Monday, Sep. 22, 2008

Ron Agostini's 1993 column on Robert Briggs

Editor's note: This is a column by Ron Agostini on Robert Briggs published Oct. 24, 1993.

From North Tunnel of Memorial Stadium, at 240 beats per minute, charges the University of California Marching Band.

"The Bomb," a flash-powder explosion that shakes pine cones from the trees on nearby Tightwad Hill, leaves the band sprinting through a puff of white smoke.

At midfield, Robert O. Briggs stands atop his conductor's ladder, white glove clutching white baton. He feels the nerves of a lifetime performer, the pride in young peoples' energy, and eternal loyalty to the University of California.

"I guess we like what we're doing," he said.

Briggs, the offspring of one of Modesto's pioneer families, has been involved with the Cal Band for more than 40 years.

This is his 23rd autumn as the band's director, and he never tires of the unit's dramatic and spirited entrance before every Cal football game.

The pregame show has been largely unchanged since 1961. From the turn-of-the-century school songs to the "Tuba Strut" to "Script Cal," it touches on an outmoded and almost forgotten theme — school pride.

Yes, the same institution that gave us Mario Savio, the free speech movement and tear gas in Sproul Plaza trots out a buttoned-downed spit-shined marching band that still believes it's cool to pick up its heels and turn its corners square.

One of Briggs' major responsibilities is to maintain the tradition. In many ways, he is the keeper of Cal's flame.

"I'm the person who's here year after year. They (the students) change," said Briggs, 66. "We have to be careful not to re-invent the wheel every year."

In the 102-year history of the Cal Band, Briggs is the only member to have marched in four Rose Bowls. He is only the band's third director since 1929. He played cornet and french horn under both his predecessors, Charles C. Cushing and James Berdahl.

Briggs' background forms a kaleidoscope of Modesto history. If Frank Mancini — of Mancini Bowl in Graceada Park — was the city's first Music Man, Briggs may not be far behind.

In the beginning

The year was 1931. On one end of Fifth Avenue, near McHenry, stood the dairy of H. Russell Briggs, Robert's father. At the other end of the road, near Tully, resided the Whitmore's, another prominent family.

The suggestion came from the wives, May Whitmore and Rose Briggs: None of Modesto's other east-west roads were numbered, so why not approach Stanislaus County with a new name for Fifth?

So began Briggsmore Avenue.

That was the second local street named after the Briggs' family. Near Modesto High is Briggs Avenue, named after James R. Briggs, Robert's great-grandfather. James, a lieutenant for the North during the Civil War, led a wagon train into the valley and eventually owned a section of land where Modesto High is located.

"There's a lot of Modesto in me," Robert said. "The one thing I always loved was music."

He began piano lessons at age 5. In fourth grade, he picked up his father's Briggs, 95 and still a Modesto resident. "I belonged to the first Modesto Boys Band ever organized. We played at the dedication of the arch (1911)."

Buoyed by his musical upbringing, Robert played in the Modesto Symphony and the Stanislaus County Boys Band — both headed by Mancini — during his years at Modesto High and Modesto Junior College.

"Mancini was the major force in Modesto music during those years," Briggs recalled. "Everything sort of revolved around him."

Briggs transferred to Cal after his 1948 graduation from MJC. His time as a Cal bandsman couldn't have been better timed. The Golden Bears reached the Rose Bowl three straight years — 1949-50-51 — and Briggs made the Pasadena trip each time. His fourth appearance there took place in 1959 as a special alumnus selection.