Cal Songs
Cal Band March
Written in 1978 by Jonathan B. Elkus, Robert Bramson, and Susan Mattson; arranged by Larry
Austin.
© UC Regents. All Rights Reserved.
Sound Clip: MP3 (3092 KB)
As guards of California's honor, we march along.
And loyal to mighty Alma Mater, we will be strong.
For we know about her glorious future
And we want to lead the way.
And when the game's done,
California's Golden Bear has carried the day.
All hail to California's glory, victors we rise.
And still our banner's proudly flying 'neath golden skies.
Marching on, our drums and bugles calling
For our glorious destiny,
While all our hearts, true,
Carry forth the Gold and Blue throughout land and "C."*
In 1978 the Tellefsen Hall Directors commissioned Jonathan Elkus (currently director of the University of California, Davis Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh) to compose "Cal Band March" in memory of Chris Tellefsen. Tellefsen was an employee of the Associated Students of the University of California student union who worked closely with the Band from the 1920's through the 1960's and helped the Band secure a new set of uniforms. Tellefsen was an honorary lifetime member of the Band, and the Band's house/ residence hall was named in honor of him.
The lyrics of "Cal Band March" were adapted shortly after the piece was written. A contest was held within the Band (as with "Roll On"), and Robert Bramson and Susan Mattson both won, each submitting one verse. The song itself was rarely played until the trio was used as the third song of the Cal Band's 1991 pregame show. Spring Show 1992 was the first time the entire march was performed with marching continuity.