New UTEP Band Director Changing Things Up

UTEP’s new band director said Miner fans are going to get quite a show this season.

“With the best collegiate marching program in the nation, are you in?…Yes!” – some inspiring words from the band’s new director, T. Andre Feagin.

But even before playing a single note, UTEP band members start practice with stretching exercises.

“It is easy to be good, it is difficult to be incredible,” said Feagin.

Every step is now under the new direction of the former band member himself, ” I’m honored to be a college professor today because when I was 13 years old I remember being in the marching band and remembering how influential that was for the rest of my life,” said Feagin.

The energetic director said the music and show is a major tradition, “And UTEP has a ton , that have been lost a little bit, we’re going to bring those and recapture those.”

And it seems the 200 student ensemble has caught some of his contagious energy, “I’m amazed because this is his first year and he seems like he’s been here for ages, like he’s part of the University,” said Victor Contreras.

They work day after day, with an understanding of their task at hand.

“Our number one mission is to serve those gentlemen in that uniform, to be their back bone, to be their support, both when things are good and when things are bad,” said Feagin.

This year’s marching Miners are more than a band, they’re part of the team.

“I’m so excited about the first game, Pine Bluff is going down,” said band member, Casey Unger.

The UTEP band promises a new pre-game performance that’s worth getting to the football game early for. The first game is Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.