New Instructor Looks to Grow BSC Pep Band
Bismarck State College welcomes new Assistant Teaching Professor of Music and pep band director Dr. Dylan Mashburn. He hopes to expand the group and make it a major part of campus life.
Mashburn is originally from the small town of Lester, Alabama, and moved to Bismarck, N.D. in early August. Before moving to North Dakota, he attended the University of North Alabama in Florence and later earned a doctorate from the University of Memphis in Memphis, Tennessee.
Mashburn began playing trombone in 2011 as a member of a beginner band. Since then, he has performed on several instruments, participated in all-state ensembles, and marched in both high school and college bands. While attending the University of North Alabama, Mashburn played in the Pride of Dixie Marching Band, which is also known as the Marching Pride.
Mashburn has a master’s degree in music education and has experience playing bass in jazz ensembles. He also performed with a New Orleans-style brass band called Kicks and Licks. What began as a side project eventually became the focus of Mashburn’s doctoral dissertation in trombone performance. The group performed in a variety of venues, including cruise ships.
Mashburn said the opportunity at BSC appealed to him because of the pep band’s potential. The group began last fall and currently has five students in the program.
“It feels like it sort of went through a tough time here recently,” Mashburn said. “It sort of went dormant, so I saw this as an opportunity to pick it back up and make something out of this.”
Mashburn hopes to bring a different band culture to campus while building on the traditions already present in the area. The pep band is scheduled to perform at volleyball games and men’s and women’s basketball games. In the future, Mashburn said he hopes the group will eventually be able to perform the national anthem at baseball games, attend recruiting events, and visit local high schools.
Students do not need previous musical experience to join. In fact, the band is open to all BSC students, including those interested in learning a new instrument. Furthermore, private lessons will be available at no cost.
Students who qualify may also receive a tuition waiver. Because pep band is offered as a class, students must register for it. The class is worth one credit and meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 4:50 p.m.
The deadline to receive the tuition waiver has been extended to Sept. 11. Students interested in joining can contact their academic adviser or speak directly with Dylan Mashburn.
For the new instructor, the main goal for the school year is growth.
“We’re really trying to get numbers,” Mashburn said. “You have to start with quantity before we can really dig into the quality.”
The pep band offers ways for connection.
“People are looking for ways to get off the screen and connect with others,” Mashburn said. “This is the perfect opportunity.”
As the pep band begins its second year, Mashburn is inviting students from every level of musical experience to participate.
“Come one, come all,” Mashburn said.
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