Mt. SAC always had a music program that helped students explore their abilities and find a career doing what they love. A new marching band program has been opened on campus this fall.
Walter Simonson, who has extensive experience in music, including a decade spent as assistant director of the USC Trojan Marching Band, is the director of the new program.
“It’s a great opportunity to start something brand new from scratch,” Simonson said. “We didn’t have to change anything. we got to design it as we wanted to from day one”
Currently, the marching band boasts a membership of around 70 students but Simonson has ambitions to grow the program. “The goal is to have 200 members in a few years,” he said, acknowledging that building the band will be a challenge.
Nevertheless, he believes the program has the potential to be a bigger part of campus culture. Mt. SAC’s marching band has already been seen at football games playing throughout the game as well as halftime.
Students in the band already feel as though they are building a strong relationship with their fellow members, as well as talking about how good the program has been to them so far.
“Honestly, I am very enthusiastic for the program,” said Jorge Gomez, a first-year music major involved in the marching band program. “[…] it’s really nice and it’s a really great experience to be a part of.”
Jade Thiel-Maiz, another first-year student and radio broadcasting major, shared her experience with the program so far.
“Music brings people together, and honestly, if you join, those [people] are going to be your lifelong friends no matter what,” Thiel-Maiz said.
Marching band and wind ensemble perform at football games and have plans to expand into other performances when the opportunity arises.
Students interested in joining apply via a Google form posted on their website all students are welcome to apply and encouraged to take music classes as well.
As the band plays its way into Mt. SAC’s history, Simonson’s vision is clear: a marching band that’s not only about music but about creating memories and traditions that last for generations.
