George Rudolph Cavender Jr. ( October 10, 1919 – March 2, 2004) was an American music educator and director best known for his association with the University of Michigan, where he led the university's bands, including the Michigan Marching Band, from 1952 until 1978, first as Assistant Director and then as Director. During those twenty-six years, Cavender worked closely with William Revelli to develop the Michigan Band into a globally recognized performance group.
Early life and education (1919–1941) Cavender was born in Wakefield, Michigan, in 1919, the only son of George and Emma Cavender. In 1941, he earned a bachelor's degree from Northern Michigan College of Education.
Military service (1942–1946) During World War II, Cavender attained the rank of Major while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, commanding a group of tanks in the South Pacific. He received multiple commendations during his 29-month deployment which included the Bougainville campaign, Second Battle of Guam, and the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Public education (1946–1951) After the war, Cavender returned to the University of Michigan in 1946 and enrolled in the School of Music as a violinist. He joined the band as a percussionist. There, he received his M.Mus. degree in 1947. After earning his master's degree, Cavender served as the Director of Instrumental Music in Ypsilanti Public Schools until 1951. He then decided to pursue a faculty position at the University of Michigan.
Assistant Director of the University of Michigan Bands (1952–1971) As a newly hired faculty member, Cavender served as an instructor of music and was appointed Assistant Director of the University of Michigan Bands in 1952. He rose to the position of assistant professor in 1957, followed by associate professor in 1962, and then professor in 1966. He retained his Assistant Directorship until he was promoted to Director of Bands in 1971.
On September 27, 1958, Revelli and Cavender organized and conducted a massed band consisting of over 12,000 musicians.
Cavender played a significant role, including logistical support, on the University of Michigan Symphony Band's 15-week performance tour of the Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East in 1961.
Cavender was a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Beta Mu, the American Bandmasters Association, the College Band Directors National Association, the Music Educators National Conference, and the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. In 1969, he was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel in gratitude for his services to Northern Kentucky high school bands.
Director of the University of Michigan Bands (1971–1975) Upon Revelli's retirement in 1971, Cavender became Director of Bands at the University of Michigan. He continued to serve in that role until 1975, when H. Robert Reynolds was named as his successor.
Also in 1971, Cavender founded the Big Ten Band Directors Association and became its first president.
Cavender is credited with creating the simple lyrics of "Let's Go Blue" in a moment of enthusiastic improvisation after the song had been played several times at a hockey game in Yost Ice Arena.
Director of the Michigan Marching Band (1971–1979)
Pursuing improvements
Dr. Revelli's retirement in 1971 also led to Cavender becoming Director of the MMB that summer. During his tenure as the Director of the MMB, Cavender strove to build upon the band's success achieved in the preceding decades. He continually experimented with show elements, instrument placement, marching techniques, and uniform designs in pursuit of continuous improvement. A former member of the marching band under Cavender's direction noted that he "accomplished a lot through intimidation and humiliation".