Montana State University’s Spirit of the West Marching Band has achieved a long-term goal by registering at least 200 members for the first time in its history. The milestone, reached in July, reflects significant growth from 73 students fourteen years ago to more than double that number today. The band now draws members from over 20 states and 40 academic majors.
Nathan Stark, MSU’s director of bands, expressed his vision for the group’s future. “In another 10 years, in 2035, I want to say, ‘Hey, do you remember 2025 and what a great year that was? Let me tell you about the 2025 band,’” Stark said.
Stark noted that a larger band allows for more complex choreography and a stronger sound. With around 215 students this season, he plans to expand the band’s formations across nearly the entire length of MSU’s football field.
Efforts to increase membership began over a decade ago when Stark set an initial target of 130 members in 2013. Support from former MSU President Waded Cruzado, academic advisers, and leadership within the College of Arts and Architecture played key roles. At that time, Montana State doubled its scholarship support for band members. Currently, Spirit of the West participants receive a four-year tuition reduction totaling $8,000—an initiative Stark says helps students manage college costs while balancing classes and work responsibilities.
Band membership has stayed steady near 190 over recent years before surpassing the current mark.
This season’s milestone member is freshman Hollie Banks from Laurel. Banks plays clarinet and was inspired by videos showcasing Spirit of the West performances—including their choreography depicting “Shrek” in 2023—and opportunities for travel such as appearances at Football Championship Subdivision games in Frisco, Texas.
Banks intends to study art education at MSU. She previously traveled with her high school pep band and performed abroad through Northern Musicians Abroad with her brother.
“At MSU, I’m looking forward to not staying in my room, which is what I would do if I wasn’t in the Spirit of the West,” Banks said. “It gives me new places to go and people to meet.”
Stark emphasized how participation can help students build connections on campus: “We want the marching band to be a reason for students to stay in school and find community,” he said. “How easy would it be to just go to your room, eat, go to class and go back to your room? How lonely would that be? Our focus has been on how we turn the marching band into a tool for student success.”
Band members are currently attending their annual camp ahead of classes starting August 20th. They spend seven days auditioning and preparing routines for fall performances.
Jordan Jensen—a sixth-year biochemistry major from Townsend—is one of this year’s drum majors who mentors freshmen during camp and leads performances throughout the season. He described sharing experience with younger musicians as rewarding: “It’s so cool to be able to impart a lot of that wisdom on younger musicians,” Jensen said. “It’s like a ball rolling down a hill: You get it started, and it’s cool to see where it ends up.”
Jensen called reaching 200 members “mind-boggling” after five years with Spirit of the West: “It’s so rewarding to do all this hard work and practice and then to be able to produce something so beautiful when all is said and done,” Jensen said. “Whether it is in a concert hall or on a field, there’s something to be said about the power that music has.”
