Building Tradition from the Ground Up: Utah Tech’s New Band Director on Excellence and Growth
An interview with Associate Dean, Dr. Glenn Webb. Dr. Byron Ward is in his first semester of leading the marching band and Utah Tech University.
Photo credit: @sidney_alise_photography
Where are from and where were you before joining the faculty at Utah Tech?
I grew up in West Bountiful, UT, attended Bountiful High and did my undergraduate studies close to home at Weber State University. Before joining the faculty at Utah Tech I taught all the music classes at Mayville State University, a small university in North Dakota. My wife and I had moved to Fargo, North Dakota so I could pursue a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in trumpet performance at North Dakota State University. After finishing my degree, I was offered the position at Mayville, where I taught for three years.
Tell us about your trumpet background.
For my 12th birthday I was gifted a King Cornet. I continued playing cornet for about a year and a half before switching to trumpet. I have been playing trumpet ever since. I’ve always loved performing and have performed with as many groups as I’ve been able to through the years.
While at Bountiful High School I performed in the jazz band, concert band, pep band, and orchestra. In addition, I also performed with the Davis Youth Symphony on Monday evenings and Utah Youth Symphony on Saturday mornings. Bountiful High didn’t have a marching band but when a new director arrived at the neighboring Viewmont High school my senior year and started a marching band, I also joined that and would attend after school rehearsals there.
My love for playing trumpet led me to earn degrees in trumpet performance. I continued as I earned degrees in trumpet performance: a Bachelors of Music from Weber State University; a Master of Music from The University of Arizona, and both a Masters in Music Theory Pedagogy and Doctorate of Musical Arts from North Dakota State University.
While in each of my programs at different schools I continued to perform in as many ensembles as I could. I have enjoyed the variety of music that I have been able to play from playing in marching bands to symphony orchestras, jazz bands to brass quintets, and everything else in between. I have been fortunate to have participated in some big performances most notably the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra as well as some fun spontaneous ones, like being the official bugler for the Fargo Horse Races or playing “Summertime” in the middle of winter while skiers descended a mountain with glow sticks. Every performance has helped shape my playing and deepened my enjoyment of trumpet playing.
How is the marching season going?
Great! The students have been working extremely hard and we’ve presented two successful performances at the first two home football games so far. We’ve also participated in a community event and an additional pep rally for the school.
What’s the highlight of the season so far?
The highlight for me was seeing the pre-game show for the first time on the field at band camp. It was a very hot and stressful week, but we all pushed through and seeing all the work of planning and setting drill and memorizing music come together on the field for the first time was very rewarding.
Everyone has an idea of what a marching band is. In your perspective, what is it that makes the marching band a rewarding experience for students?
Playing an instrument is hard work. It takes a lot of practice and persistence to perform well. In a marching band, not only do you have to perform on an instrument well, but you have to do it while marching around a football field making different shapes with others and staying in step, oh and did I mention the music needs to be memorized. What makes it a rewarding experience for students is practicing to perform well with your peers and pushing through together the day-to-day grind of setting drill, memorizing music, and being hot out in the sun builds lasting relationships with others that few other things can. We laugh, we cry, but in the end, we create something together that’s bigger than ourselves.
What is your long-range vision of the marching band?
First and foremost, to establish a tradition of excellence in performance. With a newer program like ours, each year the program has lacked consistency. Each August there has been a bit of a restart. I want to build not only a tradition of excellence in what we do and how we perform, but traditions that are meaningful to the students, the program, and the University that stick around year to year which lead to the growth of the program. The marching band is the most visible music ensemble on campus and to be able to have a marching band that fills the football field would be a sight to see.
What are you enjoying about your first semester at Utah Tech?
I have really enjoyed getting to know the other music faculty and learning from them. I have had a lot of questions as I’ve started here, and everyone has been eager and willing to help me out in any way they can.
What opportunities are there for students in our marching band?
In addition to the lasting friendships that are made and being a part of something truly big on campus, students are paid for each football game they perform at. That includes everyone, wind and brass players, drumline, and color guard. There are also opportunities for students to have leadership roles in the band and we sometimes are able to travel to away games.
What other classes do you teach or other duties that you have on campus?
In addition to directing the Athletic bands on campus I also have the privilege to teach applied trumpet lessons and brass area classes. I’m currently teaching the Brass Studies class which is a class for Music Majors which helps students learn all about brass instruments and how to play them. It’s rewarding seeing a voice student, for example, pick up a brass instrument for the first time and play a scale in just a few weeks.
Anything else you want to add?
I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the Utah Tech community and to work alongside supportive faculty and talented students. Music has always been a powerful force in my life, and it’s a joy to help others discover its impact. I’m excited for what’s ahead and look forward to building something meaningful and lasting here at Utah Tech.
From students
Allison Hansen
What makes marching band fun here at Utah Tech is the team bonding we do. Being able to connect with the people I perform with has helped shape me to become a better person and really enjoy what I do here. I also love that I am learning so many new skills and techniques that I have not learned previously before joining the team. The coaches have been nothing but determined, kind, and passionate towards this program that they love dearly. I feel honored to call myself a part of Utah Tech's Marching Band. I wish nothing but the best for the program in future years and continue to make history!
Alli Hansen, freshman clarinetist, general studies major
The marching band community has a lot of good people. Everyone comes to band for the same reason, to make music and put on a great show. Everyone always shows up with a positive attitude and effort to help each other be better. I love being able to play my instrument, entertain others, and get a little bit of physical activity in my day!
