Kansas Wesleyan University will launch a marching band program in the fall of 2026, adding to the Music Department’s wide range of ensemble and performance opportunities for Coyote students.
“Having a marching band at KWU will not only support our university’s enrollment and Music Department goals, but it will also enhance our athletic gameday experience while highlighting our commitment to advancing the university brand on all fronts,” said Ken Oliver, executive vice president.
This will be the first time Kansas Wesleyan has a marching band in nearly a decade, and much like other KWU groups, it will provide opportunities for continuous improvement and personal growth.
“Marching band opens doors for our department and for Kansas Wesleyan as an institution,” said Michelle Dolan, executive director of music. “We’re proud of how our department has grown by embracing the campus community, and nothing creates ties between music and athletics like a marching band. We look forward to seeing this group grow in the years to come!”
“At KWU, we want any musician who will work hard, engage with their bandmates and put their best efforts in every day,” said Jake Montoya ’05, who will lead the marching band. We want to see musicians grow, and we want to see students fall more in love with music during their time as a Coyote. This is our philosophy as a department. For marching band, it means that we have opportunities for band members at different levels, with varying degrees of experience, and we want to hear from anyone interested in the program.”
Scholarships specific to the program will be available and will be announced soon.
For additional information on the marching band program, contact Montoya at [email protected].
