Marching Mules

The Marching Mules are led by Dr. Scott Lubaroff, Director of Bands. Dr. Lubaroff came to UCM in the fall of 2005, following four years as Associate Director of Bands at Kansas State University.  Dr. Lubaroff oversees UCM’s entire band program, and in addition to directing the Marching Mules, also conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting and music education, and supervises student teachers.

Assisting with the Marching Mules are Dr. Michael Sekelsky (left), Percussion Professor and Assistant Director of Bands and Dr. David Stagg (right), Professor of Trombone and Associate Director of Bands. Dr. Sekelsky begins his 26th year with the marching band and percussion programs at UCM and Dr. Stagg enters his 29th year on the music faculty.

 

Both in their second year, Graduate Teaching Assistants with the UCM Bands are Tremon Kizer (left) and Allen Hisken. Tremon is a 2002 graduate of Kansas State University (BME) and former Director of Bands at Goodland High School and Coffeyville Community College, in Kansas. Allen is also a graduate of K-State (2004), and comes to us after four years as instrumental and vocal music director in Udall, Kansas.

The Marching Mules are proud to showcase Ms. Shelby Stark from Carrollton, Missouri as Feature Twirler! Shelby is a junior in UCM's nursing program. She is currently ranked 11th in the nation, and is the defending National Strut Champion and three-time reigning Miss Majorette of Missouri. Shelby is also a past (2007) Intermediate Missouri State Solo champion. She also placed 5th nationally in the beginner 2006 Miss Majorette of America pageant, and was her division's beginner 2006 World Open Solo champion.

Drum Line Coordinator is Tess Schurder, a senior music education major from Lee's Summit who has quickly established a reputation as a percussion specialist, finding herself in high demand by area school marching programs, including Lee's Summit, Higginsville, and Fort Osage. Equally at home with batterie or front-line, Tess has already been a field leader with the UCM Drum Line for three seasons.

 

Andrea Robinson is Captain and Coordinator for the 2009 Marching Mules Color Guard. Andrea is a junior music education major from Warrensburg. She has already coordinated area color guards at Smith-Cotton and Knob Noster High Schools, and has consulted for Warrensburg High School and UCM. Andrea has experience with both field and indoor guards - both with flag and weapon equipment.

 

The Marching Mules return all three of our Drum Majors from the 2008 season. They are (l to r) Sarah Brown, Jacob Crawford, and Kristin Rode. Sarah is a senior music education (clarinet) major and from Boonville High School, Jacob is a senior music education (trombone) major from Fort Osage High School in Independence, and Kristin is a junior music education (bass clarinet) major from Warrensburg High School.

 

2009 Senior Assistant is Alex Caselman, a senior music education major from Lee's Summit West High School, and former member of the Madison Scouts drum corps. Alex was a team leader with the Marching Mules' Trumpet Section for two season prior to moving to the band staff. He has also worked as a brass technician on the staff of the Odessa (MO) High School Band of Distinction.