About the SUMB
The Band:
The Syracuse University Marching Band (SUMB) is comprised of approximately 200 members hailing from across the United States and the world. Current band members attend Syracuse University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Le Moyne College, and Onondaga Community College, and study in almost every major imaginable.
The "Pride of the Orange" performs its Quad Show on the steps of Hendricks Chapel prior to each home football game.
The SUMB was founded in 1904 and evolved into “100 Men and a Girl” in the 1960s. Today, the SUMB is better known as the “Pride of the Orange.” It is the largest ensemble on the SU campus and the premier collegiate marching program in New York State. The “Pride’s” main performance and rehearsal venue is the Carrier Dome, where it performs for tens of thousands of fans during home football games. The “Pride” also performs several parades and exhibitions in the Central New York area and beyond. In recent years, it has made appearances at high school marching band competitions, NFL halftime shows, and award ceremonies in New York City.
The Director:
Director of the SUMB, Prof Justin Mertz.
Professor Justin Jay Mertz is the Assistant Director of Bands at Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music and Director of the Syracuse University Marching Band. He is the Assistant Conductor of the Wind Ensemble and co-conductor of the Symphony Band. A native of Massapequa, New York, he has held teaching positions in the Alief Independent School District in Houston, Texas and the Westmoreland Central School District in Westmoreland, New York. Under his direction, The Pride of Westmoreland Marching Band finished its season near the top of its class, and in 2004 he was named Faculty of the Year at Westmoreland Middle School. He has also been a guest conductor and clinician throughout New York State, working with the Greater Utica Honors Youth Wind Ensemble, Oxford Summer Band Camp and NYSSMA area all-state festivals. He holds two degrees from Syracuse University.
The 2012 Staff:
Administrative Assistant: Fran Moore
Colorguard Instructor: Pam Gavenda
Percussion Instructor: Dr. Robert Bridge
Percussion Assistant: Jen Ortiz
Graduate Assistants: Samantha Baldwin, John Hylkema, Allison Thurnherr
Senior Assistants: Ross Hecht, Tom Mika, Andrew Wiley
Photographers: Gabriel DiMartino, Julie Fell
Field Assistants: Michele Buza, Andrew Eastham, Barry Maturevitz, Carolyn Sabloski,
Gerry Sabloski, Ruth Samuels, Lorraine Szul, Roman Szul
Voice of the Pride: Jack Jones
Frequently Asked Questions
