EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — The UTEP Marching Miners are gearing up for their competition as the band heads to San Antonio next week to perform at the UIL 6A State Marching Contest.
The band will showcase their talents on Nov. 3 at the Alamodome, with a show themed “Hamilton” to mark the 10th anniversary of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical.
The performance will feature original drill design and musical arrangements.
Speaking to KFOX14/CBS4 on Wednesday, Brandon Houghtalen, director of athletic bands at UTEP, said the state competition is not only a special moment for the students, but highlights how hard the students in the band work towards.
“It’s a special thing that we’re glad that we can share with every member that comes to UTEP and gets an opportunity to do this right now, so it’s a really special thing for them. They are extremely dedicated. You know, in the marching miners, over half of the band members work a job in addition to going to college. The number of hours they work per week outside of school is extraordinary, and it’s one of the things that I respect about them the most is their work ethic and how hard they work,” Houghtalen said.
He added, “Anybody that looks at our students is going to see really a lot of talent, but they don’t know all of the hard work besides going to classes and doing the marching band thing. So I’m honored to be their teacher because they’re the hardest-working students I’ve ever worked with.”
Angel Ortega, drum major and field conductor of the UTEP marching band, expressed pride in the band’s program, adding that he feels the band is ready to represent El Paso in competition.
“We’ve worked very hard, and I think we have a program that embodies not only the university, but the El Paso community as well. I think we feel very satisfied with the work that not only our students have put into this show, but the support that we have from our teachers. We have awesome faculty and staff here, and I don’t think you can find faculty and staff like the ones we have here at UTEP and in the El Paso community,” Ortega told KFOX14/CBS4.
He added, “It feels great to represent the El Paso community and UTEP nationwide, so it’s gonna be awesome.”
With 250 members, the UTEP Marching Miners will be performing next Monday at the UIL 6A State Marching Contest in San Antonio.
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