It’s sometimes seen as one of the most underrated aspects of a sporting event at Sacramento State, but the marching band supports every rally, performs at about 40 athletic events and rarely receives much recognition from the campus community.

This year, the marching band is seeking to make its presence known.

With new uniforms, guided by a new director and hard work and practice, the marching band is mixing the old with the new to get the recognition it deserves.

The biggest change affecting the marching band is the switch to a new director, Tim Smith. Smith has the difficult task of taking over for a previous director who has a style that has been a tradition at Sac State for 12 years.

But band members have nothing but praise for Smith’s ability to infuse his own material while at the same time keeping the many traditions the band is used to.

Tiffany Leber, band council president, said Smith is a good instructor because he is really patient.

“He understands that it takes time for us to change,” Leber said. “Every director has his own rehearsal style and he’s doing great switching from our last director who’s done it for 12 years.”

Smith has 22 years experience as a professor of music at California State University, East Bay. There, he served as director of symphonic band, wind ensemble and chamber wind ensemble and has taught music education and music literature.

He has many plans for the band this year and plans on drawing on his years of teaching to help improve the quality of the band.

“I take advantage of the student leadership and together the band continues to improve and grow,” Smith said.

The marching band also got an added boost this year with the acquisition of new uniforms.

“The old uniforms were about 10 to 11 years old and you could tell that the white starts to turn a different color,” Leber said.

Leber also said the new band uniforms look cleaner and up-to-date, something that will add to the band’s growing repertoire.

Smith said Jorge Rivera, marching drill instructor, is responsible for the improvements with the band.

“He’s in charge of marching and writing the drills. Together we help the students be the best that they can be,” Smith said.

You can usually find the marching band hard at work behind Tahoe Hall, constantly striving to perfect its marching steps. Flags are sprinkled all over the field to mark the complex patterns the band is working on.

“We’re getting there and we’re doing well, but there’s always room to grow,” Rivera said.

The practices are serious business, but band members are always in good spirits and are among good-natured laughs.

Bryan Stroh, drum major, said it’s a combination of hard work and camaraderie that earns the marching band their success.

“We’re really like a fraternity and we’re successful because we know how to entertain a crowd. People watch us and they appreciate it,” Stroh said.

Regardless of the group’s new improvements this year, its success still derives from the hard work and dedication of the band members.

“You won’t find another single group who dedicates more man hours to the university community and the athletic department,” Smith said.

The 75-member band is also looking for new members this year. Anyone with musical experience interested in joining the marching band is encouraged to do so, Leber said. She also said any majors are welcome, although some musical experience is preferred.

“Right now we’re a small band with a big sound,” Leber said.

The Sac State marching band performs at every major sporting event including the Causeway Classic against UC Davis. It also marches at every tailgate party and at pre-games.

The marching band will be performing on Saturday at the homecoming game.

Charles Weinstein can be reached at [email protected]