Michigan Marching Band History - The Cavender Years: 1952 - 1978

1978

As both the Marching and Symphony Bands grew in prominence and recognition, more and more musicians from out of state came to study under Revelli and to play in the University of Michigan Band. In 1952, more than half of those trying out for placement in the Marching Band—such as horn player, H. Robert Reynolds from Meadville, Pennsylvania—were from out of state.

1952 was also the year when George Cavender returned to the University of Michigan to assist William Revelli as Assistant Director of Bands, a post he would hold for the next nineteen years. It was no surprise when Revelli called upon Cavender's services. In 1946, Cavender enrolled in the School of Music as a violinist and joined the band as a percussionist. Like thousands of other Michigan Band members, George Cavender was deeply inspired by the standards and quest for perfection that William Revelli exemplified. As Dick Smith, Drum Major of the 1952 Marching Band, would recall, Cavender "was enthusiastic" from the moment he arrived. "Everything he does is pretty much in the same vein. He tries to instill that enthusiasm in everyone." From 1952 to his retirement from the band in 1979, he preached that life was not worth living unless one gave "150%". Thousands of Michigan Band Alumni claim that their success in life is due in part to the motivation they received from George Cavender.