Homecoming at the University of Houston is a time when Cougar greats often revisit their former campus. This year’s event is no different, but one particular legend will return to action on the gridiron – but not with a football.

Bill Moffit, the famed band director who shaped the UH marching band from 1969 – 1980 will once again take the field to lead the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band during the homecoming game’s halftime show on Saturday, Nov. 6 in Robertson Stadium.

“This will bring back fond memories,” Moffit said. “I’m looking forward to seeing former students and old friends to see how they’ve grown and changed. It’s going to be a great homecoming party.”

Moffit’s return to campus is part of the Big Band Alumni’s homecoming activities, which reunites former members of UH’s marching band.

At age 80, the celebrated band director hasn’t slowed down. He composed a new number that will be performed during halftime, a new version of “Taps” dedicated to veterans and victims of natural disasters.

“This song is usually played by buglers,” he said. “This version is an arrangement for the entire band, so the audience can expect a beautiful, majestic rendition of ‘Taps.’”

Moffit has often been credited for pioneering many aspects of marching bands and halftime shows. In the 1970s, he successfully adapted well-known pop hits into band arrangements. Known as Sound Power, these numbers added a contemporary feel to college football and basketball games.

Another Moffit innovation was “Patterns of Motion,” marching drill techniques that allowed band directors to coordinate field routines more quickly and easily.

During his time at UH, Moffit’s bands performed at a host of major events and issued regular recordings. In fact, a recording of the “Star Spangled Banner” was used at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

In 1973, Moffit and the UH band performed at the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King at the Astrodome. The nationally televised event drew a crowd of over 30,000. Included in this massive audience was a band admirer who took Moffit by surprise.

“We were playing a song by renowned composer Henry Mancini,” he said. “Halfway through the number, I saw someone walking toward me. I didn’t think much of it, but the person got closer and closer and I realized that it was THE Henry Mancini. I was dumbfounded! When I introduced him to the band, they went wild.”

Moffit’s return to his former campus will spark even more memories, and current band members will also share in his excitement. Considering Moffit’s legacy as a band director and an innovator, students will relish the opportunity to perform with a legend.

“He is still as vibrant as ever,” said David Bertman, director of the Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band. “He is going to electrify these students just like he electrified his own band in the 1970s. Not only that, but the fans at the game will be treated to a rare and entertaining appearance from a great band director.”

Mike Emery
Memery@central.uh.edu