The beginning of the school year brings the beginning of the performance season for the Chargers Marching Band. On August 18th and 19th hundreds of dedicated student members moved in early for a long week of band camp before the start of classes. They practiced every day, sometimes up to 13-hours, to learn the show they will perform at home football games, and traveling exhibitions throughout the semester. Their show this year, entitled “Five,” features music from the Jackson Five and Maroon Five, as well Mambo No. 5 and offers fans an upbeat, full-of-energy show.

The start of the season brings with it new beginnings for the band as they welcome Dr. Alex Casimiro as the new, full-time Assistant Band Director. This position was created this year and is the second full-time staff position within the band. Band director Jason DeGroff, as well as Dr. Casimiro, are very excited to see how this will better the band.

Casimiro says, “My goal is for the group to reflect that there is another full-time person here.”

Another full-time staff member will allow the staff to spend more time and energy writing the music and drill for the show to allow the program as a whole to get stronger in their performance. Staff and student band members alike are excited and eager to welcome Dr. Casimiro into the Marching Band family.

“I think Alex is a great addition to the staff with a tremendous marching band resume and a positive, energetic attitude,” says Drum major Will Ciccone.

Drum major Kaelyn Passeri agrees saying, “I think Alex will bring such a positive vibe to our program. His talent is raw and passion is so contagious.”

Dr. Casimiro comes into the band with an impressive resume in the marching arts. He spent eight seasons performing with drum corps, including the Targets, Spartans, Madison Scouts, and Cadets, starting from the time he was 13.

He attended college at the University of Massachusetts and joined their drumline, becoming a section leader in the spring semester of his freshman year. After getting his B.A. in Music from UMass he went to the University of Nebraska at Omaha and then to the University of Texas for a Doctorate Musical Arts Degree in Music Performance where he worked teaching their Longhorn drumline.

DeGroff is excited to see what his experience will bring to the Chargers marching band, “He will bring the percussion section to a whole new level and we have many great plans for the future of the entire ensemble.”

The band is excited to see what this season holds.

“I’m most looking forward to us creating such a master piece together,” says Passeri.

Ciccone says, “I can’t wait to go out and show everyone what this band is made of. I want to make sure everyone is smiling and having fun because this show is going to be amazing.”

“My first and foremost goal is to have fun, both myself and the members and the staff,” DeGroff says. “I have to admit showing off the band to others is what I look forward to most!”

Casimiro is thinking more into the future saying, “I’m most looking forward to building relationships with the students. I’m looking forward to year four when there is a class that I got to spend four years with and really got to know, that’s when it starts to get really exciting.”

No matter who you ask, it is clear that this season holds a brand new beginning for the band filled with excitement and hope for the future.

Come see the band for their first performance on September 17th at the first home game of the season!