Ritter to Leave Marietta Tiger Band

The Marietta Daily Times, June 8, 1948

Director Goes to Parkersburg as Assistant.

G. Gordon Ritter, band and orchestra director at Marietta High School for the past six years, will leave Marietta to accept a position as assistant band director of the Parkersburg Big Red Band, effective July 1. Announcement of appointment, made Monday night by the Parkersburg Board of Education, was confirmed Tuesday morning by Ritter. It came as a surprise to the majority of Marietta school officials, including Supt. H. L. Sullivan, although rumors have been circulating for some time that the 31-year-old band director has had a number of bids to go to other schools.

Board Not Notified

Although the Marietta Board of Education held its regular meeting last night and a number of resignations were accepted, the pending resignation of Ritter was not reported. "The move was unknown to me," Supt. Sullivan said this morning. "We will be mighty sorry to lose him because he's done some fine work here."

Ritter said that he expects to assist or to serve as an understudy to George Dietz, director of the Parkersburg Big Red Band, for a year, taking it over at the end of that period of time while Dietz coordinates band and instruments in Parkersburg. "I'm leaving Marietta with many fond memories," he said, "and I truly appreciate the cooperation given me during the six years I've been here. I'm certainly hoping for the continued success of the Tiger Band."

Professional Advancement

The reason given by Ritter for leaving here to go to Parkersburg was for "professional advancement."  A graduate of Ohio University, Athens, with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1939, and from the same university in 1943 with his Master's degree, Ritter last summer attended the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he took post-graduate work in band conducting and band arranging.

Prior to his university training he studied five years at the Cincinnati conservatory of Music under Frank Simon and Ervin Bellestedt. He has also had two seasons with the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, and from 1942 through 1946 served as choirmaster of the First Congregational Church in Marietta.

Prior to coming to Marietta in 1942 to replace Donald Whetstone, Ritter taught three years at Mingo Junction. During his nine years in Ohio he has served as secretary of the East District of the OMEA for three years, and is a member of the State Board of the Ohio Music Education Association, serving as chairman of festivals and clinics in the state.

Band Made Good Record

Under Ritter's direction, the Tiger Band has grown from about 65 players to its present strength of 128 members, and has been one of a few having a harpist for a school of the size of MHS. Three summers ago 118 new band uniforms were purchased and according to a remark made today by Ritter, the band during the past six years "has secured near-perfect instrumentation through the cooperation of the Marietta Band Boosters."

The father of two children, Barbara Lee, 8, and G. Gordon Ritter, 5, the MHS band director is a member of Phi Mu Alpha, honorary music organization; Kappa Kappa Psi, honorary band organization; Kappa Delta Phi, educational organization and Sigma Phi, social fraternity.

Marietta High School Tiger Band, along with mascot "Tabby," 1947.