Since its beginnings in the 1890s, the Cedar Falls band has had only seven conductors. From 1891 to 1893 B. K. Kilbourne was the director of the band. Charles Hewitt followed for a brief period in 1893, when financial difficulties caused sponsorship of the band to be taken over by the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The lodge then hired Professor Frank A. Fitzgerald, who directed the band from 1893 until 1906.

    In 1896, Fitzgerald also became an instrumental music instructor at the Iowa State Normal School, a position he would hold until 1907. Before coming to Cedar Falls, Fitzgerald was a cornetist with the world famous Gilmore Band in New York City. It was under his direction that the Cedar Falls Band first achieved a measure of national acclaim. Fitzgerald also organized the LeGrande Concert Orchestra in 1900 as an extension of the band. This was a seven-piece orchestra that played primarily for formal parties and dances.

    The Cedar Falls Band underwent several changes during Fitzgerald's tenure. In 1898, the Ancient Order of United Workmen could no longer afford to sponsor the band. It was then reorganized as the Fitzgerald Concert Band and was financed through concerts and private donations. In 1900 it became apparent that the band needed a broader financial base. The members of the Cedar Falls Commercial Club agreed to help. One of the first changes they made was to rename the group the Cedar Falls Band. Fitzgerald also instituted strict bylaws for the band. Les Hughes, the band's manager from 1905-1940, recalled having to tell members they could not play in a concert if they arrived without black shoes. Members were also required to attend rehearsals or they could not play.

    Fitzgerald started the "junior band," a beginners' ensemble that prepared young men to enter the senior organization. This pioneer training program gained national recognition. The band usually had fifty to seventy members at a time. Members of the junior band were up to twenty-five years old. Each year there were usually five to eight members who graduated to the senior band, a feat which was considered a privilege and an accomplishment. Since members of the band were not paid, it was clearly the honor of membership and other factors that attracted young musicians to the organization. The opportunity to visit other parts of the nation was exciting to some members. In the early twentieth century people did not travel as much as today, so a chance to see the country was highly valued. Many band members took their first train trip and ate at nice restaurants while they were on the road with the band. Some, at least, saw their role as musician as an opportunity to add an element of adventure to their rather ordinary lives.