cornets play the high "woodwind-like" parts. Flutes and clarinets were phased out in the early 1960s as Spartan Stadium expanded and more sound was desired. The E-flat cornet in the SMB instrumentation is reminiscent of the standard British brass band tradition. E-flat alto horns were used until 1980. They were replaced in 1981 by standard mellophones (in F). Bass trombones now (added fall 2018) enhance the trombone section's low end. In today's SMB, all instruments are provided to members. The presence of "like instruments" has further enhanced the sound of the band, as well as creating a uniform look with silver-plated instruments. 1 or 2 Drum Majors 1 to 3 Feature Twirlers 40 member color guard 34 Alto Saxophones 18 Tenor Saxophones 8 E flat Cornets 52 B Flat Trumpets 28 Mellophones 36 Trombones (+ 4 B Tbns) 18 Baritones 24 Sousaphones 18 Big Ten Flags 10 or 11 Snare Drums (11 during the 2019 season; 10 for previous seasons) 5 or 6 Tenor Drums 7 Bass Drums 10 Cymbals Organization Current Director In 2017, Dr. David Thornton, who previously served as the Associate Director of the Spartan Marching Band in 2015 and 2016, was appointed Director of the Spartan Marching Band and Associate Director of Bands at MSU. In March 2018, Dr. Arris Golden was selected as Associate Director of the SMB, and Assistant Director of MSU Bands. Prior, Golden had a brief tenure as the assistant director of The Marching Tar Heels. Instructors and Graduate Assistants Working directly under the director are graduate assistants and various instructors. Instructors are typically paid positions and their duties include visual, color guard and percussion. Graduate assistants are graduate students from the MSU College of Music who arrange music, design drill, rehearse music, and teach on the field in preparation for halftime and pregame shows. Administratively, graduate assistants conduct challenges and auditions. Drum Major(s) Typically, the Spartan Marching Band has only one drum major for the entire ensemble. However, in years when the drum major is a graduating senior there are two, allowing the new drum major to have one season of apprenticeship. The position is chosen through an audition process. The drum major and band president are the top ranking student leaders in the organization. The "Voice of the Band" The Announcer for the Spartan Marching Band is also known as the "Voice of the Band." Throughout the years, the band