Congratulations to the Hawkeye Marching Band on completing a fantastic year! Their performances on the field blew me away this year, both musically and visually, and their achievements recognized at the awards banquet were awe-inspiring.  It was certainly an honor to be with them that evening and hear some of their stories. 

To the current members of the HMB: Many of you will enter careers like teaching or performing music, or like engineering, business or other professions.  Our Brick Street Jazz Band greatly enjoyed performing for you at your awards banquet! We are a cell biologist, software entrepreneur, health informaticist, engineering professor, businessman, dentist, physician, and yes – a professional musician.  Regardless of the work that you choose, I hope that each of you continues to share your gift of music.  Play in church or in a community band.  Play music with your children or with folks in a retirement home.  By all means, play each year with the Alumni Marching Band!  It will be your ticket back onto the field of Kinnick stadium where you can once again be celebrated by 70,000 adoring fans!  Be sure to join and continue to support the legacy you helped create.

To our devoted Alumni: I hope that you take advantage of the mentoring program and other events organized by our Alumni Band Leadership Board.  We lead the homecoming parade, pep bands for occasional basketball games and the NCAA Wrestling Tournament.  We have purchased a Sudler trophy which was earned by the HMB 30 years ago.  Our purpose continues, to “assist in the lifelong relationship between the university, HMB and band alumni.” 

Through this year, please share ideas about how we can support the HMB.  Again, it’s an honor to be a part of your organization.

Kirk Philips
President, The Hawkeye Marching Band Alumni Advisory Board