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Sycamore Bands

School of Music

Welcome to the online home of the Sycamore Bands of Indiana State University!

Each of our ensembles is open to ALL students on campus, regardless of major. While some groups (Wind Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Sycamores Drumline, Sycamore Color Guard) require an audition, others are open to all (Marching Sycamores woodwinds and brass, Sycamore Basketball Band woodwinds and brass, Concert Band). 

It is our goal to be as inclusive as possible. If you miss playing your instrument (or spinning a flag/rifle/baton), we can find an ensemble that will fit your ability level and motivation. You do not have to be a music major to participate. In the past, our ensembles have been represented by majors from across campus, including (to mention only a few) Athletic Training, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Communications, English, History, Marketing, Mathematics, Philosophy, Political Science, Pre-Law, Pre-Med, Psychology, Special Education, and many, many more!

The Mission of the School of Music at Indiana State University is to prepare students for careers and continued study in music education, music business, performance, and music as a liberal art. Recognized for its long history of training music educators and members of the music business community, the school offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in a personalized environment. We provide experiential learning opportunities, develop life-long learning skills, and foster cultural engagement and international exchange. The school promotes awareness and appreciation of the musical arts through courses for all university students and serves as a cultural resource for the university, local community, and the state through outreach, special events, and public performances.

The Mission of the Sycamore Bands is to encourage a lifelong love for music, positively affecting the lives of our members and helping prepare them for their post-collegiate life by instilling self-discipline, pride, leadership, and commitment. In everything we do, our goal is to push the idea of excellence and professionalism, whether through a half time performance, an ensemble concert, or in our every day lives.

Our concert ensembles strive for excellence and education, whether at a concert or at a rehearsal. Every time a Sycamore Band steps on stage to perform, our goal is precision, quality, and musicality. Not everyone will go on to make music a part of their post-collegiate lives, and we are aware of that; in addition to helping mold the next generation of musicians and teachers, we also wish to mold the next generation of concert-goers and arts patrons: Well-rounded people who know and appreciate music as an art form. 

​Our athletic bands strive to entertain and educate, whether performing for fans around Indiana State University, on the road at tournaments and away games, practicing our music and drill, or helping in our community. We offer ensembles with high performance standards and provide a creative outlet for all university students who wish to be a part of the Sycamore Bands. It is important to our members and alumni that we continue this tradition of entertainment and excellence while demonstrating a high level of class and professionalism, all the while making the experience an enjoyable one for everyone involved.

The Indiana State University School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

The earliest bands at Indiana State University (which was then called the Indiana State Normal School) were organized and run by students (sometimes with a faculty advisor). These bands tended to be all-male, and consisted mainly of brass and percussion, though from time to time they would be joined by other instruments. The Advance, the student newspaper of the time, documents such groups as early as 1904. By 1924, the University had recognized band as an official part of the curriculum, and fundraising efforts were undertaken to buy instruments. A class rehearsal schedule was established, and academic credit was given for participation. 

In 1933, Mr. Harold Bright was given responsibility for the burgeoning band program, and a marching band was created. That first marching band played at every football and basketball game, as well as baseball games versus Purdue and Indiana University. Originally, the band consisted of only men, supported by female twirlers and “flag swingers.” The band remained an all-male organization until 1942, when it admitted 20 females in order to replace those members serving in the war. By 1963, women were full-time members of the Marching Sycamores. Meanwhile, the concert bands continued to flourish, with enrollment as high as one hundred players each year. Bright's memory is honored each year with the presentation of the Harold Bright Distinguished Service Medal, first awarded in 1935. 

In 1939, Mr. Joseph A. Gremelspacher became the Director of Bands at what was by then called Indiana State Teachers College. Responsible for many of the traditions associated with the bands at ISU, Gremelspacher wrote the Fight Song (March On!) and helped promote the band department through his tireless efforts. In 1953 Gremelspacher was succeeded by his longtime Associate Director of Bands, George Graesch, but remained on faculty until 1967. Mr. George M. Graesch became the Director of Bands at Indiana State in 1953, conducting the Symphonic Band and also the Marching Band and Basketball Band, in addition to teaching courses in the Music Education curriculum. 

Gremelspacher and Graesch both helped develop a music education curriculum that attracted many students who wanted to become public school band directors. The bands were renamed to "Wind Ensemble" and "Symphonic Band" in 1974 (from Symphonic Band and Varsity Band), and began to meet year-round in 1976. Repertoire became more challenging, often featuring the latest works of significant composers, and performances at conventions became commonplace.

Graesch retired in 1984, and was succeeded by his assistant, William Wakefield, who remained as Director of Bands until 1985 before leading to take the Director of Bands position at the University of Oklahoma. From 1985 to 1988, John Anderson served as the Director of Bands. Following his departure to teach in California, Dalvin Boone, Dave Booth, and David Watkins split the duties of the position for the 1988-1989 academic year. 

In 1989, Dr. John Boyd was appointed as Director of Bands, beginning a new era for the Indiana State University band department. The top wind band, now named the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, regularly appeared at regional and national conventions, and in 2001 traveled to Tajimi , Japan, for a series of overseas concerts. The group also appeared on several compact disc recordings on the ELF music label. 

Dr. Doug Keiser was appointed Director of Athletic Bands in 1990, and began to lay a strong foundation for the Marching Sycamores as well as the Sycamore Basketball Band, in addition to conducting the Symphonic Band. While Dr. Keiser stepped down as Director of Athletic Bands in 2009, he continues to serve on the ISU Music Education faculty. In 2010, Dr. Boyd retired from Indiana State University and was succeeded by Dr. Roby G. George, who currently continues to serve in this capacity.

Under Dr. George's tenure, the ISU Wind Orchestra performed at numerous conventions and conferences, including a CBDNA regional performance. In 2015, Dr. Nikk Pilato was appointed Director of Athletic Bands, and in 2016 he was appointed Associate Director of Bands. Dr. Pilato taught courses in the music education curriculum including Conducting, Scoring, and Marching Band Procedures, and conducted the Wind Symphony, Sycamore Basketball Band, and Marching Sycamores.

Songs of Indiana State, was a book of school songs published in 1931.

CURRENT DIRECTORS

Dr. Eric Scott, Director of Bands

Emmanuel Rodriguez, Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands

Mr. Jay Ellsmore, Director of Jazz Ensemble

FORMER DIRECTORS

Director of Bands​

  • Stephen Gage (2022- 2023)
  • Roby G. George (2010-2022)
  • ​John P. Boyd (1989 - 2010)
  • Dalvin Boone (1988 - 1989)
  • John Anderson (1985 - 1988)
  • William K. Wakefield (1983 - 1985)
  • George Graesch (1959 - 1983)
  • Joseph A. Gremelspacher (1939 - 1959)
  • Harold Bright (1932 - 1939)
  • William H. Bryant (1923 - 1932)

Associate Director of Bands​

  • Kathryn Spangler (2022-2023)
  • Nikk Pilato (2016-2022)
  • Doug Keiser (1990 - 2022)
  • Andrew Boysen, Jr. (Acting ADOB, 1995 - 1996)
  • Randy Mitchell (Acting Director, Symphonic Band, 1996-1997)
  • Jeff Girard (Acting Director, Symphonic Band, 1996-1997)
  • Jeff Steiner (Acting ADOB 1997-1998)

 Director of Athletic Bands​

  • Kathryn Spangler (2022-2023)
  • Nikk Pilato (2015-2022)
  • Nicole Gross (2013 - 2015)
  • John Williams (2012 - 2013)
  • Joseph Corey Francis (2011 - 2012)
  • Gary Wallyn (Acting Director, Fall 2010)
  • Eric Drew (Acting Director of ISUMS, 2007)
  • Kevin Swift (Acting Director of ISUMS, 2007)
  • Dan Peo (Acting Director of ISUMS, 2006)​
  • Doug Keiser (1990 - 2011)
  • Dave Booth (1987 - 1990)
  • Leonard Salvo (1987 - 1989)
  • Bruce Lauffer (1984 - 1987)
  • William K. Wakefield (1980 - 1984)
  • William F. Swor (1978 - 1980)
  • Herman Knoll (1976 - 1978)
  • Gary E. Smith (1972 - 1976)
  • James E. Church (1967 - 1972)
  • George M. Graesch (1961 - 1967)
  • Sanford Watts (1957 - 1961)
  • Joseph A. Gremelspacher (1939 - 1957)
  • Harold Bright (1932 - 1939)

Our Faculty and Staff

Budget Coordinator
Lindsey Skaza

Winds and Percussion Faculty
Paul Bro - Saxophone
Jay Ellsmore - Trumpet
Andrea Hoyt - Clarinet
Brian Kilp - Horn
Angela Reynolds - Flute

Kelly Fallon - Instrument Repair Technician

Sycamore Bands - Ensemble Directors
Eric Scott - Wind Orchestra, Concert Band
Emmanuel Rodriguez - Marching Sycamores, Sycamore Basketball Band
Jay Ellsmore - Jazz Ensemble