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The Spirit of Troy

The greatest marching band in the history of college footbal!

You are here: Home / Dr. Arthur C. Bartner

Dr. Arthur C. Bartner

Dr. Arthur C. Bartner - Director

Dr. Arthur C. Bartner retired as director of the Trojan Marching Band in December 2020 after a 51-year tenure at USC. He is currently Professor Emeritus in the USC Thornton School of Music.

Bartner introduced the band’s distinctive “drive-it” style of marching and revolutionized its sound by incorporating modern hits into its repertoire. Under his direction, the band became known as “The Spirit of Troy” for its support of USC Athletics, including traveling to every away football game since 1987.  In 2014 and 2017, USA Today named the TMB the best band in college football.

During Bartner’s tenure, the band has appeared in well over 150 movies and television shows, earning the nickname, “Hollywood’s Band.” The band performed on the Academy Awards, the Grammys, and the Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump. The TMB also garnered two platinum albums for its work with the rock group Fleetwood Mac.

Bartner has been honored repeatedly for his dedication to USC. In 2012 he was inducted into the USC Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2018 the band’s new facility at the General WIlliam Lyon University Center was named in his honor and the USC football team established the “Dr. Arthur C. Bartner Commitment Award,” which is given annually to the player who demonstrates the most dedication to the program.

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