Finally, in September 1928, it was announced that "all football engagements will be handled by 100 men, thus sparing the concert men from jamming their lips on the football field and allowing them to settle down into the concert mood directly at the start of the school year." The Band Department had finally reached the structure Morphy had sought. The Concert Band and the Second Band were separate organizations and although the Second Band was primarily a training school for the Concert Band, it began to have its own identity and objectives. This was the beginning of the Band Department structure that was to continue to the present.

Throughout his tenure, Morphy added many new or revitalized ideas. He established a series of awards for band members and redesigned a band key which was to be earned by band members. He also resurrected the Echo, a band yearbook originally published in 1920 but almost immediately discontinued, and had as its aim "To seek every alumnus, and let them know what we are doing now up here at Wisconsin." The Echo was published on and off until the mid-1950's when it was again discontinued. Now the Echo is the name given to the University of Wisconsin Band Alumni Association (UWBAA) newsletter.

In the 1930's, the Second Band was becoming more active with Athletic Department events and had the honor of performing at the dedication of the newly constructed Field House. Both the Concert and Second Bands were also performing more and more broadcasts on WHA.

The Morphy Period ended in 1935 with the death of Edson W. Murphy. He left behind a legacy which would be difficult to follow ... but along came Raymond Francis Dvorak ...