CALDWELL, Idaho - When Luis Fisher takes the field at Simplot Stadium, he's doing more than directing music. He's driving a cultural shift. As the new Director of Athletic Bands at The College of Idaho, Fisher isn't just planning halftime shows, he's laying the groundwork for a program built on school spirit, musical excellence, and athletic unity.
In early 2025, the College made a bold move by moving its marching and pep bands under the umbrella of the athletic department. At the center of that decision is Fisher, whose passion for music, education, and community has already struck a powerful chord on campus.
Music has always been Fisher's language. "I was just following in my older brothers' footsteps," he recalls. As a grade-schooler, he picked up his brother's horn and never put it down. By seventh grade, he was not only mastering trombone and tuba but also performing with the eighth-grade band and jazz ensemble.
His influences are as wide-ranging as his instruments: classical greats like Bach and Beethoven, jazz icons Miles Davis and Maynard Ferguson, and, most importantly, his own family. "The biggest influence of all was my mother," Fisher says. "She put a Casio keyboard in my hands in third grade. Without her, I wouldn't be here."
By the time he attended his first high school band camp, Fisher knew his future. "What 12-year-old knows what they want to do for the rest of their lives?" he laughs. "But I did." Years of teaching and performing with competitive drum and bugle corps cemented his philosophy: music is not just about notes, it's about teaching life lessons.
That belief has guided him through a decorated teaching career, one that includes a Grammy nomination in 2018 and one of education's top local honors, the Golden Apple Award. For Fisher, the latter stands out. "It was a sense of pride for the school as much as for me," he says. Named one of just six Golden Apple recipients in his Florida district for 2022–23, Fisher earned the award after years of nominations, interviews, classroom visits, and community involvement. "The fact that it all started with a student's nomination is what made it so meaningful."
Now in Caldwell, Fisher sees nothing but opportunity. "We have the chance to do something great here," he says. "There are only four college marching bands in Idaho, and we're in the most populated part of the state." With student enthusiasm and a supportive campus culture, Fisher envisions the Coyote Marching Band rising into one of the Northwest's premier programs.
The students, he says, are part of history in the making. "One day, they'll be able to say they were here when it all started."
This fall, fans can expect a taste of that vision. One halftime show will draw from the Billboard Top 100 of September 3, 2016, the date of the Coyotes' first-ever marching band performance. Beyond that, Fisher is keeping the setlist under wraps. "We're limited by our library and licensing, but trust me, we're going to bring the energy."
The biggest change, however, is happening behind the scenes. With the band program now officially tied to athletics, collaboration is the name of the game. "There's always been an unofficial partnership between band and athletics," Fisher says. "Now it's official, and that changes everything."
From shared facilities and medical resources to broader media exposure, the benefits are already clear. "We're a package deal now," Fisher explains. "Football? You get a marching band. Basketball? Pep band comes with it. We're working as one team to elevate the fan experience."
That unified vision, he believes, will ripple far beyond game day. "Fans won't want to leave their seats at halftime when we're putting on top-tier performances," Fisher says. "It's about building an atmosphere that energizes our teams and our community."
Challenges remain, new systems to adopt, new expectations to meet, but Fisher isn't worried. "Our interests and goals are aligned," he says. "We are primed to take the C of I to the next level."
With Fisher at the helm, the Coyote Marching Band isn't just performing music. They're building a legacy, one note at a time.
