Rowdy Brass Band & Mesa Brass Band

Other details include:

• $1600-$2000 scholarship for each member - RBB (athletic band) scholarships can be combined with music major/minor (applied studio) scholarships, and the amount is dependent on membership experience/level and instrument needs. RBB scholarships replace other athletic band awards if applicable, and increase with subsequent years of participation and positive membership. Scholarships are also available for MBB members. 
• Elite, one-on-a-part chamber ensemble modeled after groups like Disney’s “All-American Band"
• Members must fully commit and are treated as professional musicians, including the possibility of scholarships being reduced, or being 'cut' and/or replaced when not in attendance at all required events or meeting performance responsibilities.  As such, students who choose to maintain an extensive or non-flexible part-time job schedule may not be able to participate in the Rowdy Brass Band or Mesa Brass Band.
• Rowdy Brass Band and Mesa Brass Band members are required to participate in Maverick Stampede, CMU's marching band, during the fall term of their membership.  If the fall marching band music is not arranged for non-traditional marching band instruments (guitar, electric bass, synth/piano, or others as director designates), a semester-long recruitment project will be required in lieu of this required marching band participation and/or their scholarship may be reduced.  
• Instrumentation: Saxophones (alto, tenor, bari), Trumpets, Mellophones, Low Brass (trombone, baritone, sousaphone), Keyboard, Percussion.  Alternates for each instrument may also be chosen. Exact instrumentation, including potential inclusion of electronic instruments (guitar, bass guitar, keyboard, etc.), are dependent on audition and personnel (new CMU students and non-music majors are encouraged to apply).
• Students in both ensembles must register in the fall and spring terms for the "Rowdy Brass Band" course, MUSP 143/243/343/443 (1 credit each term). A zero credit option (MUSP 143z) is also available for those registered in at least one other credited ensemble.
• Rehearses weekly in fall & spring (Tuesdays, Thursdays 11:00am-12:15pm)
• Performance venues: campus events, downtown businesses, special requests, recruitment visits/tours, sporting events, special paid travel, etc.

Rowdy Brass Band - 2025-2026 Edition

1. Saxophone - Garrett O'Connor 
2. Saxophone - Zachary DuBose 
3. Saxophone - Tommy Masciullo 
4. Trumpet - Nicholas MacLennan
5. Trumpet - Albert Booth
6. Trumpet - Alicia Esperaza
7. Trombone - Justin Balderson 
8. Trombone - Max Warren 
9. Bass Trombone - Jacob Brown 
10. Sousaphone - Martin Faut 
11. Keyboard - Open
12. Percussion - Ian Prieto 
13. Media & Logistics Manager - Ashleigh Messall 
14. PA/Sound Tech - Grace Goodland

Mesa Brass Band - 2025-2026 Edition

1. Alto Sax - Sophia Langlotz
2. Tenor Sax - Riley Casey 
3. Alto/Bari Sax - Dylan Palma
4. Trumpet - Josue Fuentes
5. Trumpet - Grace Goodland 
6. Trumpet - John Tafoya 
7. Trumpet - Eric Shealer
8. Trombone - Connor Reed 
9. Trombone - Zander Grant
10. Trombone- Troy Spedilari
11. Bass Trombone - Micah Andasola
12. Sousaphone - Dom Olmos
13. Keyboard- Adam Gregerson
14. Percussion - Liam Warren

RBB & MBB auditions take place via YouTube link submissions that are due to Dr. Hinkle on or before April 1 (shortly after Spring Break) each spring.  All potential members must audition or re-audition each Spring.  Current members are not guaranteed a future spot, and must play assigned parts of audition music (below) by memory.  Playing by memory is encouraged for potential future members, but not required.  Auditionees should choose a part that best fits their ability level and desired part placement.  High level video production and quality in not necessary, however, any demonstration of music performed by memory (if applicable) must be obvious to viewer (ie. use a wide camera angle).   Instrumentation in the RBB or MBB is not set from past ensembles, but rather dependent on the high musical standards and commitment of auditionees each year.  Do you want to consider being in the RBB or MBB, but play a different instrument than what you've seen in this group in the past?  Communicate with Dr. Hinkle ASAP.

Sample Audition Videos - Matthew Bohling (mellophone) & Trystan Berg (percussion)

Audition Video Sections (Introduction and Music Performance):

1. Introduction - Start your video by introducing yourself; your name, where you are from, the high school you attend(ed), your desired instrument placement in RBB or MBB, and what degree you will be working towards at CMU.  Then, tell us something about yourself - a unique skill, why you want to be in the RBB, or something fun.  Speak loud, clearly, and with energy...as an RBB or MBB performer would on stage!
2. Music Performance -
   • Winds/Keyboard/Guitar/Bass - If you don't' see a part for your instrument (i.e. no guitar, keyboard or e-bass for Hot Time, no Mellophone or guitar for Grape Lemonade), then create a part that fits your instrument, performance ability, and appropriate range, while still maintains the written key.  In other words, transpose or adjust to fit your instrument as needed. 
     1. "Hot Time" - Perform 1st 15 measures only with audible metronome ate 160 BPM (half note), fast and light marching tempo with sharp articulations. 
     2. "Grape Lemonade" - Of the part you choose to play, perform all measures where you play with an audible metronome at 112 BPM.
     3. Something else - You choose!  Ex: 1) Improvisation to a recorded background or 'jam' track, or 2) your favorite transcription of a solo by a professional artist, or 3) something you can do on your instrument that you think 'stands-out' or set you apart from other auditionees (i.e range or extended technique). 
   • Drummers - Using a simple drum set, demonstrate the following beats/rhythms, while also trading phrases (2 or 4 bars) of "time" and "soloing" with yourself in each of the below styles.  Playing with a loud metronome in background is highly preferred.
     
     1. 2 Beat "New Orleans Groove,” AKA a "2nd line" groove (think “Atchafalaya” (starting at ~9:47) or "When the Saints”)
     2. Medium rock
     3. 12/8 Rock/Funk
     4. 2 Beat Fast March to the "Hot Time” form
     5. Medium Latin (Bossa or Samba)
     6. A groove of your choice - what groove you are best at (can be similar or different to above)?

Submit your Video (1 video only, ok to splice together sections if desired or send as one continuous video) to Dr. Hinkle ([email protected]) via a YouTube link (make sure it's working first) on or before April 1.  If you have questions, communicate with a current RBB or MBB member (preferred, see above) or directly with Dr. Hinkle if needed.

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