CU’s First Marching Band

In October 1908, the University of Colorado hosted its first marching band performance. The band amped up fans during a pep rally at Old Main before the football team took on Colorado A&M, now Colorado State University. 

“The band wasn’t supposed to play any encores but wound up playing several, to the great happiness and excitement of the crowd,” said former band sousaphone player and current band historian Walter Blankenship (Hist’89; MA’02). 

After the buffalo became the CU mascot in 1934, the band became the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. Today, the band plays at every home and post-season football game. 

   Submit your feedback to the editor

Photo courtesy of CU Heritage Center