January 29, 2004

“Spirit of Houston” spreads the word
Marching band key to university’s promotion

By Mike Emery
Staff writer

Whether the Panthers or Patriots win, one thing about this weekend’s Super Bowl is for certain … the University of Houston’s marching band will become part of history.

Performing alongside pop icon Janet Jackson and the Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul marching band, UH’s Spirit of Houston Cougar Marching Band will entertain its biggest audience yet.

Still, a Super Bowl performance is but a feather in the cap of an organization that has exemplified university pride since 1946.

At the time, the band was under the direction of W.I. Shepherd. Clad in all white and wearing cadet hats, the band was assembled just in time to support UH’s fledgling football squad.

Leadership changed during the 1950s. Former UH student James Warren became the band’s director in 1955.

In 1957, James Mathews assumed control of the ensemble. Aside from concentrating on drill designs and marching, Mathews’ emphasized the band’s concert abilities.

By stressing the importance of musical precision in addition to marching techniques, Mathews had set the stage for the band director who would completely revamp the art of halftime performances.

In 1969, William C. Moffit arrived at UH, and the band soon became known for its bold marching drills and its blend of volume and musical exactness.

Moffit’s “Patterns of Motion” drill style allowed for innovative field routines that were easier and faster for directors to coordinate.

These techniques became the standard for college bands during the 1970s.

Likewise, his reworking of rock and pop songs into marching band numbers - known as “Sound Power” - were utilized to rev up crowds at football stadiums, basketball arenas and pep rallies.

Under Moffit’s direction, UH’s band rendered a version of the “Star Spangled Banner” that was played at Madison Square Garden and at 1973’s legendary “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match at the Astrodome.

When Moffit left UH in 1981, Gregory Talford took over the reins for three years. Robert Mayes would direct the band from 1984 - 2000.

In 2000, David Bertman became the band’s seventh director and has taken great strides in maintaining the level of energy his predecessors instilled in the marching band program.

David Ashley White, director of the Moores School of Music, said the marching band serves several purposes.

One of those is facilitating students who wish to pursue music education and aspire to leading a marching band on the high school or college level.

White also sees the ensemble as being an invaluable tool in promoting the university.

Through its countless appearances in state, local and national events, the “Spirit of Houston” uses its performance skills to promote the university at home and around the world.

“The Spirit of Houston represents the university to the community and beyond,” White said. “Whether it is playing Super Bowl events, parades, concerts or games, the band is a wonderful vehicle for people to see what goes on here. Best of all, it is a great band to see in terms of quality musicianship and its outstanding showmanship.”