The first record of the band was reported in the St. Cloud Times as early as 1887. Prior to the turn of the century they were the only band in the nation that played while riding bicycles. In 1895 this bicycle band was also featured at the Minnesota State Fair.

In 1923, G. Oliver Riggs, St. Cloud's "Music Man," was invited to build a new boys band in the city. By 1927 his band was 233 members strong and was billed as the largest band in the world. Alumni of the band have become members of the U.S. Navy Band, big bands of Tommy Dorsey and Gene Krupa, the Washington Redskins Football Band, and many other military and professional groups.

In 1947 the band became full-time with rehearsals and concerts year-round. In the 1950's the band diversified by playing more classical works, Broadway scores, American folk music, and pops arrangements.

Currently the band has a concert schedule of 25 to 30 performances a year and performs summer concerts at Barden Park near the St. Cloud State University campus. The band also performs at special events such as the Memorial Day program at the VA Medical Center and the 4th of July Fireworks at Hester Park.