Gerald J. Ford Stadium. SMU's legendary Doak Walker passed away and the band paid tribute to him by performing at his memorial service in Dallas. The band supported the men's and women's basketball teams in Las Vegas for the WAC tournament and cheered on the Lady Mustang's as they achieved their first-ever WAC Tournament Championship. The Mustang Band then traveled to Athens, Georgia supporting the Lady Mustangs at the NCAA Women's Basketball Tounament.
1999-2000	The Mustang Band appeared at the Super Dome in New Orleans against Tulane University. The group also enjoyed an evening staying at the Montelone Hotel in the heart of the French Quarter. The band supported both the men's and women's basketball teams at the WAC tournament in Fresno, California. The band then traveled to Norfolk, Virginia and supported the women's basketball team in both the first and second rounds of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. The year ended with the anticipation of new uniforms for the following fall.
2000-2001	SMU opened the New Gerald J. Ford Stadium on campus and the Mustang Band, with its new uniforms, helped cheer on the Ponies for their first win of the season versus Kansas. The Mustang Band had the largest freshman class in over a decade with 30 new members. In January, the Band was also invited to perform in Washington, D.C. for the newly elected President of the United States, George W. Bush. This was the Band's first Presidential Inaugural appearance. The Mustang band performed its classic Mustang Jazz throughout the streets of Washington D.C., and for the distinguished guests in the Presidential reviewing box, including First Lady and SMU Alumna, Laura Bush.
2001-2002	In the fall and spring semesters, the Mustang Band recorded a live CD entitled, "Peruna 2001, A Mustang Band Odyssey" to be released in August 2002. The Basketball Band also traveled to Tulsa to support the Mustangs in the WAC Basketball Tournament. In April, the Band joyously welcomed new football coach Phil Bennett to SMU with a special gathering with the Diamond M Club.
2002-2003	For the first time ever, the Mustang Band traveled to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the game against Oklahoma State. The Band was very well received, and engaged in a trade-off with the OSU Band for the post-game concert. The other road trip was to Houston, Where we arrived right at kickoff (thanks to a large dip in Huntsville!) The Mustang Band was a hit once again at the WAC Basketball Tournament in Tulsa, and even did a “paying” gig outside the arena before the semi-final games.
2003-2004	The year started with road trips to two old Southwest Conference sites, against Texas Tech in Lubbock and Baylor in Waco. With a winless football team, the focus shifted to the Band, and we responded with some terrific shows. Basketball season was also disappointing on the court, but the Band continued to supply atmosphere and entertainment at Moody Coliseum. We also made the trip to Fresno, California, for the annual WAC Basketball Tournament.
2004-2005	The year concluded with a trip to Reno, Nevada for SMU's final WAC Tournament. David T. Kehler resigned to pursue his Doctorate degree on a full-time basis.

**2005- present Don Hopkins - Director**
2005-2006	Don Hopkins became the new director. The mustangs moved into Conference USA and the football team responded with five victories, including the only loss of the year for TCU. The Band traveled to its first C-USA basketball tournament in Memphis.
2006-2007	The band enjoyed a weekend in New Orleans for the Tulane game along with trips to Lubbock, Denton, and a "last-minute" trip to Houston for the Rice game. Basketball tournaments featured a trip to Tulsa and a return visit to Memphis.
2007-2008	The band fielded 83 members, marking its' largest membership in more than twenty years. The band accompanied the women's basketball team to the C-USA tournament in Orlando, Florida (and helped them win it!) and to the NCAA tournament in West Lafayette, Indiana.
2008-2009	SMU made headlines by hiring June Jones to coach the football team. The band opened the season with an overnight trip to Houston for June Jones' first game (on ESPN) against Rice. The season also featured two days in New Orleans, where Thursday night was spent at the game vs. Tulane and Friday was spent doing clinics/performances at New Orleans high schools. Upon returning to Dallas, the band performed at the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins game during the final season in Texas Stadium. Basketball season saw the women win the regular season conference title!
2009-2010	The Ponies shocked the nation with a record of 7-5 and an invitation to the Hawai'i Bowl, where they polished off Nevada 45-10! Of course, the band was there - even if it was Christmas Eve! While in Honolulu, the band performed in various places: Hickam Air Force Base, Waikiki Beach, the Diamond Head Basketball Classic (the SMU men's team was playing), and of course, Aloha Stadium. Basketball season saw the men upset Memphis and Houston, but neither team went past the first round at the CUSA Tournament in Tulsa. With 86 members, it was the largest band since 1989, but the band graduated its largest Senior class in decades (25) in May.

Last updated May 15, 2013