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The 1916 “Pharmic” Orchestra was one of the many performing groups that have existed at Ferris during the last 100 years.
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2007 marks a century of school-organized musical performance under professional teachers at Ferris. In 1907 Woodbridge Ferris hired Louis Gerin as the institute’s first director of music. Gerin, who served until 1915, organized a band and an orchestra, and also gave lessons on violin, clarinet, cornet and other instruments.
According to Dacho Dachoff, former director of music activities at Ferris, there were music classes offered as early as 1895, but they related
to the training of elementary teachers. “There was a student-directed band and other informal music activity clubs prior to 1907 and it may be
such activities that encouraged Mr. Ferris to embark upon an organized music activities program,” said Dachoff. In fact, the first Ferris catalog of
1894-95 listed “Vocal Culture” as a course in the department of Elocution.
The earliest student band to meet regularly and play at “morning exercises” was formed in 1903. A student, Frank Marco,
organized and rehearsed the band. The ensemble consisted of three cornets, one wind ball, one baritone, two trombones (one slide, the other valve) and snare drums.
Dacho Dachoff conducts the marching band on Oct 20, 1963, during a performance at Tiger Stadium.
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At this time there was also an informal orchestra comprised of three violins, piano, cornet, trombone and drums.
Of all the people who have played a role in music at Ferris, none has had as large a role as Dachoff, who came to Ferris in 1955 as director of music with a priority of establishing a comprehensive music program which would accommodate both well-trained and not-so-well-trained musicians into band and choral groups.
During his tenure, Dachoff developed music programs which brought considerable recognition to the school, including a January 1973 appearance by the marching band in Richard Nixon’s inaugural parade in Washington, D.C. During his time the marching band also made five appearances on national television as part of NFL football games involving the Detroit Lions at Tiger Stadium and Chicago’s Soldier Field in addition to appearances at the Pontiac Silverdome.
The FSU Concert Choir, the University’s largest vocal ensemble, is open to both students and community members.
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In 1977 Ferris President Robert Ewigleben appointed Dachoff special assistant to the president for the arts in addition to his director of music activities duties. Dachoff retired in 1984.
Today, both on the stage and in the classroom, Ferris continues the school’s inclusive musical tradition and career-oriented academic mission.
Students come to Ferris not to major in music, but in Music Industry Management. The program prepares students for careers more behind the stage than on it everything from being a stage or facility manager, recording company representative, agent…or even business-savvy performer. The Music Industry Management Association, a registered student organization, produces major concerts on campus.
The Athletic Pep Band performs at Ferris’ annual Homecoming parade.
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The non-degree music program supports several performing groups open to students of all majors: Athletic Pep Band, Jazz Band, Symphony Band, Community Summer Band, West Central Concert Band, West Central Concert Singers and West Central Chamber Orchestra. The concert bands, choirs, orchestra and jazz band are usually open to community members. All of the performing groups except the Athletic Pep Band are also courses that earn students one credit per semester, and most credits count toward satisfying general education requirements.
For more information and archival photos, go to www.ferris.edu/music/history.
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