Charles M Russell High School opened in the fall of 1965 with James D. Miller as its first band director. Dennis Granlie succeeded Mr. Miller in 1979 and remained there until 1994 when he became the Music Supervisor for the Great Falls Public Schools. Dr. David Booth served as the interim band director for the 1994-95 school year before Kyle Prescott was hired to take over in the fall of 1995. Mr. Prescott left to pursue his graduate degree and was replaced by Mr. Russ Kellogg in the fall of 2001.

The Symphonic Band at CMR has received many awards over the years, including performing for NorthWest Music Educators' National Conventions in 1983, 1993, 1995, and 1999, and selection as the outstanding performance at the NW Band Festival at the University of Washington in 1992.

The Marching band was invited to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade in 1968 and the school jazz ensemble performed at NW MENC in 1997.