Former UMMB graduate assistant Megan Cooney was recently featured on Band Director Boot Camp (Season 4, Episode 17), where she shared insights from her unique experience building collegiate marching band programs from the ground up.
Now Director of Athletic Bands at Rowan University, Cooney joined host Lesley Moffat for a conversation titled “From Scratch to Stadium: What It Really Takes to Build a College Band Program.” Drawing from her experience launching programs at both St. Ambrose University and Rowan, Cooney offered listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of college band leadership.
The episode challenges common perceptions of the profession, highlighting how collegiate band directors often function as administrators, project managers, and entrepreneurs in addition to musicians and educators. Cooney discussed everything from budgeting, equipment management, and uniform design to recruiting students, developing leadership structures, and planning for the demands of game day.
Among the topics explored were the significant operational responsibilities facing collegiate band directors, the differences between high school and college support systems, and the critical role student leadership plays in building successful programs. Cooney also emphasized the need for greater collaboration and resource-sharing among collegiate band directors, particularly for those entering the profession.
For anyone interested in music education, athletic bands, or leadership in higher education, the episode provides an engaging look at a career path that is often overlooked but essential to the student experience on campuses across the country.
Congratulations to Megan on sharing her expertise with a national audience and helping shine a light on the work that goes into building and sustaining successful collegiate band programs.