Thanks to a generous supporter, The UTM Marching Band added a new “rolling billboard” trailer to its inventory this past summer in order to keep up with the band’s traveling needs.
With the reconstruction of the Fine Arts Building, the marching band had been displaced. This displacement created a need for a proper storage and traveling facility.
Before the addition of the new trailer, the band was using two old freight containers for storage, and would pay for a rental truck to carry the instruments on trips. Renting a truck every time the band traveled posed a problem since the rental truck was not properly equipped for individual instrument storage, and that could lead to safety issues.
The band is expecting to use the trailer for away trips, home games, practice, exhibition trips, and anything else where they are required to travel. They are also expecting to use the trailer for at least 30 years.
Carley Cherry, Sophomore Music major, said, “I love our new trailer because it keeps us all in one place, and it brings our band family even closer.”
“When we travel, it is very important that we look classy when representing our university,” said Dr. Nola Jones, Director of Bands. “It will also help UTM look better when hosting high school bands for competitions,” continued Jones.
Jones said a donor wanted to help UTM spread the name by having a “rolling billboard”. The Music Department had the largest need for a trailer, so they were able to receive the help.
UTM Alumni Bill Blankenship (Martin ’55), and his late wife Roberta (Martin ’55), donated the $10,000 to the university in order to purchase a used trailer to fix up for the marching band.
The Blankenships are major donors to the university, and have donated to numerous projects such as undergraduate research programs, the All-Steinway Campaign, as well as many others.
“These kinds of gifts lay the groundwork for phase two of the Fine Arts Building,” said Len Solomons, Vice Chancellor for University Advancement.
Phase two of the Fine Arts Building is expected to be paid for with private funds from various donors.
The outside wrapping was donated as a gift-in-kind, and Dana Hagan, Project Coordinator for the UTM Physical Plant, designed the inside of the trailer for proper storage of instruments during travel.
Members of the band are excited about using the new trailer this year. “It’s going to be easier to get our name out there more,” said Meagen Long, Senior Graphic Design major.
“We have a name now. The UT Martin Marching Band has a name with that new trailer,” said Monica Stepp, Junior Child and Family Studies major.
(Mary Jean Hall)
