Horns, leather, helmets, drums, students, grass, beer, hot dogs and the band. All of these are aspects that make or break a football game, and one that has been making more and more of an impact on the spectating of the Colorado Mesa University college football games has been the marching band.
The young band has been progressing since band director Dr. Jonathan Hinkle came to CMU, and one of his methods to managing the Maverick Stampede is to have student leaders, and one such leader is the Drum Major Gabriel Gallegos.
Gallegos is in the midst of his second year as drum major, and he has brought massive skill and energy to the role and to his fellow band members.
Being a drum major places Gallegos at the top of the totem pole as one of the band captains, only the band president and director are above him, but with the position comes many responsibilities.
Encompassing aspects varying from being a constant leader and role model to preparing scores and conducting; the title of drum major isn’t one that comes without a price. Not only are the faculty evaluating his performance, but with the role he must also provide a rock for the band and a hype man for the crowd.
“It is a little tough, knowing that there are a bunch of eyes on me at all times,” Gallegos said. “Whether that be at the football game with the student section or with the faculty of the music department.”
The added workload and expectation can be overwhelming and a daunting task to take on a band member, but if anyone could do it, Gallegos is the man.
He has received the Jim Jones Leadership Award for World Class in 2017 and is the only one that received it that year.
The award is given to one exemplary leader in the drum corps and is decided on by a committee of Hall of Famers from Drum Corps International. Receiving this prestigious award is exemplary of the effort that Gallegos puts into the band and proves his ability to lead.
When asked about the award, Gallegos prefers to promote the work and fun of being in a band rather than bragging about his award. His skill and attitude towards band is reflected in his leadership and noticed by those around him.
“He came to us from Grand Junction High School,” Hinkle said. “He was talented and was growing. He has a lot of energy and is a good conductor. It was actually hard for me to pull him off the field and take that sound away.”
The amount of experience and responsibility he brings to the table isn’t the only aspect of his leadership and it pairs well with his personality. A stereotype breaking personality embodies Gallegos as he hypes up not only the band, but also the people not within the music department.
He brings high energy that spurs action from the crowd and effort from the band. Bringing everyone together and shattering some of the preconceived notions about “band kids” has made Gallegos an exemplary leader.
“He is a goofy, silly guy,” Hinkle said. “We are taught that band geeks are dorks, that they are weak, small and weird. Gabe breaks that mold publicly. People are realizing that, ‘hey, this band nerd is actually fun.’ To change the culture, we need key players that will step out and are willing to take chances publicly and say they are part of the band. Gabe is one of them.”
Not only does he have the experience and personality to excel in the position, but he has the mind set to do it as well. Rather than a football game, to Gallegos it is a community event. Combining the music, students, food, tailgating and the football itself is what he is there for. So, when the attendance and heart at the games are at their highest, so is Gallegos.
“We are there to promote the Maverick spirit,” Gallegos said. “Open your eyes and experience the game. When I started, there wasn’t any hype. It isn’t just a football game, it is a community event where we celebrate pride in the community and our school. There is music, tailgating, hanging out with your friends, go be involved and share with your student body.”
Gallegos will be leaving CMU after this year, and the goal to experience the band at football games is what he hopes to see move beyond his stay. Building a band ran by both the director and the members has been essential to the atmosphere that Gallegos has helped to build and once he leaves, others like Noah Graf will be picking up the slack.
The energy and enthusiasm that Gallegos has brought to CMU and its growing band won’t be lost as long as the student body moves to participate and enjoy their college careers as much as Gallegos does.
