The History of the Isaac Litton Marching One Hundred Plus

The Isaac Litton Band originated in 1937 consisting of students in the existing orchestra and other talented pupils. The sixty-five member group composed of high school and grammar school students was under the direction of Miss Vergie Lee Taylor (Mrs. Wesley Seatt) for almost two years with Miss Margaret Johnson (Mrs. Neil Wright) completing the last three months.

"Organized this year under the direction of Miss Vergie Lee Taylor, the purpose is to train the younger students along with the high school members in order that the future band will be composed of students experienced in work of this type. The present band consists of pupils from Jere Baxter, Stratton and Inglewood."

In 1939 the band came under the direction of Mr. John B. Dodge. The Isaac Litton Band Parents Association was formed and new uniforms were purchased. In this year the band was composed completely of high school students and dropped to a total of forty-six. The band attended the annual festival, won high honors, and was voted unanimously the best-dressed band in the state. Mr. Donald Apple had the distinction of being the first drum major.

In November of 1940, Mr. Dodge chose Milton Gilliland as the drum major and fifteen new uniforms were purchased. The band started practicing for the Vandy Homecoming Day Parade, but the uniforms came in too late. There were forty players, five majorettes and a drum major, plus a number of substitutes marching this year. In December the band was honored by the Band Parents Association with a banquet and they received a new saxophone from the Board of Education and a new bass drum from the cast of the Madison Minstrel. Sixteen members of the band went to Central High School for the first practice of the All-County Band. In April, they attended the Middle Tennessee Band Festival, hoping to better the record of the previous year (an excellent rating in the third division).

In 1942 the band was placed in the hands of Mr. Wallace McMurray. During his tenure the band gave a combined concert with the Glee Club and two mellophones and a bass horn were bought. In April Mr. McMurray was drafted into the army and he was replaced by Mr. Charles H. Hill.

In October of 1943 Mr. Hill campaigned for new members and four new members were chosen as majorettes. In November a school orchestra was started with members of the band and other talented students. Mr. Hill directed both groups in 1943 and 1944 - (See article on News/Blast page).

In 1945 Mr. John Sneed Jones directed the band to an excellent rating in concert and a superior rating in marching at the festival. They also participated in Tennessee's Sesquicentennial celebration.

In 1946, Charles H. Hill returned as director. The band held its first annual concert which was a great success. That year it attended the annual festival at Columbia, marched in the parade there, and received the honor of being the best marching, best-looking, and best dressed band in the parade. The band received a superior rating in concert and an excellent in marching.

In 1947 the band went to Louisville with the football team. Subsequently Mr. Hill became ill and Mr. Joe McEwen substituted during his absence. Mr. Hill returned but immediately reentered the hospital which left the band without a director for about three weeks; however, on March 31, 1948, Mr. William F. Swor came to its rescue. Mr. Hill died that spring.

In the fall of 1948 the band came under the enthusiastic and capable leadership of Mr. Sammy V. Swor. At this time there were thirty-five in the band and sixteen of those were beginners. The Most Valuable Player award was started in 1948. By September, the band had been practicing two hours per week all summer perfecting new marches. In October 1949 the band went to Shelbyville for the Mid-State Marching Contest. Trying for a first division rating in precision and appearance, they competed against Pulaski and Columbia and earned the first place award with a point total of 49 out of 50. Four of our six majorettes also made A's. Due to their ratings, the band was able to participate in the Cotton Carnival at Memphis. In October the band marched in the Fire Prevention Parade and won $100 as first place recipients. In November they won the best-looking award in the Armistice Day parade. That May, Miss Vera DePriest was chosen as the Queen of the Isaac Litton Concert Band.

In the fall of 1950 they entered the Governor's Safety Parade, the Fire Prevention Parade, the Tennessee Marching Festival, and the Armistice Day parade and won first place in all four events in just eight weeks! The band members were measured for uniforms by Burk's Clothing in November. The addition of new members necessitated new uniforms. The band also won a first place loving cup at the East-M.B.A. half-time competition. In December the chorus and the band combined for a Christmas concert. In February the band played for the preview of the Paramount picture, Halls of Montezuma and in May they were chosen to play at the P.T.A. Convention.

In September of 1951 the Band Parents Association reorganized under the name Band Boosters, which allowed the people of the community to help support their efforts. In October they held their first spaghetti supper. In November the band performed in the rain at Vandy for their parade and half-time show. The Band Boosters sponsored a dance in February and in April the band presented their annual spring concert which featured Jesse Ray and Neel Beard as soloists. In May the buses headed to Memphis at 3 a.m. for the Cotton Carnival events. Ten chaperones and eighty students participated in a four mile parade, a concert, and the Grand Parade.

In 1952 the band began work under the direction of Mr. Bennie Beech. After an election, the new drum major was Neil Hagewood. Two ranks of majorettes were started and the new head majorettes were Suzanne Hancock and Jean Frye. In October the band competed in the Middle Tennessee Marching Festival and the first all-girl color guard was started with six charter members. In January of 1953 the band began playing at basketball games to encourage pep. This was the first time this had been done.

In October of 1953, Mr. Sammy V. Swor was back again with the band. Majorette tryouts were held in the afternoons after school and the new head majorette was Ernestine Freeman. Band court was held for the first time and Delores Ray and Tommy Sanborn were chosen as the first Band Queen and King. They rode around the field in convertibles and were crowned inside a crown formation made composed of band members. In December the county schools participated in the annual Christmas program. Mr. Swor directed the Litton band and Mr. E.O. Thompson directed the mass band.

In January of 1954 Janice Hamrick won the "Name the Band" contest and ten dollars for submitting the name "The Marching One Hundred". Band members paid fifteen dollars each for their trip to the Memphis Cotton Carnival and Jack Williams and Grace Hill were chosen as the Band King and Queen. In April the band gave a concert of popular, jazz, and swing music. Joe Ivie was selected as Drum Major for the 1954-55 school year

1960 found Gale Williams and Nancy Moore as the new Colorguard Captain and Head Majorette. Harold Gilliland was selected as Drum Major and Billy Ivie and Nancy Carter were chosen as the Band King and Queen. In April the band participated in a parade marking the opening of the 1961 baseball season. That afternoon they marched onto the baseball diamond to play "The Star Spangled Banner" for Vice-president Lyndon Johnson and the other enthusiastic fans. In May they participated in the Memphis Cotton Carnival and the Memorial Day Service in Nashville.

In 1961 the band received an A in the Marching Festival, marched in the Nashville Christmas Parade, gave two Christmas concerts, received a double A rating at the concert festival that year, and had five members chosen for the All-Star band. This was the first A in sight-reading received in the extra large class at concert competition. Band leaders were Sandra Keele, Head Majorette; Sandra Sullivan, Colorguard Captain; and Lamont Haislip, Drum Major. Lon Brooks and Janice Gotto were selected as this year's Band King and Queen.

The majorettes started the 1962 season with a flourish as they won the World Twirling Association Championship in August in Topeka, Kansas. Jane Foster, Patty Goff, and Ricky Rouch were selected as the Colorguard Captain, Head Majorette, and Drum Major, respectively, for the coming year. The Marching One Hundred participated in two marching festivals and received two A ratings. They played for the premiere of the "Music Man", the Cinerama production of "The Brothers Grimm", two basketball games downtown, marched in the Christmas parade, gave two Christmas concerts, and performed at the Inauguration of Mayor Beverly Briley.

Isaac Litton's Band performing at the last season's use of the Sulphur Dell baseball field.
Tennessean Photo

In March, the band received new $11,000 uniforms of red, white and blue. In May the band gave a free concert to thank all the people who helped raise money for the uniforms. In June the Marching One Hundred went to Miami, FL for the Lions International Convention. They played at the Fontainebleau and the Doral Hotels, marched in a Grand Parade and during the convention, played some selections at the ball park and were treated to a wiener roast, a movie, a swimming party, and were given the key to the city of Hallandale as Tennessee's representatives at the convention.

In July of 1963, the colorguards won the American Legion State Junior Color Guard competition in Memphis. Band leaders for the year were: Sammy Swor, Jr., Drum Major; Angela Harper, Colorguard Captain; and Susan Gilliland, Jean Haston and Ann Tolliver, Head Majorettes. In August the band played at a baseball game honoring George Archie and in September, during the F.C.A. game between the Cincinnati Royals and the St. Louis Hawks, the band was officially invited to participate in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year's Day.

Johnny Cline, '63, performing at the Sulphur Dell concession stand.
Tennessean Photo

In July, the colorguards again won the State Championship for Junior Guards in the Nashville American Legion competition and entered the National competition in Dallas in September. They placed sixth in the nation. The majorettes won the southeastern competition in August. Band leaders for 1964-65 were: Tony Bowers, Drum Major; Anita Tune, Head Majorette; and Brenda Brent, Colorguard Captain. Band King and Queen were David and Diane Shupe. The Marching One Hundred Plus participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, performed at a Metro School Board concert, two Christmas concerts, a marching and a concert competition-gleaning two superior ratings, incorporated three new flags bringing the total guard to fifteen, and performed on the Noon show, in the Exchange Bowl, and presented a spring concert.