Bernabe Martinez

What is your role on the band?
Section leader

What instrument do you play?
Trombone

How does it feel to be part of the inaugural marching band at UTRGV?
It feels overall amazing. It is truly an honor to be part of the first ever UTRGV Marching Band!

What drove you to try out for UTRGV Marching Band?
As a music major, I am very passionate when it comes to making music. I really love marching band due to the reason that I participated in it in high school.

What does being a part of this band mean to you?
Being part of this band gives me the opportunity to not only teach, but learn and improve in my leadership skills. Being part of the inaugural marching band also gives me the opportunity to set the standard for the marching bands that come after the first.

Why did you choose to play your instrument?
My uncle played the trombone in high school, so I wanted to be just like him. It first started as a discipline, but now I enjoy playing my instrument. During high school, many of my band directors, including Rodrigo Leal, inspired me to continue my music career. Hence the reason I love music.

What are you most looking forward to while performing in the band?
I’m really looking forward to the games, the crowds, but most importantly I want to showcase what the UTRGV Marching Band is capable of. I want us to be known as the “Valley's Best Marching Band.”

What is something about marching band that most people may not know?
It is very difficult due to the reason that you must both play music by memory and march while trying to find yourself in the formation. Let alone marching band is a sport!

What advice do you have for fellow band students pursuing their degrees?
Whatever degree you are pursuing, make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Make sure you can say you love what you are studying. And most importantly, be determined and be motivated.

What do you hope to achieve after graduating from UTRGV?
After graduating from UTRGV, I aspire to become either an assistant band director or a head band director if that opportunity is given to me. I plan to teach either at a high school or at a university.