On Saturday, January 21, 2017, at the annual UCMB Banquet, former President Stephanie Miranda inducted one returning and eight newly elected 2017 band officers. Congratulations and welcome, 2017 Officer Board! With a full year ahead of them, the officers are excited to take on projects and challenges that await them. We asked the O-Board to answer some questions so we could get to know them as our officers a little better, and here is what they had to say:

Q: Why do you think your position is important to the band?
A: I think my position is important because it helps to bridge the gap between the business operations of the band and the student aspect. My position is one that works very closely with the logistical side of the band while also being visible to all members of the UCMB as well as the university, so it’s a really unique situation to be in!
Q: What is your favorite UCMB memory so far?
A: Definitely the Battle of the Bands in St. Pete! It was really cool to be able to interact with another college marching band on such a friendly level, while being able to represent UConn in Florida with my band family!

Brett Rasile- Vice President

Q: What do you think will be your biggest challenge coming into this position?
A: I think my biggest challenge coming into the position of Vice President will be finding a path to take in terms of improving and revising the Constitution. There are many great ideas on the table, but in the end I must make the decision as to which revisions are most beneficial for the band and the band council.
Q: What is your favorite UCMB memory so far?
A: My favorite memory during my time with the UCMB has got to be the St. Petersburg trip. My section held a Secret Santa and it was so nice to see how thoughtful all of the gifts were, and how happy every single member was to receive their gift. I truly felt like a part of a family at that moment, and because of St. Petersburg my bond with the whole band has skyrocketed. TUP!

Brett Simms- Historian

Q: What experiences have you had that made you want this position?
A: I have always been interested in history. History in general, but specifically history of the marching arts. I am very interested in how drum corps got their starts and what they had to do to get as popular as they are currently. During preseason, when the freshmen got to learn about the history of the UCMB, I was fascinated with how the band started out so small and grew to the size that it is today.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in your upcoming term?
A: I’m looking forward to informing others about the incredible history that this band has, telling the freshmen next year some information about the band, and getting to plan another fantastic history day during the 2017 season.

Sammi Swistak- Secretary

Q: What are you most looking forward to in your upcoming term?
A: In my upcoming term as UCMB Council secretary I’m really looking forward to becoming part of the behind the scenes work with the officer board on upcoming projects and events, making sure they run smoothly. I’m also super excited to utilize my voice as secretary to send personal UCMB thank you and postcards to the extraordinary people who work with and help our band!
Q: What is your favorite UCMB memory so far?
A: Singing the Alma Mater for the first time- full band, in 102- everyone had just (re-)learned their parts. We were reminded to sing with genuinity, with intention of our pride in our university and our band. I remember it as the moment I knew I’d joined something truly spectacular. Rather than the band splitting up as section, part, or friend group, we are sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses- all important. We bow our heads together, and shake our best friends’ shoulders for friendships that ever remain. It’s unifying. I love the Alma Mater, and the whole band was extra aware of their musicality and intention that rehearsal. I felt the strength of 300+ voices for the first time that day… so it was a really great moment for me.

Kayla Little- Treasurer

Q: What are you most looking forward to in your upcoming term?
A: What I am looking forward to most is seeing and hearing about all the events that the band does that most people don't know about. Also excited to be even more involved in helping out with all of said events.
Q: What is your favorite UCMB memory so far?
A: My favorite UCMB memory would be the first time of many that Susanna, my now best friend because of band, ended up on the Jumbotron at a football game. It's a good memory that always makes me think back to all the other good memories I've had with the band so far.
 

Megan Ennis- Communications Coordinator

Q: What are you most looking forward to in your upcoming term?

A: Sending emails of course!! Hahaha as fun as emails are I am totally kidding. I am most looking forward to heading the newsletter and seeing what type of new modern direction it will take. The newsletter is a pivotal piece to our UCMB culture, and I believe strengthening it with more writers and fun articles will keep it well read throughout the band and alumni.

Q: What is your favorite UCMB memory so far?

A: Preseason. Plain and Simple. Every year it's the best week because everyone is coming back to campus, the hype for the new season and school year is high, people are super positive and happy (and tan), it's my birthday, you get to meet some really awesome new members and you feel so active.

Emilyn Tuomala- Alumni Liaison

Q: What experiences have you had that made you want this position?
A: History Day and the Homecoming game were the two reasons I decided to run again for the role of alumni liaison for this coming year. Watching Christine and I's brainchild come to life and to see how dedicated the freshman reps were, as well as so many people showing up, made me feel like I had actually accomplished something. Also, meeting so many new and enthusiastic past members at the Homecoming game made the band feel a little smaller, especially as they shared their memories with me.
Q: What is your favorite UCMB memory so far?
A: My favorite memory was definitely being in the front of the BOWIE during the big push in the closer. I definitely should have used better breath support but the times I was taking huge breaths allowed to me to really listen to everyone playing. I always love power in music, whether it's the reverberations in a low note or just an incredible amount of volume, which we had. I wish I was able to be on the receiving end at least once and witness the sheer sound we created.

Maddie Geerlof- Social Coordinator

Q: What do you think will be your biggest challenge coming into this position?
A: Planning and preparing for Homecoming will definitely be my biggest challenge as Social Coordinator. From my own experiences and involvement with homecoming over the past few years, I have witness how much work goes into both the tradition of homecoming as well as the competition.
Q: Why do you think your position is important to the band?
A: When you are a part of an organization as large as the UCMB it is very difficult to know every single person within the group. My role as  Social Coordinator is important to the UCMB because I am able to help members of the band get to know each other in an aggregate of ways which promotes the welcoming atmosphere of our band.

Sydney Fogarty- Merchandise Coordinator

Q: What do you think will be your biggest challenge coming into this position?
A: I think my biggest challenge is going to be to fill Emily's shoes. She left me with sliver of her legacy in the UCMB and I am excited to get going. Emily has really helped me so much and wants me to succeed, which makes all of this a lot easier.
Q: What is your favorite UCMB memory so far?
A: My favorite UCMB memory so far is how lovely and caring my section is. They are such a caring group of people and such a fantastic support system. I am so lucky to call the mellophone section my family. #H4L

Banquet Recap
By Megan Ennis

January 21st, 2017: The Greatest Day of the Year…Banquet! Or if you're a goober like me you call it "Bandquet" (I know it's cheesy but I just couldn't resist). The night of Banquet consists of lots of music (obviously), photos (no surprise here), food and sentimental speeches/media presentations. Members began entering the Rome Ballroom doors around 5 pm to start off the social hour of the night. As everyone arrived, you were greeted by the Sophomore Reps* and given your coordinating table place card. The beginning of banquet also included members of the Brass Band playing lots of upbeat entertaining charts. The social hour felt like a giant family reunion, everyone was so happy and excited to see each other. Friends updated each other after a long winter break, sections hugged, and Seniors reminisced on the season.

As the presentation and speech portion of the night began, everyone was settled in their seats surrounding by friends with smiles on their faces. Of course the highlight of the night was when Dr. Mills took a more unconventional approach to his annual speech and individually named every person in the UCMB to thank them for a wonderful season. This was a wonderful way for the members to really feel apart of the band and important, even if there was 10 other people with the same name as yours (I'm looking at all the Emilys). 

The evening closed out with, of course, some dancing! The music ranged from current Pop Hits to throwback childhood classics like the Cotton Eyed Joe.  The dance floor allowed for everyone to mix up sections and age groups and just enjoy themselves. No matter what you did in the band or what you major is, you could bust out a dance move to your favorite toon.

Although Banquet symbolizes the end of the UCMB 2016 season, it also symbolizes the love we have for one another and music. I thank everyone for making Banquet 2017 so memorable and enjoyable. Special shout out to Owen Logios, Brett Rasile, Joe Ludemann and Amberly Lao for planning and executing it extremely well! And I can't wait to see what the next Banquet has in store for us, perhaps a reappearance of Courtney in the shark costume?