This year the music department is making some additions that will bring a little extra pep to football games. Under the direction of Dr. Jonathan Hinkle, CMU will have its first marching band.

Hinkle was a high school band director for over five years in Florida and also has professional experience as a member of the World Renown Marching Chiefs.

“Dr. Hinkle is definitely the top choice to be our marching band director,” senior music major Nick Brenholtz said. “He tells us new ideas that he wants to bring to the student body and how to bring that pride into being a CMU Maverick.”

Hinkle explained that he chose CMU specifically for its emergent, yet well established, program.

“In the state of our economy, (it’s) not very common, especially for music programs, to be growing,” Hinkle said. “A lot of them are just trying to hang on. I like that this is a teaching institute.”

Hinkle believes that even though state funding to higher education has been cut, it’s important to invest in music. A good music program means more students.

“Colorado Mesa University is trying to be competitive in the market of attracting students to a university and a university community,” Hinkle said. “Some of that attraction includes their athletic programs, what’s available to students and school spirit. A marching band can be really a centralized part of all of that. There have been a lot of start-up costs with a marching band. it will pay off and it will pay off quickly.”

Despite low numbers initially, Hinkle is excited for the marching band, and praises the skill of the music department. The band has already had two rehearsals and will debut on Saturday, Sept. 15, at the football game against Chadron State College.

“It takes a band a while to sound good, but I’ve been really surprised by how good we sound already,” Hinkle said. “Some of that is because we have an exceptional level of talent with music majors, but also the people that are joining us that are non-majors are pretty skilled.”

Anyone interested in joining the marching band can contact Hinkle at jhinkle@coloradomesa.edu or call his office at 970-248-1325.

armartinez2@mavs.coloradomesa.edu