Behind the Scenes: The President's Fall Address

By C. May

FORT COLLINS, Colo.— The President’s Fall Address was set to start at 11:15a.m. The band was there by 10. When they arrived, there had already been people working at the Oval for several hours. Chairs, tents, and ropes were set up; flowers were artfully arranged around the podium; and speakers and microphones were wired up.

Staff at the Oval did sound checks to make sure that the audience could hear what was going on. Tables and chairs were rearranged so guests didn’t have to sit in the full sun.

The band unloaded their instruments, put away the cases, and waited. They lined up in concert arcs in several different locations to figure out where they would best be seen and heard. They played their warm-ups and did sound checks. After warming up sufficiently, they played through some of the pieces they were going to perform, practiced playing the national anthem and the Alma Mater with the singer, and waited for the event to begin.

The band played some pep tunes to start off the event. The director glanced at the stage from time to time to see if the speakers and honored guests were there.

As is often the case, the speakers were late and the band has to play some extra songs to keep the audience entertained. They played several pieces they hadn’t practiced for the event, but nobody in the audience seemed to notice.

Finally all the guests were there and the speakers were seated on the stage. The band’s introduction finished with CSU’s Alma Mater and the national anthem. Then they stood and waited patiently while the audience’s attention shifted to President Tony Frank and the other speakers.

When Frank was introduced, the band waved their white hats in the air and cheered loudly. “We love you, Tony!” someone shouted.

The band has a special relationship with the president. He often says that he admires them and jokes with them during events. He always stops by to say hi to the group and tell them what a good job they’re doing. In return, band members cheer loudly for him and affectionately call him “The Beard.”

The audience didn’t notice, but the band members were fidgety and restless as the speeches grew longer. “My shoulders are killing me,” band member Chris Herron whispered. “This is taking forever!”

The band had been working on the program pieces for several weeks. At least four hours of practice had gone into the Fall Address specifically. Only a few hours after their performance at the Oval was over, the band would be back together for one of their weekly rehearsals. On the practice field behind the music building that evening, they rehearsed for two more hours.

Long rehearsals and sore shoulders never seem to be a problem for the band. They love what they do and always have fun at performances. The audiences at events are the best reward. Band member Kim Erickson sums it up nicely: “I don’t think the band could survive if CSU didn’t love us so much.”