UCM Marching Mules Welcome New Director

Written by Dillon Seckington, Reporter|September 2, 2021

Photo by Dillon Seckington

Athletic band director Michael Griffith directs the musicians at practice on Aug. 24. “It’s hard to decide between the students and the colleagues. They’ve all been so wonderful. I’ve learned an incredible amount from my wonderful colleagues here so far, and I’m sure I will learn more,” Griffith said. “But really, the students have been wonderful. I can’t imagine the students being more welcoming and supportive than they have been. I guess I’ll go with the students.”

Director Michael Griffith conducts the musicians on tempo or speed of the music they are playing. “I love it so far, everyone has been incredibly helpful and hospitable and sort of helping me learn the ropes here at UCM and it’s been a great experience,” Griffith said. (Photo by Julia Peters)

With their last season being cut short because of COVID-19, the UCM Marching Mules are ready to perform again. This year is different for the Marching Mules because they are led by a new director, Michael Griffith.

  Director Griffith and the Marching Mules are ready for game day on September 2nd. Griffith said he wishes to make this season the most successful that UCM has seen.  

    “We want them [students] to see the Marching Mules as an inextricable component of the game-day experience,” Griffith said. “We hope that the Marching Mules will be a part of the college experience as well, with performances in the community, performances on campus. We want the Marching Mules to be a highly visible part of the college experience even if you’re not interested in football, even if you’re not interested in music.”

Griffith talks to his members during practice on Aug. 31. We want them to be entertained. “We want them to see the Marching Mules as an inextricable component of the game-day experience,” Griffith said. “We want the Marching Mules to be a highly visible part of the college experience even if you’re not interested in football, even if you’re not interested in music.” (Photo by Julia Peters)

The 2020 school year was full of interesting performances, some of which were even virtual. Last year’s Festival of Champions was hosted virtually for the first time ever, and students said they are looking forward to having that event in person this year.

 “The Festival of Champions, that UCM hosts, is always an exciting time,” senior Benson Perry said. “It’s good to be able to see all these other schools come in together again.” 

  Director Griffith has also been making an impact on the new students involved in marching band.

  “There’s a lot of techniques that he’s implemented that help at least me personally, and that seem to help the band as a whole,” freshman Nyx Jackson said.

  Without a doubt, this year’s Marching Mules will be interesting to watch perform. A new director, paired with an eager to perform band will make for an entertaining game-day.