The purpose of the Sudler Trophy is to identify and recognize collegiate marching bands of particular excellence that have made outstanding contributions to the American way of life. The Sudler Trophy will be awarded annually to a college or university marching band which has demonstrated the highest of musical standards and innovative marching routines and ideas, and which has made important contributions to the advancement of the performance standards of college marching bands over a number of years.
The Sudler Trophy is made possible by a grant from Louis and Virginia Sudler of Chicago, Illinois. The annual presentation is administered and implemented by the John Philip Sousa Foundation.
The Sudler Trophy is one in a series of awards developed by Mr. and Mrs. Sudler and the Sousa Foundation to recognize and to encourage excellence in the various aspects of band work. The marching band is a force which reaches countless students and audiences throughout the nation, and the purpose of the Sudler Trophy is to recognize the outstanding work and contribution of college and university marching band directors.
This trophy has been designed by the distinguished artist Ed Blackwell. It has been executed by Dieges and Clust, who also produce the Heisman Trophy. Consisting of a bronze drum major astride a football stadium and mounted on a marble base, the trophy stands 22.5 inches high.
Each fall, a nomination form is sent to every NCAA marching band director requesting said director to nominate two bands that he or she believe meet the criteria and philosophy of the Sudler Trophy Award. These nominations are tabulated and the top two bands as determined by the number of nominations are placed into consideration for the award. In addition, the members of the Sudler Trophy Committee are asked to nominate their top two choices for the award. The top two bands from this process are also placed into consideration for the award.
Directors of the four bands selected by the above process are then asked to submit supporting materials for their nomination, including a performance videotape, historical videotapes or archival materials, significant printed materials or photographs, and audio materials.
The Sudler Trophy Committee convenes in December to review all materials and arrive at a final choice for the award. Any given university or college marching band may receive the Sudler Trophy only once.
The formal presentation of the Sudler Trophy to the Penn State Blue Band will take place at the Homecoming football game on October 29, 2005. The Penn State Blue Band will be presented with a traveling trophy, which will be displayed in the Blue Band Building for the following year. The school will receive for permanent possession a large plaque, on which will be engraved the names of all current and former Blue Band directors. The current and all former directors will receive personal plaques, and will participate in the presentation ceremonies. Each member of the band will receive a personalized certificate.
Louis and Virginia Sudler are long-time supporters of the Sousa Foundation through their tireless efforts and their generous contributions. The many projects that bear their names have been endowed in perpetuity by the Sudlers.
Louis Sudler was the rare combination of successful businessman, a performing artist, and a patron of the arts. He was the founder of the Chicago real estate firm, Sudler and Company. He appeared nationally as a soloist in concert, oratorios, with symphony orchestras and concert bands, at functions honoring five US presidents, and as a recording artist; a baritone, he was a member of the Chicago Civic Opera.
Primarily known for his work with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, where he was chairman emeritus of The Orchestral Association, he had also demonstrated an active interest in both bands and band music. Mr. Sudler passed away in 1992.