I had the opportunity to attend the Mike Leckrone Spring Concert this past weekend. Well, I suppose it was actually the Wisconsin Band Spring Concert, but one could have mistaken the band for an instrument of and a backdrop for Mr. Leckrone’s ego.

One has to be reminded that the star of this event is nominally an organization of students. Yet only a single band member was recognized by name. And on this, the night of their final public performance, no graduating seniors were recognized. Stunningly, the band was never directed to stand as a unit to accept applause while Mr. Leckrone took his bows. Such behavior at a professional orchestra would raise eyebrows, let alone at a student concert.

And yet we were treated to seeing Mr. Leckrone taking the baton from the band’s Assistant Director, Ernest Jennings – who served as a stand- in conductor for the very few times when Mr. Leckrone was not front and center – without a word of public thanks or recognition. We saw two home-made videos, one cast with him exclusively and the other with students, but with him back again at the finale. And in a scene that can only be described as grotesque, the American flag was marched in by an ROTC unit, not to be saluted, but to be used as a prop; because at the same time Mr. Leckrone was suspended by a wire, doing back flips while sailing over the audience. It was clear which spectacle was supposed to get the greater attention.

It is time for Mr. Leckrone to retire, or to be retired. No one should direct an artistic organization for 40 years, no matter his accomplishments. The fact that he has survived this long is evidence either of the strength of his cult of personality, or of the fact that the university leaders simply do not care enough about the band. They would tolerate no similar tenure of a football or basketball coach, even more so because at its best the band has been no better than 3rd best in the Big Ten.

One only has to reflect on the most telling moment of the concert this past Friday, when Mr. Leckrone took the baton from Mr. Jennings after floating in a second time from the Kohl Center rafters, and remarked “Let’s not forget whose band this is.” Well, it is he who has forgotten. The band belongs first to the students of the University, and perhaps even to the people of Wisconsin. But it is certainly not his personal property.

There is no question that in the 39 years of his tenure, Mr. Leckrone has re-invented the band, and turned it into something simply brand new. But the halftime music at football games is outdated. The formations are tired. The drum major, the supposed leader of the band, is nothing more than a baton twirler in Mr. Leckrone’s shadow, be it on the field or in the pre-game concerts at Union South, where no one gets the microphone or center stage except the band director.

Has he done anything to prepare for the transition to a new director, should his advancing age force him to step aside? The only time he does not lead the band at a football, basketball, or hockey game is when he has a more important game to attend. Mr. Jennings is relegated to volleyball. One would reasonably expect someone else to be given a shot at least 1 of every 4 or 5 big games.

There are undoubtedly many who worship this man, and he probably deserves some of it. But what he does not deserve is full personal control of the band and, by extension, control of the many dedicated student musicians. There is simply no reason that this band should not be challenging the bands of Ohio State and Michigan for supremacy. What that requires is someone who is fearful for his job; someone who knows that unless he moves the marker forward, he might be replaced. “On Wisconsin” demands change.

We do not need to suffer through the ego trip of Mr. Leckrone’s 40th year at Wisconsin and another self-serving spring concert. His retirement, and the eventual ascension of Mr. Jennings or another deserving candidate, should be forthcoming.