Main Content

John W. Scott, Founding Director of the Miner Band

John W. Scott profile photo

On September 17, 1926, approximately twenty students of the Missouri School of Mines met to organize and form the “Miner Band” under the direction of local pharmacist and town band leader John W. Scott. From 1926-1950, under Mr. Scott’s direction, the Miner Band (later named the R.O.T.C. Band) grew in size and importance. Over the decades, the M.S.M./UMR/S&T Band Program is given countless concerts and performed at dozens of Miner Football games.

100 Years of Miner Band
1926 Miner Band

1926 Miner Band

2026 Miner Marching Band

2026 Miner Band

This year marks the 100th anniversary of our beloved band program and we’ve organized some special events to celebrate. We hope that alumni and friends of the band can join us for one or more of these events and celebrate this milestone with us!

See below for our “Band 100” events and for more information e-mail us at band100@mst.edu or follow us on Facebook.

University Wind Symphony “Band 100” Opening Concert 
Date: October 1, 2026  
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Leach Theatre

Come join us as we kick off the Band 100 celebration with a concert 100 years to the day of the Miner Band’s first public performance.

Miner Marching Band Homecoming Tailgate and Halftime Show 
Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 10:00am tailgate, 1:00pm kickoff 
Location: Allgood-Bailey Stadium 

The new S&T Band Alumni Association will host a special tailgate section outside Allgood-Bailey Stadium before the Homecoming game against McKendree University. During halftime, the Miner Marching Band will be presenting a special 100th Anniversary show featuring music that spans the decades.  

First (and BEST) Ever Missouri S&T Miner Alumni Band

Date: February 27, 2027 – Rehearsal
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
Location: Castleman Hall/Leach Theatre 

Date: February 28, 2027 – Performance
Time: 2:00pm 
Location: Castleman Hall/Leach Theatre

Come back to Rolla for the weekend and help us connect the past to the present by playing in the first Miner Alumni Band. Miner Band alumni will come together to rehearse and perform on a concert along with current members of the University Wind Symphony and S&T Symphonic Band. Rehearsals will take place throughout the day on the 27th with the performance the following afternoon on the Leach Theatre stage. 

To register to participate in the Miner Alumni Band, please fill out the Miner Alumni Band Sign-Up Form

Inaugural S&T Band Scholarship Gala Concert & “Band 100” Reception

Date: April 25, 2027
Time: 2:00pm Concert, 5:00pm reception 
Location: Leach Theatre and Hasslemann Alumni House 

Help support the next generation of Miner music by contributing to a new scholarship program especially for our band members. The concert, featuring the University Wind Symphony and S&T Symphonic Band will be the capstone to the “Band 100” celebration. A new commissioned work by composer Adrian B. Sims will be premiered by the Wind Symphony with the composer in attendance. After the concert, join current members along with alumni and friends of the S&T Bands for a special reception celebrating the S&T Band’s first 100 years and toasting to 100 more! 

To help us celebrate our first 100 years, we are asking for your help in establishing the S&T Band Scholarship Fund. With your support, we’ll endow a fund that will some day provide every S&T student playing in marching, jazz, and concert bands with an annual $1,000 scholarship. This financial assistance will champion our musicians and help recruit future band members.  

To contribute, please visit the Band’s Gift Page  

Thank you very much for your support!