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This history is derived from university publications, oral recollections of former Virginia Tech graduates, and former Highty-Tighties. Parts of this information can be accepted as fact, while some of the information presented here is based on HT legend. Bert Kinzey, HT '68, is currently researching the full, true history of the Highty-Tighties, and as a result you may notice some of the 'history' changing or disappearing as a result. Regardless of whether or not the information is completely factual, modern day Highty-Tighties accept it as part of their tradition and heritage. Links will take you to pictures, sound clips, or even other pages.

1881 The ten piece Glade Cornet Band was organized and founded by Professor Albert Lugar. It was directed by Thomas Schaeffer, the father of Jim Schaeffer.

1892 The first Cadet band was formed. They played at the first VAMC football games. The first band director was James Harvey.

1893 The first official Band Company was formed as a distinct and seperate part of the Cadet Battalion. It has remained a seperate company ever since.

1894 The Corps traveled to Richmond for the first time for the unveiling of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

1896 The Band played at the Jefferson Davis Monument dedication in Richmond. They were the only band so honored

1898 The VAMC band volunteered for duty in the Spanish-American War. The director, James P. Harvey, and 20-member of the band joined some Blacksburg townspeople and former bandsmen to form the Regimental band for the US Army's 2nd Virginia Regiment. The band was to be stationed in Cuba, however the war was over before they were scheduled to leave from Florida. They were called on to play many times during their stay. Frank Carper becomes director during his senior year.

1900 James Harvey returns as band director.

1901 The VAMC band played "The Thunderer" for John Philip Sousa at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Sousa was so impressed that he dedicated his latest march, "HandsAcross the Sea", to the band.

1902 The VAMC band played "Dixie" 72 consecutive times at the Charleston Exposition, setting the world record. The band also played for Teddy Roosevelt, who was quoted to have said he "had never seen such a band."

1904 John Philip Sousa met each member of the band personally at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in New Orleans.

1905 H.D. McTier becomes band director.

1910 Marsden Smith takes over as band director.

1915 Henry Hill becomes band director.

1916 Paul Tantutolo becomes band director.

1917 The VAMC band played in their first Presidential Inaugural Parade for President Wilson.

1919 Jim Schaeffer begins his first tenure as band director, lasting until 1921, when W.M. Skagges took over.

1921 The VAMC band was marching at the Richmond parade, honoring Field Marshall Foch of France. The drum major attempted a mace toss as he passed the reviewing stand. The wind blew the mace and it fell to ground, bouncing once. The drum major caught the mace off the bounce and still rendered a proper salute to the reviewing officer. Field Marshall Foch supposedly said 'hoity-toity' (show-off in French) in response to the drum major's display. For many years this was believed to be the origin of the band's name. However, history states that the name came from a cheer that was invented when the band was housed in Division E, the fifth stairwell of Lane Hall. While waiting for meals, each unit would give up a cheer. The bandsmen were tired of not having a name, and made up a cheer that went: "Highty Tighty, Christ Almighty, who the hell are we? Riff ramm, goddamn, we're from Division E." It has since evolved over the years.

1923 The HT's formed a 16-member drum and bugle corps.

1927 G.A. Johnson took over as band director.

1931 The Highty-Tighty jazz band adopted the name "The Southern Colonels."

1934 The Highty-Tighties were the Presidential honor band for Franklin Roosevelt in Roanoke.

1936 The HT's were presented with the white citation cord for meritorious service in the Spanish-American War. According the HT legend, the cord was pinned on the band commander backward by Eleanor Roosevelt. It has been worn with the braid on the outside ever since.

1937 Jim Schaeffer returns as band director, remaining until his death in 1952.

1937 & 1940 The Southern Colonels traveled to Germany and France on the USS New York to perform in nightclubs.

1952 Director Jim Schaeffer, considered by many to be the one to elevate the band to the level it has been since, passed away. Tom Dobyns was named as his successor.

1953 The Highty-Tighties win grand prize in President Eisenhower's first Inaugural Parade.

1957 The Highty-Tighties win their second Presidential Inaugural in a row.

1958 The band places first in the Apple Blossom Parade featured on the "Today Show" in New York.

1959 The band again won the Apple Blossom Parade.

1960 The band performed at the halftime show for the Washington Redskins-Dallas Cowboys football game.

1961 The Highty-Tighties win their third consecutive Presidential Inaugural. In doing so, they become the only band to win the parade three times consecutively. No other band had won more than once at a time.

1963 The band won the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, DC.

1964 The HT's marched as the opening band for the New York World's Fair.

1965 The Highty-Tighties marched as retired champions of the Inaugural parade. This was the first parade ruled non-competitive, a decision made only days before the parade, most likely because of the HT dominance of the parade in past years.

1968 The Highty-Tighties were featured at the Liberty Bowl football game in Memphis, Tennessee. The game was televised as the "game of the week."

1969 The HT's marched in President Nixon's inaugural parade as "undefeated champions", and were presented with the white ribbon with 3 silver stars. This ribbon symbolized the 3 consecutive years the Highty-Tighties won the parade. Earlier bands were awarded the white ribbon with a single star for an Inaugural Parade first place appearance.

1963 The band won the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, taking the Judge's Trophy for outstanding unit in the parade.

1971 The band performed at the halftime show for the Baltimore Colts-Buffalo Bills football game. Later that year, they also won the Azalea Festival Parade in Norfolk, Virginia.

1971 Tom Dobyns retired as band director after almost twenty years of continuous leadership. He was honored at a banquet commemorating his great service to the band. Joseph Lamoureux was named as director.

1972 The HT's again won the International Azalea Festival.

1973 The HT's represented the Commonwealth of Virginia in President Nixon's second inaugural parade.

1974 The band marched as the honor band in the Virginia Governor's Inaugural Parade. They also won the International Azalea Festival, again.

1975 The first females were integrated into the band as full-fledged Highty-Tighties.

1976 A Fife and Drum Corps was organized to perform at Bicentennial events, including one at which they played for Governor Godwin. The Highty-Tighties won first place at the Warsaw Bicentennial Parade, representing the Army ROTC unit in this district.

1977 The HT's marched in Jimmy Carter's Inaugural parade. In addition, they won first place at the Apple Blossom Parade. After James Sochinski took over as director, the band performed in the halftime show of the Washington Redskins-Philadelphia Eagles football game, and later marched as one of eight honor bands at Macy's Thankgiving Day Parade in New York City.

1979 Johnny Pherigo becomes band director.

1981 The HT's marched in Ronald Reagan's first Inaugural Parade, as a marching unit without instruments. Later that year, they marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and performed for the closing ceremonies of the Knoxville, Tennessee World's Fair. Wallace Easter took over as band director.

1983 The Highty-Tighties played "Ruffles and Flourishes" and "Hailto the Chief" for President Reagan at the Conservative PAC.

1987,91,99 HT's marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.

1988 The HTs marched in the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, DC.

1988,90,92,93,99 The HT's marched in the Macy's Christmas Parade in Atlanta, Georgia. This parade is now known as the Eggleston Children's Foundation Christmas Parade.

1992 George McNeill takes over as band director.

1997 The Highty-Tighties marched in President Clinton's second inaugural. Later that year, they marched as honor band in the Ft. Myers, Florida Festival of Lights Parade.

1999,2001,04 The HTs marched in the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, DC.

2001,02,03,05 The HTs marched in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Savannah, Georgia.

2002,04 The HTs marched in the Endymion parade at Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

2005 The HTs marched in President George W. Bush's second inaugural parade. That spring, they were awarded the Beverly S. Parrish Gold Cord award for the first time.