By Natalie Gales ’25

In the 2022 Fall Term, the Shenandoah University Marching Band made its debut performance on Glo Fiber Field at Shentel Stadium. Ever since the band’s inception, the program has grown in size every year under the leadership of Director of Athletic Bands Shaun Evans, D.M.A., and Coordinator for Band Operations Libby Beller. While the first season showcased 75 marching Hornets, the 2025–26 season features a band nearly double the size.

This year is particularly special: the Class of 2026 makes up the first group of students who have spent their entire undergraduate careers in the band. Of the 134 students in the marching band, 13 have been there since day one, culminating in four years of building tradition, forming friendships and creating lasting memories.

Building Community

Among the original marching Hornets is Joshua “Josh” Pryor ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Music Education). Originally a trombonist, Pryor took on the role of drum major as a sophomore and has remained in the position ever since. Reflecting on the band’s growth, Pryor remarked, “The marching band has not just evolved in size, but also in community. We’ve really built a welcoming and inclusive group that everyone is involved in.”

Emma Shields ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Music Education) serves as the cymbals sub-section leader, and she shares the sentiment that the program is more than just a band. “Over the past four years, I have truly seen the group grow into one giant family that works together,” she said. “I feel way more connected to Shenandoah University and its community than I think I ever would’ve without the band. The marching band is there to support and uplift the community on campus and celebrate big or small events for everyone.”

Building Leadership

The marching band has grown in more than just size and community. The band has also given seniors the opportunity to grow as individuals. They’ve built their skillsets as musicians, leaders and role models for band rookies.

Sallie “Izzy” Miller ’26 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting) initially had doubts about her leadership abilities. “I wasn’t sure if I would be very good at leading my saxophone section,” she said, “but I applied anyway.” 

Miller earned the role of alto saxophone section leader, and she has spent the Fall 2025 Term leading other saxophonists in sectionals and on the field. She noted that her growth as a leader wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Dr. Evans and Beller. 

“It has been a wonderful opportunity to grow in my communication skills, to learn how to work with different kinds of people and to have accountability for myself,” Miller said. “I was grateful that Ms. Libby and Dr. Evans trusted me with the task.”

Jose Rivas ’26 (Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Musicianship & Entrepreneur Development) also saw the marching band as an opportunity to grow as an individual and as a musician. “I was not good at my instrument before marching band, and I wouldn’t even consider myself a guitarist coming into college,” Rivas admitted. Now that he’s a senior, Rivas has taken on the role of the rock band captain and performs lead guitar and vocals.

Similarly, Jessica “Jess” Yorke ’26 (Bachelor of Music in Music Education) has undergone significant transformation through the band program. Before her first year as a Hornet, Yorke had neither marched nor participated in color guard before. She now represents SU as the color guard and dance captain.

“This band has changed the trajectory of my life for the better,” Yorke said. “Being able to see myself grow as a person, along with the band, was single-handedly the best experience of my life. I have a love for color guard and marching band that will stick with me forever.”

Pryor said that, due to his experience in the marching band, he’s a “completely different person” than when he arrived at Shenandoah as a first-year student.

“I feel like my skills as a leader have greatly improved. I switched my whole major to music education after my first season as drum major, and I have become so much more confident in myself and how I work with other people,” he said.

Building Memories

SU’s marching band has been full of firsts: first steps onto the field, its first Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Grand Feature Parade appearance, the first international performance. It is these memories that have shaped the experiences of the seniors.

Yorke fondly remembers the moments leading up to her first football game performance, noting that it’s her favorite memory of being in the band. “Hearing us all chant SU on the field before the step off was epic. I had never seen a football field from that angle and perspective.” 

Likewise, Rivas recalls the band’s 2022 New Student Convocation performance as a highlight. “I just remember how excited I was when we played ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger’ and the entire room went crazy.”

For many seniors, it was the band’s international debut that took the cake. From Dec. 27, 2024, to Jan. 3, 2025, the marching band visited London to perform in the 2025 New Year’s Day Parade. Performing for audiences abroad was a one-of-a-kind experience for the Hornets, one filled with enthusiasm. 

“I remember being overwhelmed with emotion of how proud I was to share that experience with so many of my closest friends and peers,” said Pryor. “As we marched off, the chimes of Big Ben were ringing and I started crying tears of joy. It was a really powerful moment.”

Building Traditions

As much as the marching band has changed since its first year, the seniors hope to see many of their favorite traditions continue into the band’s future, creating fun and community for years to come. From chants yelled while storming onto the football field, to dances performed in parades, to the post-rehearsal ritual of singing the university alma mater, the Hornets come together to celebrate the fact that marching band is about more than just making music — it’s about people.

“I hope the band continues to hold the traditions and values that my peers and I created when setting the foundation of the band,” Shields said. She pointed to the Marching Band Halloween Costume Contest — an annual event in which students are invited to don costumes at band rehearsal — as one of her favorites.

Pryor added, “The leadership team has worked hard, especially during band camp, to build tradition and find a place for everyone in our community.” Tradition serves as a means of building camaraderie, of ensuring that all members of the band can call the program home.

Building a Legacy

So what’s next for the Shenandoah University marching band? The SU Film Department is set to shoot a documentary about the band throughout 2026, serving as a time capsule of the program’s growth. The feature film will span the upcoming spring, summer, and fall semesters.

In the meantime, the 2026 graduates intend to enjoy what remains of their marching band careers. Although the SU football season may be over, seniors can look forward to performing at the annual Holiday Gala and spring Apple Blossom Parade.

Beyond that, the graduating Hornets look forward to the band’s continued presence at SU and the Winchester community at large. As Miller puts it, “I hope the band continues to be a powerful force. I hope students find a sense of pride being involved in something bigger than themselves, because that certainly has been the case for me.”