USU band director talks about his team’s experience playing for Gov. Cox’s inauguration

Utah State University’s band participated in performing the National Anthem during Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson’s inauguration on Jan 4. 

The inauguration was held at 11 a.m. at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Ivins, UT, on the 125th anniversary of Utah’s statehood. 

During the broadcast, videos of USU students playing their instruments were shown, as well as video of Snow College’s band and North Sanpete High School’s band playing together in Snow College’s auditorium. 

All three institutions are the governor’s alma maters.  

USU Band Director Lane Weaver said he was contacted about the opportunity early December by the Snow College band director. 

“Gov. Cox was interested in having the National Anthem performed by students from all his alma maters, so North Sanpete High School, Snow College and us,” Weaver said. 

Weaver said USU’s band members were recorded separately from their own apartments and dorm rooms. 

“Because Snow College and North Sanpete are relatively close together, they were able to get together in a socially distanced matter in Snow College’s auditorium and do their recording,” he said. 

Only a portion of USU’s band members were asked to record for the performance. 

“We could’ve had many, many more, but for production and time purposes we contacted about a dozen students who represented us well. They all made recordings on their own, and we sent those to Snow College and their personnel produced it and put it all together,” Weaver said. 

Weaver said the opportunity was an honor. 

“We’re happy we have an Aggie alumnus for governor,” he said. “It’s a nice connection to have. We’re happy to be a part of it. It was nice to be involved and asked to do something like that.”

Weaver said that the fact that everyone has gotten used to adapting to virtual options during the pandemic made this opportunity a possibility. 

“The fact that we’re in this COVID era, and are used to doing things online and collaborating online in that sense made it possible for us to put this together,” he said.