CCSU Is Getting The Band Back Together

CCSU

NEW BRITAIN, CT — No, its not a sequel to the classic comedy The Blues Brothers, but Central Connecticut State University is getting "the band back together."

And the New Britain-based university in Central Connecticut is willing to make it worth musicians' efforts to sign up.

"This fall, the Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) football field will be alive with the sound of crushing tackles, cheering fans and music when the CCSU Marching Band returns for the first time since 2019, accompanied by the color guard," wrote CCSU.

As an incentive to music and non-music majors alike, the CCSU Music Department is offering $1,000 scholarships to students who join the marching band and participate in band activities throughout the full school year.

Students also can receive $500 scholarships for joining the color guard.

The COVID-19 pandemic and staff turnover delayed the band’s return.

Dr. James Minnix of Longmeadow, Mass., a new faculty member at CCSU, will take up his baton to lead the marching band and teach in the CCSU Music Department.

“We are very excited to have this amount of scholarship money available and it’s my understanding that this is the first time we had this amount of money to give out to students,” Minnix said. “As we try to rebuild the marching band program, having these scholarships is going to be a big help.”

Drew Benard, a music education major from Wallingford who plays the flute, said he is excited for the return of the marching band.

“Marching band was a big reason why I came here,” Bernard said. “CCSU was the only school that checked off all my boxes. It’s the only one of the four state colleges with a marching band.”

Central approved the distribution of 50 of the $1,000 scholarships for any students who join the marching band. Graduate students can also join the marching band and receive the scholarships.

“I think the scholarships are really great and show our commitment to rebuilding the program, especially in a school like CCSU,” said CCSU Music Department Chairman Dr. Charles Menoche. “A lot of our students have to work. Hopefully the scholarships will make it easier if a student has to make a decision between work and joining the marching band.”

To learn more about the CCSU marching band, color guard and the scholarships, contact Menoche at menochec@ccsu.edu or call the music department at 860-832-2912.