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TBDBITL Alum Anthony Violi Celebrates 100th Birthday

2,521 views · Published 4 May 2018 · 2:30 · Indexed 23 October 2026

Channel: Ohio State News · 2018 · Education

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Anthony Violi has gotten a lot of life out of his 100 years, including serving in World War II.

But when he looks back, his favorite memories all revolve around one big thing: music.

Violi started playing the trumpet in 1926.

And so began a love affair that has spanned more than 90 years. He played in the Ohio State marching band, and then took over as the band director at Steubenville High School.

“I actually taught, I think over 1000 students,” he said. “They've never forgotten me. I get literature from a kid who was in my class in 1951. He calls me twice a week. He lives up in the Columbus area.”

Violi graduated from OSU in 1942 and entered the Army shortly after graduation, serving in the European Theater.

The alumni band consists of more than 700 members. Violi already has had the honor of directing the OSU Marching Band in 2003 before a crowd of 105,000 fans and is looking forward to turning 100 on May 4 when he has been told he will dot the ‘i.” Not just anyone can dot the “i’ in one of the greatest football traditions, Script Ohio, and he believes he will be the 15th person to do this who is not an active band member.

Violi is a former director of Steubenville High School’s band, which represented the state of Ohio for the inaugurations of President John F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson in Washington, D.C. Several of his former students also marched in the OSU band and currently join him in marching with the alumni band.


Courtesy : WTOV reporter Jaime Baker & News Director Don Sloan

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