Grant Elkington created a marching band in the late 60's and into the 70's. Rated #4 in the nation. New halftime shows EVERY game.

Played AND marched at the same time - entirely different look that engaged the crowd. Better music. All volunteers, no scholarships. Music majors weren't required to play in the band. Anyone who wanted to join was welcome. Members of the band loved music AND sports and were dedicated to improving the game day experience. Emphasis was to get the crowd into the game and behind the team.

BYU sent some music to Florida A&M, one of the top bands at the time. They returned the music saying no marching band could play that music - but BYU did. Most music was arranged specifically for the band.

What happened? The band was so popular, the crowd stayed after every football and basketball game playing for 45 min. It performed at the inaugural parade for Nixon. All directors after Elkington followed the same formula. The music department got jealous. They fired the director and hired a low-brass specialist in the department who had no marching band experience and made him the band director. Band died.

There are still people who know how to create a top marching band, but it's not the music department's emphasis. It is disappointing to see how far the band has fallen. At one time it was so good the sportswriters included it in the write up about a football or basketball game. Once a CSU sportswriter lamented he wished CSU had a band that played more than "beer" songs and praised our band. So that idea that it has never been excellent isn't right. It was.

Plus - why can't the band play the fight song faster? The recording just before halftime is the right speed. How hard is it to speed it up? It's hard to follow - most people sing it faster than the band plays it.