University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA): Each year hundreds of marching Hawkeyes return to campus to perform, preserve traditions, and cheer for our current student band members and athletes. 2019 marks a new era for the Alumni Hawkeye Marching Band.
After almost four decades of service to the Hawkeye Marching Band, Johnny Gilbert has decided to step down as music director of the Alumni Band. His enthusiasm and dedication have lead the way for HMB alumni to come home and march downfield each year. Johnny’s presence has been a valuable part of the Homecoming experience for so many, and the HMB community appreciates his contributions throughout the years. We wish him the best in his retirement!
This past June, some of our most dedicated volunteers gathered to launch the inaugural Alumni Hawkeye Marching Band Leadership board:
Kirk Phillips (Trumpet, '74 BA, '77 MSW, '02 MS, '05 PhD), President
Arlene Houk (Piccolo, '84 BBA), Vice President
Joan Hippen (Clarinet, '94 BA, '11 MA), Secretary
Tim Clay (Alto Saxophone, '13 BA), Musical Co-Director for Pep Bands
Jeff Sebille (Drum Major, '90 BS), Homecoming Chair and Musical Co-Director for Homecoming
Jim Berg (Mellophone, '87 BA)
John Brown (Trombone, '90 BA, '08 MPA)
Whittney Seckar-Anderson (Golden Girl, '17 BA)
The Board has been formed with the goal of enhancing the lifelong relationship between the university and Hawkeye Marching Band alumni. The group began their day meeting with Jenn Brummond (Director of Campus and Volunteer Engagement), Eric Bush (Associate Director of Bands, Director of the Hawkeye Marching Band), Mark Heidel (Professor, Director of Bands), and Charlie Taylor (Associate Athletics Director, Strategic Communications and Marketing).
After hearing campus updates the group began brainstorming opportunities for future alumni engagement. In true Hawkeye Marching Band fashion – abundant enthusiasm and creativity quickly produced a lengthy list of ideas and opportunities.
I’m honored to join this Board of Directors, created by Dr. Bush and the UI Center for Advancement leadership. This is an opportunity for all alumni members to have a stronger voice in the direction that our alumni band takes over the next several years. We will work closely with staff to organize traditional events around homecoming and create new activities throughout the year. Please write to us with your thoughts. We look forward to an exciting year which engages all members of our Alumni Band.
- Kirk Phillips (Trumpet, '74 BA, '77 MSW, '02 MS, '05 PhD), President
The board identified ten initial priorities:
- enhance the current Hawkeye Marching Band experience – making Alumni Band integral to HMB success
- establish regular communication with Band Alumni
- evaluate existing programming and develop year-round programming
- facilitate relationships with fellow band alumni
- create mentorship opportunities among students & colleagues
- provide performance opportunities
- preserve, develop, communicate, and document traditions
- bridge experience from student to alumni
- serve as positive advocates for the Hawkeye Marching Band and the University of Iowa
- explore opportunities for Alumni Band branding
The board welcomes your critique of these priorities. Please send comments to kirk-phillips@uiowa.edu.
The Hawkeye Marching Band was the best part of my college experience that led to many lifelong friendships, and is also a family affair as my husband and son are HMB alumni. Each year, I look forward to renewing friendships at homecoming and throughout the year, and meeting alumni who were in HMB at different times. I’m very excited about the opportunity to further strengthen the Alumni Band experience and build relationships between alumni and HMB. I look forward to talking with many of you about what parts of the Alumni Band experience are important to you. Go Hawks!
-Arlene Houk (Piccolo, BBA '84), Vice President
In the coming year please watch for more regular communication, opportunities to offer input, and new opportunities to connect with the Alumni Hawkeye Marching Band. You can also visit the Alumni Band website: https://www.foriowa.org/groups/alumni-band.php