Pride of the Rockies Marching Band
Welcome to Colorado’s premier collegiate marching organization! Made up of over 150 members, the Pride is a fun and exciting non-competitive organization built on showmanship, teamwork, and musicianship of the members. The ensemble consists of woodwind, brass, and percussion instrumentalists and is accompanied on the field by the wonderful Sugar Bears Dance Team.
You do not need to be a music major to be a member of the band, and there is no pre-requisite audition to get in. It’s not just hard work; we have a lot of fun, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to make music with other students and promote school pride!
If you are planning on attending UNC and would like more information on performing with the Pride of the Rockies in future seasons or just want to learn more about the ensemble, please send an email to marchingband@unco.edu.
linkMARCHING BAND CAMP INFORMATION & REGISTRATION2021 SEASON SCHEDULESugar Bears Dance Team2022 BAND STAFF
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to be a music major to participate in the Pride of the Rockies?
A: Nope! The Pride welcomes participants of all majors.
Q: Is there an audition process to be a member of the Pride of the Rockies?
A: Nope! The Pride accepts anyone who is interested and wants to have fun! There will be a seat placement audition during band camp, but anyone is welcome to join.
Q: How do I join the Pride of the Rockies, and what is the time commitment?
A: To officially become a member, you must register for the class (MUS 292/492) and complete the Marching Band Registration form (see Marching Band Camp/Registration tab to right). Rehearsals/classes meet during the fall semester on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4:40pm – 6:40pm. Other time commitments include but are not limited to: Band Camp (required), home football games, homecoming parade and bonfire, and one away trip.
Q: Is the Pride of the Rockies a competitive band?
A: College bands typically don’t compete. The Pride of the Rockies is a fun and exciting non-competitive organization built on showmanship, teamwork, and musicianship of the members.
Q: Does the Pride of the Rockies Marching Band have a Color Guard section?
A: No, we don’t. We perform at all home/away games and exhibition performances with our Sugar Bears Dance Team! Please check out their tab on the right for more information and how to audition for next season.
2022 Band Staff
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Leadership
DANIEL FARR
Associate Director of BandsDr. Daniel Farr, Assistant Professor of Music and Associate Director of Bands at the University of Northern Colorado, received his Bachelor's and Master of Music Education degrees from Florida State University and a DMA in Conducting from The Ohio State University. His teaching responsibilities at UNC include conducting the Symphonic Band, the undergraduate instrumental conducting track, and directing the acclaimed “Pride of the Rockies” Marching Band. He studied conducting with Russel Mikkelson, Patrick Dunnigan, Richard Clary, and Alex Jimenez, and clarinet with Deborah Bish. Dr. Farr served as a band director in the public schools of Florida for 10 years before pursuing his doctorate. Ensembles under Dr. Farr's direction consistently earned Superior ratings at Marching Music Performance Assessment, District and State Solo and Ensemble, as well as District and State Concert MPA.
Research interests for Dr. Farr include commissioning new music for the wind band medium, best practices for middle and high school bands, and mental health awareness for music educators. He is actively sought after as a concert clinician and clarinet pedagogue. Daniel Farr’s professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, the Florida Music Educators Association, Colorado Music Educators Association, Colorado Bandmasters Association, and NAfME: the National Association for Music Education.
CHRISTIAN KUHLMAN
PercussionistChristian Kuhlman is a percussionist, pianist, educator, and composer from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, and is currently based in Northern Colorado.
He is a proponent of theatrical, experimental, and collaborative works, hoping to provide audiences a curated space to consider how art interacts with their daily life. Passionate about new music, Christian is proud to commission and be a part of consortiums for many composers including Annika Socolofsky, Niko Schroeder, Kevin Day, and Louis Raymond-Kolker.
As a versatile performer, Christian has performed as a member of the Quincy (IL) Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Collins (CO) Symphony, and a number of local and university chamber ensembles, wind ensembles, and orchestras. Christian has also performed as a member of the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, as well as alongside world-renowned artists Bernard Woma, Victor Provost, and Sō Percussion, during the 2019 Sō Percussion Summer Institute.
As an educator, Christian currently serves as the Percussion Instructor for the University of Northern Colorado Pride of the Rockies Marching Band. He recently served as the Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Colorado State University percussion studio, where he taught chamber music, world music, private lessons, and was also the Assistant Director of Marching Percussion for the CSU Marching Band. He has also made appearances as a clinician and educator around Missouri and Colorado for students of all ages.
Christian holds an M.M. from Colorado State University and B.M. from Truman State University. His primary instructors have included Eric Hollenbeck, Shilo Stroman, Michael Bump, Nick Petrella, Lok Ng, and Anne Becker.
