Arthur C. Bartner

Arthur Charles Bartner (born August 30, 1940) is an American musician best known as the director of Spirit of Troy, the marching band for the University of Southern California, a position he held from 1970 to 2020. During this time he has become closely identified with USC Trojans football and has been credited with establishing the Spirit of Troy as "one of the most-famous bands in America." In addition to his longtime work directing the USC marching band, Bartner also served as director of bands at Davison High School in Davison, Michigan, and as director of the band of the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Early life and education Bartner was born and raised in Maplewood, New Jersey. He claims his interest in music began when his older brother started taking trumpet lessons, a path Bartner followed, and crystallized when he saw the United States Marine Band, which had come to perform at his junior high school. At Columbia High School, Bartner earned all-state honors in both trumpet and basketball, and went on to attend the University of Michigan, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu. Bartner has credited longtime Michigan band director William D. Revelli as the most important musical influence in his life.

Bartner announced on November 22, 2019, that he would step down as full-time director at the end of the season, with the intention of remaining with the band in 2020 to help the band transition to a new director. He officially retired after the 2020 season, with Jacob Vogel named as his successor.

Personal life Bartner married Barbara Masin, who he met in junior high school, in June 1962; they have two children.