Colorado State Students
Marching Band Receives National Recognition
March 2009
The Colorado State University Marching Band was honored among five leading university marching bands for contributions of excellence and creativity to the marching profession at the national conference for the College Band Directors National Association in Austin, Texas, at the end of March.
Steven Moore, director of bands, presented a video of the band’s 2008 performance, “Vegas Show,” at a recognition session for the CBDNA National Conference at the University of Texas at Austin. The video was featured as one of five videos from select institutions, which include the University of Arizona, University of California - Los Angeles, Texas Christian University, and Western Carolina University.
“This recognition will bring Colorado State University to the attention of band directors from around nation, who may not be aware of CSU or of the quality of our band and music program,” says Moore.
The award is the first national recognition that the marching band has received in the history of the program.
Emerging as a national leader
Hundreds of university marching band programs from all college football conferences were eligible for the recognition. A video submitted to the CBDNA, which featured the band’s performance at the CSU Marching Band Showcase at Hughes Stadium in Sept. 2008, was chosen over submissions from conferences known for marching bands, such as the SEC, Big 10, and ACC.
“CSU has finally developed as a leading marching band in college football,” said senior Mike Wenzel, a drum major for the band.
Dedication and commitment to excellence
The CSU Marching Band performed its final production of the “Vegas Show” before a national audience in December 2008 at the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque, where Colorado State defeated Fresno State for the title. The “Vegas Show” included selections from Cirque de Soleil as well as the songs “Luck Be A Lady” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”
“The fundamentals of music and motion required to create a quality marching band demand intense dedication and commitment to excellence throughout the entire marching season,” says Moore.
Joining the CSU Marching Band
The Colorado State University Marching Band will hold an open sign-up period for new members beginning March 23 and continuing through July 24, 2009. Membership is open to all CSU students. In addition to musicians, the group also offers opportunities for visual ensemble members (color guard). To sign-up as a new member, visit www.bands.colostate.edu/Marching and select the "join" menu for information.
The CSU marching band features musicians from nearly every major on campus who perform annually for approximately 200,000 Ram football fans each year. The band travels with the CSU football team on selected road trips, including post-season bowl games. The group has performed in such cities as Memphis, New Orleans, San Francisco, San Diego, and Albuquerque. Visual Ensemble auditions are scheduled for Saturday, April 25. No audition is necessary for musicians.
About the School of the Arts
The School of the Arts at Colorado State University provides an enriched venue in which the study and practice of Art, Dance, Music and Theatre are nurtured and sustained by building the skills and knowledge needed by future generations of arts professionals to become contributors to the essential vitality of our culture and society. For more information, visit www.CSUSchooloftheArts.com.
This story was originally published in Today @ Colorado State.
