In tune with their talents

IT students make up a third of the U's 286-member marching band. Meet five of the best and brightest.

by Andrew Tellijohn

Anyone who has ever attended a University pep rally, parade, or sporting event has experienced the rush of excitement that accompanies a performance by the Minnesota Marching Band.

For thousands of University students and alumni, the band embodies Ski-U-Mah spirit. Its booming brass, thundering drums, and high-stepping style create a hand-clapping, toe-tapping spectacle that invigorates even the most phlegmatic crowds.

The band's performances are a dazzling blend of musical exuberance and mathematical precision. Its members reflect a similar mix.

Amid the ensemble's music majors and liberal arts students are a surprising number of aspiring scientists and engineers, says Marching Band director Jerry Luckhardt. Nearly a third of the band's 286 members are enrolled in the Institute of Technology.

"Some of our finest students have come from IT,” says Luckhardt. “We're lucky to have a great relationship with the college."

And although music and science seem far removed from one another, the two disciplines share certain fundamentals, says Peter Hudleston, IT's associate dean for student affairs. “There is an underlying mathematical basis [to music] that probably comes quite easily to some IT students,” he says.

Moreover, musical performance can provide a refreshing counterpoint to the academic rigors of the science and engineering curriculum, adds Hudleston.

But joining the Marching Band entails its own rigors.

Band members report to campus for Spat Camp right after Labor Day, where day-long practices begin at 8:30 a.m. Once fall quarter begins, band members continue polishing their routines with two-hour daily practices. By the end of its three-month season, the band will have performed at the Metrodome and on the road more than a dozen times.

But as is the case with many activities, the dedication leads to camaraderie, and hard work draws band members closer together.

"Their time-management skills are amazing,” says Luckhardt. “Somehow they're able to do it all—and do it all very well."

On the following pages, we introduce five of the 75 IT students who don uniforms, spats, and feather-topped hats to entertain thousands of Golden Gopher fans across Minnesota. Their accomplishments are as remarkable as their spirit.

Brian Zumwalde: clarinet

Aware of collegiate stereotypes, senior Brian Zumwalde approaches his double major—computer science and music performance—with a sense of humor. “I could say I'm only half IT geek,” he jokes. “But I'm also in the band, so I'm pretty much a complete geek all around."

However, Zumwalde is serious about his pursuits and says he hopes to make a career of one field and a lifelong hobby of the other.

Music is his passion. He began playing clarinet in the fourth grade and continued throughout his years at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.

"It's a lifelong thing for me,” he says. “I don't think I'll ever stop."

Although Zumwalde doesn't consider himself talented enough to make a living as a musician, Luckhardt isn't so sure. People with Zumwalde's work ethic often surprise even themselves, he says.

"If I could offer full scholarships, he would get one of them,” Luckhardt says. “He's a guy who's firing on all cylinders."

This year Zumwalde was named conductor of the Fanfare Band, a small ensemble that breaks from the full band to perform in front of the Metrodome stands during football games. “He's not only a great influence and a great leader, he's a fantastic musician,” Luckhardt says. “It's a privilege to teach him, not a responsibility."

Zumwalde says that hard work is the secret to his success. “I don't know if I'm all that talented,” he says, “but I am determined."

That determination earned him a place in the band and helps him maintain a 3.86 grade point average. It also helps him cope with the challenges of pursuing a double major.

But Zumwalde wouldn't change a thing.

"If I had to choose just one major, I think I would go crazy."

Rebecca Cherry: clarinet

Sophomore Rebecca Cherry was nearly a marching Falcon.

As a high school senior, she had narrowed her list of potential schools to two—the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. She was leaning toward River Falls but decided at the last minute to come to Minnesota because of its renowned engineering programs. It was the right decision, she says.

Although she joined “for the fun of it,” Cherry found that band membership helped ease her transition into college life.

"Marching Band makes the University a smaller place,” she says. “Through it, I have a family of 300 students."

According to Luckhardt, Cherry is among the most helpful members of that family. “When the band does outreach, Becky is always one of the first people on the list when it comes time to volunteer,” he says. “She's one of those “above and beyond” people."

Now a sophomore, Cherry helps rookie members adjust to the rigors of the University. That's a far cry from her first appearance, which she describes as “the most nerve-racking experience of my life."

"I kept thinking, 'this is real. I'm in front of the whole state of Minnesota,'” says Cherry. Today, performing on the Metrodome field is more invigorating than stressful, she says. “It's such a high."

Cherry is more down-to-earth about her academic life. Although she is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, she is still unsure of what she'll do after graduation. Fortunately, she has two more years in which to explore her options.

Until then she will continue to encourage others—especially when it comes to the Marching Band.

"If you want to challenge yourself, go for it,” she says. “You won't regret it."

Beverly Warmka: clarinet

Beverly Warmka made her decision to attend the University of Minnesota during her junior year at United South Central High School in Wells, Minnesota. But it wasn't the University's glossy recruitment materials or campus visit that clinched the decision.

Rather, Warmka's enthusiasm for the University was ignited during an exhilarating visit to the Marching Band's annual High School Band Day at the Metrodome. Watching the musicians in maroon and gold fire up the crowd, Warmka knew she wanted to be a part of the excitement.

And she has.

"It was a huge adrenaline rush,” says Warmka of her first time marching onto the Metrodome field.

And although she finds performances thrilling, Warmka considers Spat Camp—with its grueling schedule of daily practices—one of the year's highlights. The shared commitment brings band members together, she says. Building friendships makes the experience even more rewarding. “It's great doing something I like with people I've become friends with,” she says.

Luckhardt beams when discussing Warmka. Although she is now an alternate and thus doesn't perform as often as she used to, She's still a consummate team player.

"She has provided a great model for other students for how to handle adversity in life,” says Luckhardt. “She has a willingness to do whatever it takes. I really respect that."

Warmka is also committed to ensuring her success after graduation. Although she was initially undecided about her field of study, she eventually chose civil engineering and now works part-time for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. She expects to graduate in two years and hopes to enter a career in transportation.

"I'm interesting in helping people get from here to there,” she says.

Spencer Rasmussen: tuba

Decked out in Air Force ROTC fatigues, aerospace engineering senior Spencer Rasmussen points skyward toward a jet barely visible above the distant horizon. “Look at that,” he says. “That's the coolest thing in the world."

Rasmussen came to the University to pursue his lifelong fascination with flight. After graduating this spring, he'll begin a year of pilot training and an eight-year stint with the air force. He isn't sure if he'll make a career of the military, but he knows he wants to fly.

"I've always wanted to be a pilot,” says Rasmussen. “The air force was just the right calling."

After four years as an ROTC officer, Rasmussen is filling his final year at the University with more musical pursuits. In addition to playing the tuba, he serves as one of the Marching Band's property managers, ensuring that equipment is safely transported to events. He's also president of Kappa Kappa Psi, an honorary music fraternity.

Those commitments keep him busy, but Rasmussen has no regrets. “My social time is basically my band time,” he says. “But It's fun. If it were all work and no fun, there wouldn't be anyone in the band."

"Spencer is a role model for others,” says Luckhardt. This year he named Rasmussen a rank lieutenant, a leadership position that encompasses more than 50 responsibilities.

"If I could have 300 Spencer Rasmussens I would,” says Luckhardt. “He does an outstanding job, and he is a real quality person."

Rasmussen says he is only doing his part.

"When I was in my first year and needed help, a lot of upperclassmen took the time to help me out. So as long as anyone is willing to work hard and put the time in, I won't turn them away."

Christopher Wyman: trumpet

Christopher Wyman was born to march in maroon and gold. It's his heritage.

Wyman's parents are Minnesota Marching Band alumni who fostered his enthusiasm for the program by taking him as a child to see the band perform.

But Wyman's tenure with the Marching Band will be brief. This spring, with the aid of two years in the postsecondary options program, he will graduate with a double major in computer science and mathematics —only three years after earning his high school diploma.

"Chris is one of those role models who is always doing the right thing at the right time in the right way,” Luckhardt says. “When you're around him, you do better just to try to keep up."

Besides being a Marching Band member, Wyman is also a teaching assistant in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. He's applying to graduate schools and plans to pursue an advanced degree in computer science. He hopes to work in computer graphics or artificial intelligence, perhaps building robots or working with computer games.

Wyman, who maintains a 3.85 grade point average, says that participation in the Marching Band helps him excel as a student.

"After sitting in class all day, It's good to get outside and work off your excess energy on the field,” he says. That helps him stay focused when it comes time to study. “Besides,” he says, “It's fun."

He's also pleased to carry on the family tradition.

"Everyone in the band is proud of what we're doing,” he says. “And we're all working hard to make it even better."

For more information see www.music.umn.edu/marchingband.