Alumni Spotlight: Bob Tanguay
By Sam Morales

1. Tell me about you! What are you interests, where are you from, and why did you originally decide to be a part of the UCMB?
I’ve been retired from the business world since 2002.  My business career included 22 years at Aetna Life in Hartford, 20 years as an employee benefits consultant in Florida and running my own insurance agency for 10 years.  I’ve always had music as a sideline throughout my business career and now that I am retired, it’s my only occupation.  I’ve been doing a hundred or so gigs a year, including dance bands, Dixieland jazz, blues and a handful of classical performances. 

I’m originally from Hartford, played with the Bulkeley HS marching band, the Willimantic City band, the Insurance City concert band and the 43^rd Division military band. My freshman and sophomore years were at the Hartford UConn branch and the UCMB wasn’t available to me.  When I returned from military service in Europe (including playing with the 18^th Field Artillery Group band) I resumed my education on campus. it was a natural to join the UCMB.  Even then, it was a first-class organization.

2. How has the UCMB changed over time, and how has it impacted YOUR life?
The UCMB is now playing music and marching at a level we only dreamed about in 1956. I still have friends from my UCMB years with whom I communicate on a regular basis, most of whom were music majors. 

3. What is your favorite UCMB memory?
After classes in boring economics and cost accounting, I liked being able to go to “The Plant” at the corner of North Eagleville Road (next to the church) and being with musicians who spoke my language. 

4. What are your goals for the UCMB? What is something you hope to still see years from now in the UCMB?
I’ve been out of touch with the UCMB for a number of years and really can’t answer this one.

Alumni Spotlight: Mallory Legman

By Dan Fasciano

1. Tell me about you! What are you interests, where are you from, and why did you originally decide to be a part of the UCMB?
My name is Mallory Legman, and I'm from Wallingford, CT. Whether I'm taking piano lessons, attending a Zumba class, or cheering on my Huskies at a sporting event, many of my interests are connected in some way to my passion for music and the UConn Marching Band.
I majored in music education and almost didn't join the UCMB. Unlike some students who choose to participate in college marching band as a way to continue to play music after high school, I knew I would still be involved with band in college because of my major. I remember talking to my high school band director, Dave Giardina, and showing him the preseason schedule, and he encouraged me to join. Once I started, I was hooked!
 
2. How has the UCMB changed over time, and how has it impacted YOUR life?
The UCMB has grown in quantity of members and quality of performance. I am always impressed with how the band looks and sounds, and I look forward to whatever new and exciting thing they are going to do next.
I can't imagine what my life would be like had I never joined the UCMB. My experiences in the band have affected me on a professional and personal level. I'm currently completing my first year as the band director at Branford High School, and my students had very limited marching experience before I came along. I feel confident in my ability to build a strong high school marching band program because I learned so much through my band leadership experience at UConn. I also made connections with people who are proving to be invaluable resources. Just last week, I called Marvin for some advice, and this spring, four of my UCMB comrades volunteered their time to give my students a crash course in marching before the Memorial Day Parade. Most of my friends are alumni band members or are people I met through band friends. 
 
3. What is your favorite UCMB memory?
It’s so hard to choose one favorite UCMB memory. I had the opportunity to travel to bowl games, which was very special, but I also loved the day-to-day adventures. Dressing up for Halloween and other spirit days was really fun, and I enjoyed when one of my fellow band members posed as Dr. Mills for cross-dress day.
I think my favorite memory of all is a particular event that took place during preseason. During my time in the band, we had an annual square dance or “hoedown” as the Wednesday night event. A square dance caller would come to the Armory and teach us the dances. It was a great way to meet new people and such a fun activity for band kids. 
 
4. What are your goals for the UCMB? What is something you hope to still see years from now in the UCMB?
My goal is for the UCMB to continue to achieve musical excellence and perform at a high level and for band members to continue to represent the university positively on a national scale.
Singing the Alma Mater together in beautiful harmony is something I find very special. I enjoyed doing this as a band member, and I still love it as an alumni. I hope that 50 years from now when I come to a UCMB event, the performance still ends with the singing of the Alma Mater.

• The man who was in charge of the breakfast scene was a law professor who graduated from Oxford and Harvard and now teaches Maritime Law at Tulane.
• We went to a Second Line Parade the Sunday we were there. They shut down the streets for it, and it is basically a moving block party with massive tailgates.
• The New Orleans public school system post-Katrina is no longer separated by districts. It is a giant charter system and if you live anywhere in the New Orleans parish, you can go to any of the public charter schools. Many of them have specialties, such as the arts or STEM.
• Fun facts about McDonogh City Park Academy, the school we painted murals for:
  • Built in 1923
  • 98% African American
  • 99% free/reduced lunch
  • One of 18 schools across the country part of the arts initiative. Trombone Shorty is their person.
  • They have to recruit because you can go to any school in the county; funding and budgeting is based off of the success of enrollment.
  • The Principal of the school is from Orlando, FL. He is Principal of 5th-8th grade.
  • One hour of band every day for every grade.
  • 75 kids in the band; their big project is Mardi Gras.
  • Students come in 1.5-2 years behind in reading level.
  • It is a public school; free to attend and free bussing.