WT Marching Band Takes on ‘Minecraft,’ Other Favorites in 2025 Shows

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — The world’s hottest videogame will inspire one of two marching shows this year for West Texas A&M University’s Buffalo Marching Band.

A “Minecraft”-themed show and one titled “Here’s Johnny,” featuring songs with “Johnny” in the title, will alternate as pregame and halftime shows beginning with the Sept. 4 home opener against Colorado School of Mines, said Dr. B.J. Brooks, director of the marching band and the WT School of Music.

“We are excited to bring a collection of new music that we haven’t played before with the ‘Minecraft’ show and some old favorites with ‘Johnny’,” Brooks said. “They both offer numerous opportunities for small ensemble and solos so our students can show off their talents on the field. There certainly will be something for everybody.”

The “Minecraft” show will incorporate music from the hit 2025 movie; the Coldplay single “Vida la Vida,” which is featured in a “Minecraft” meme; and sound effects from the game. Marchers will make favorite “Minecraft” shapes on the field, including the Lava Chicken and the Creeper.

The “Here’s Johnny” show will feature such songs as “Johnny One-Note,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again” and the “Jonny Quest” theme, among others.

The Sound of West Texas marching band is comprised of more than 140 music majors and nonmajors alike and is a longtime anchor of WT’s School of Music in the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities.

The band began a week of full-day rehearsals Aug. 18; percussion and color guard began Aug. 14.

Head drum major is Dillon Martin, a senior music performance major from Odessa.

Assistant drum majors are Damonusess “DJ” Brooks Jr., a senior music technology major from Houston; Michael Genera, a junior music education major from El Paso; Gaby Morales, a junior music education major from Wylie; and Isaiah Nañez, a senior music business major from Dumas.

Guard captain is Jazmyn McKell, a senior music therapy major from Allen. Guard co-captains are Nadia Jeter, a junior wildlife biology / pre-vet major from Amarillo; and Regan Rath, a junior elementary education major from Canyon. Guard captains assist Brooks in preparing their squad for performances.

Jack Montgomery, a senior music education major from College Station, is lead marching tech. The marching techs are responsible for organizing the marching and visual technique for the band, helping to teach and polish the marching show.

Band officers include Nañez, president; Melinda Thomas, a senior music education major from Amarillo, vice president; Adrian Perez, a sophomore music education major from Laredo, treasurer; Kevin Olivas, a junior digital media and communication major from Amarillo, historian; Bella Reddick, a freshman music therapy major from Guymon, Oklahoma, freshman representative; Orlando Moreno, a senior music technology major from Stamford, secretary; Brady Neese, a sophomore music performance major from Amarillo, sophomore representative; Gabriel Johnson, a junior music education major from Lipan, junior representative; and Mackenzie Stephenson, a senior music performance major from Melissa, senior representative.

Assistant marching band directors are Dr. Ryan Boehme, assistant professor of music, and David Lough, instructor of trumpet.

Fostering an appreciation of the arts and campus spirit are key components of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign’s new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $170 million.

About West Texas A&M University

A Regional Research University, West Texas A&M University is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. A Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, WT boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 66 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The University also is home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

Photo: The Sound of West Texas Buffalo Marching Band leadership team for 2025-2026 includes, front from left, Melinda Thomas, vice president; Adrian Perez, treasurer; Damonusess “DJ” Brooks Jr., assistant drum major; Dillon Martin, drum major; Isaiah Nañez, president and assistant drum major; Gaby Morales, assistant drum major; and Bella Reddick, freshman representative; and, back from left, Mackenzie Stephenson, senior representative; Brady Neese, sophomore representative; Orlando Moreno, secretary; Kevin Olivas, historian; Nadia Jeter, guard co-captain; Regan Rath, guard co-captain; and Jazmyn McKell, guard captain.

—WT—