Albert Richard "Cas" Casavant (1917–2002) was an American marching band leader, and innovator credited with the creation of Precision Drill.

While still a cadet he took over the school marching band, and after graduating in 1938 Casavant remained as an instructor while attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville on a track scholarship.

Casavant later stated "the fundamental drill taught at TMI gave me my first contact with the idea of precision of group movement.

[5] When Casavant arrived at Chattanooga City High School in 1944 the band director was Colonel Ira Summers, a Spanish-American War veteran.

One of Casavant's first undertakings was to stock the school library with published sheet music, and he focused on teaching band members sight-reading.

[2] "WATCH: Chattanooga High School Dynamo Marching Band 1958-59, performing a routine under the direction of A.R.Cassavant" (video begins at 30 seconds).

[9] Casavant disapproved of a marching band style common at the time called pageantry, scattering from one formation to another at the command of a drum major (or a signal like a revolver shot from the sidelines).

He began to synthesize a method of marching and maneuvering that drew on the best that each had to offer, an eclectic mix which incorporated dance, theater, and the arts as well, with a focus on crisp geometric forms.

He accumulated a library that grew to include every American, Canadian, and British military marching manual published; as well as books on mathematics, engineering, kineaology, physical education, and theater.

[12] Casavant's technique, publicized in his books, articles, and teaching, established a "path vocabulary:" a method of getting from one place to another geometrically, without scattering.

Precision Marching is that execution when the difference in position and movement of individuals is not discernable by the human eye--above the tolerance of an experienced judge [emphasis in original].

[1][20] Casavant (assisted by his son) conducted summer workshops at more than 100 American colleges and taught marching units from all over the world, including Canada, Japan, Ireland, England, South America, Australia and New Zealand.