California Polytechnic State University Mustang Band

The marching band is well-known around campus as an exciting and spirited group that brings pep, passion, and tradition to every performance.

[2]A native of Modesto, California, Rackley received his bachelor of music and master of arts degrees in theory and composition from San Francisco State University, studying conducting with Lazlo Varga and composition with Luigi Zaninnelli, Roger Nixon, Peter Sacco, Carl Sitton, and Pulitzer Prize winning composer Wayne Peterson.

His production music credits include Days of Our Lives, America's Most Wanted, Cheers, Nurses, Picket Fences, L.A. Law, All My Children, General Hospital, Home Improvement, Quantum Leap, and Seinfeld.

The band marches to Cal Poly's own traditional drum cadences, such as Baja Blasted, Tick Tock, Musty Mambo, and George, which is by far the most popular.

On the way to the stadium, the band will occasionally make a stop at FanFest (in previous years, it was the president's house) where they perform a few numbers for fellow students.

The Pre-Game Show begins with a high-step run-on, continues with the Cal Poly Fanfare, "Yea Poly," the "Alma Mater," and at the end of each performance the band plays the Star-Spangled Banner while the ROTC brings the flags to the field.

For every touchdown, the band plays the Cal Poly fight song, "Ride High, You Mustangs."

For every point after or field goal made, they play "Yea Poly," an old fight song revived in 2007.

The show changes for almost every game and requires a significant amount of work and practice in order to complete in time.

The band remains stationary and plays select songs as the audience and team leave the stadium.

The Christmas Parades takes place in Downtown San Luis Obispo while the Open House Parade takes place at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo campus.

The Mustang Band also performs at the Cal Poly Music Department's annual Fall Concert entitled Bandfest.

Every March they travel with the basketball teams to perform as a thirty-member ensemble at the Big West Tournament, historically in Anaheim (at the Convention Center or Honda Center) and now in the Greater Las Vegas Area (at Dollar Loan Arena).

– Harold P. Davidson Yea Poly Listen On Pacific shores, 'neath Bishop Peak Along the serene San Luis Creek Lies our alma mater, grand as can be!

Many a foe will stalk her ground But we, mighty Mustangs, won't be found But valiantly marching to victory!

– Music by Harold P. Davidson, Lyrics by Joshua B. Parker (CSC 2009) – Adopted as a Cal Poly song on May 19, 2009 All Hail Green and Gold Listen All Hail, Green and Gold, May your praises e'er be told Of friendship, and of courage And stalwart ones of old!