The Keith Stein Blue Thunder Marching Band is the marching band of Boise State University. With over 180 members, the band supports the Boise State Broncos football team at Albertsons Stadium. The modern version of the band, re-established in 1987 after a period of inactivity, makes it the youngest band in the Pac-12 Conference.
Origins The BMB has origins as a pep band in the 1930s, transformation into a marching band in the 1950s, and was active until the 1976 when support and funds from the student body and community began to wane. The original version of the band was inactive until 1986, when a $250,000 scholarship donation from Keith and Catherine Stein allowed the music department to start talks of restarting the marching band. Over $500,000 were raised in support of marching band scholarships, and the modern version of the band debuted at a football game against Delaware State on September 5, 1987.
Directors The following list begins from the 1987 re-establishment of the band. +Directors of the Keith Stein Blue Thunder Marching BandDirectorYearsDavid A. Wells1987-2008Nathan Stark (interim)2009Eric Smedley2010Joe Tornello2011-
Band composition
Instrumentation
Flute Piccolo Clarinet Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone Trombone Baritone Sousaphone Snare Drum Tenor Drums Bass Drum Cymbals
Auxiliaries
Color Guard Twirler
Repertoire
"Orange and Blue" "Orange and Blue" is the fight song of the university. It was composed in 1940 by Boise State Junior College student Eldred Renk. It was revised in 1965 when the institution became Boise College. It was almost replaced in 1974 when the institution became Boise State University, but students voted to keep the fight song.
"Les Bois" "Les Bois" is the alma mater of the university. It was written around 1940 by James L. Strachan and Grace Watson. Additional verses were added later by Helen Moore.
Service The Blue Thunder Marching Band is supported by the Iota Kappa chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, which was chartered on April 14, 1990. The chapter is part of the Western district, and works to promote band activity throughout the university, develop leadership skills among its members, and foster communication and cooperation between other chapters, particularly those within the district.
References