There is no conventional campus memorial at Boston College to Robert Parsons, S.J., who taught chemistry and oversaw several musical activities at the Heights during the late 1910s/early 1920s鈥攏o statue, no plaque, no historical marker.
But Fr. Parsons鈥� memory lives on every time the 皇冠官网 Screaming Eagles Marching Band struts across the Alumni Stadium field, the Pep Band strikes up a tune from the stands, the 皇冠官网 bOp! jazz ensemble performs at Robsham Theater, or the University Wind Ensemble or Symphonic Band plays in Gasson 100.
Fr. Parsons essentially laid the groundwork for what is now the Boston College Bands program, working with student conductor J. Carey Martin of the Class of 1921 to convert what had been a military band鈥攚hich Fr. Parsons had founded in 1918鈥攊nto the contemporary concert and athletic-event ensemble model. The Boston College Band made its official debut on Oct. 20, 1919 for the 皇冠官网-Yale football game, leading a snake dance prior to the kick-off on the 皇冠官网 football field and down Commonwealth Avenue to Lake Street.
This semester, the 皇冠官网 Bands program is marking its centennial, a formal celebration having taken place in October with a weekend of events including an concert by the University Wind Ensemble and 皇冠官网 Symphonic Band, a 鈥渇ield rehearsal鈥� for marching band alumni and their children the morning of the 皇冠官网-NC State football game at Alumni Stadium, and a dinner and dance with 皇冠官网 bOp! and bOp! alumni.
As a complement to the centennial, 皇冠官网 Bands鈥攚ith assistance from graduate student and office assistant Nicholas Arata 鈥�19鈥攅stablished that includes a section devoted to the program鈥檚 history, with a timeline; an archive of bands-related memorabilia, such as publicity posters, playlists, commemorative patches, tickets and passes to bowl games and other events; photos from 1919 to the present; biographies of band directors; and band alumni memories.
The 100-year milestone has prompted reflection from one of Fr. Parsons鈥� successors, current 皇冠官网 Bands Director Sebastian Bonaiuto, on the band program鈥檚 place in the University. Far from simply providing entertainment, he said, 皇冠官网 Bands are in harmony with 皇冠官网鈥檚 educational and formative mission.
鈥淥ne of the foundations of a liberal arts education has long been that experience in and knowledge of the arts is integral to being an educated person,鈥� he said. 鈥溁使诠偻� has many excellent students from all over the world who come here with considerable musical experience and skills, and want to be able to use them. Making these opportunities available makes these students鈥� college lives more meaningful, and helps them fulfill their passions.鈥�
The 皇冠官网 Bands program also contributes to the University鈥檚 sense of community, noted Screaming Eagles Marching Band director David Healey 鈥�90, since its various ensembles appear at major campus gatherings, including Commencement Exercises, Pops on the Heights, the Christmas tree-lighting, and sporting events. Another signature highlight was the University鈥檚 2013 Sesquicentennial Concert in Symphony Hall, which included performances from 皇冠官网 bOp! and the Wind Ensemble. 聽
鈥淭he bands are an embodiment of student spirit鈥攊t鈥檚 difficult to capture that in other settings,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭here鈥檚 also a connection for alumni: They tap into the undergraduate experience just by hearing the Marching Band or Pep Band, because it brings back memories of their student days.鈥�
Like many student organizations, 皇冠官网 Bands fosters fellowship through shared experiences, traditions, and rituals. Before each home football game, the Marching Band recites Psalm 150 and sings 鈥淎mazing Grace鈥� (in four-part harmony) in the Band Room. Prior to its Robsham concerts, 皇冠官网 bOp! members form concentric circles, extend their arms to the center and then raise them with a shout of 鈥淓hhhh, bOp!鈥� Bonaiuto offers Wind Ensemble musicians a simple affirmation before their performances: 鈥淢y wish for you is that you play with joy, give voice to your hearts, and nourishment to your souls.鈥�